Obsessive, Compulsive BBQ
It happens way too often where we are absolutely hungry and ready to eat. We look all around the cabinets and refrigerator for what to make, yet nothing seems to satisfy us. Or there is just too much around us that we just can’t decide on what to do or what to eat. Yes this happens quite a lot. Well let me tell you that if you are having trouble trying to figure out what to eat than look no further! I have dinner ideas made ready just for you, so get your grill ready because tonight is the night that you are finally using that grill that has began to collect dust in the backyard. Yes, I said it. Tonight is BBQ night and wait til you get a look at all the delicious snacks, dinners, sides, and desserts that I have in store. You will keep yourself wondering on why it took you so long to finally realize the beauty behind barbequed food. I mean let’s face it, more than half of America seems to have a hard time getting over barbequed food and the deliciousness that it brings. Why are people so obsessed with barbequed food? What is so great about it that makes traditional cooking methods seem like a boring, pile of blah! Before we get into the amazing and wonderful concepts and food ideas that I have lined up for your BBQ feast, let’s do a quick dive into why America is obsessed with a good BBQ and why you should be too!
The Obsession with a BBQ
It Activates Science
It feels like in order to answer the question behind America’s OCB or Obsessive, Compulsive, BBQ it seems like our investigation must begin with a little unearthing of studies and scientific facts. We must first examine, the science behind why grilled meat tastes so good to us. You would actually be very surprised to know that majority of what we taste and perceive as flavor, actually comes from the aroma that the food gives us. Our attraction and appeal towards food begins with how the food smells, and let’s be honest here, barbequed food has a very distinct smell that is for sure! When food is thrown on the grill to brown, a reaction known as the Maillard Reaction occurs. During this reaction, the smell that is given off activates your saliva ducts and makes you salivate almost instantly. Those saliva ducts facilitate the transference of chemicals that will end up activating your taste buds, This reaction can also occur through smoking and caramelization. Flavors of food in general are developed differently based on how heat is applied. This is why food grilled in an oven, on a grill, or cooked in a microwave, can all have very extremely different tastes. When heat is applied to food via a grill and caramelization begins to happen, proteins break down into amino acids which then react with carbohydrates that are present. When this happens roasted vegetables become more sweet and meat becomes more savory, making the taste and scent of the product absolutely satisfying to us. We begin to crave it. Put this in addition to how the meat is marinated, cooked, and what it is cooked with and it is no wonder that so many people are obsessed with a good barbequed meal whether that be at the home grill or a restaurant.
It Is an Outdoor Activity
The obsession behind a BBQ may not always have to deal with smell. It can also deal with other things. One other example as to why people love a good BBQ can be linked to the fact that BBQ are an outside activity that is meant for the outdoors. BBQs don’t happen inside the house and I can imagine that if that were the case then people wouldn’t be as obsessed with BBQ as they are right now. Many scientists and studies have shown that being in the outdoors, without a doubt, has a serious impact on our mind, body, and soul as opposed to being indoors. For starters this can be linked to the fact that being outside lowers our stress levels. Judith Heerwagon, a Seattle based environmental psychologist, states “Just looking at a garden or trees or going for a walk, even if it’s in your own neighborhood, reduces stress.” She then continues on by saying “I don’t think anyone understands why, but there’s something about being in a natural setting that shows clear evidence of stress reduction, including physiological evidence-such as a lower heart rate.” Maybe people who enjoy BBQs love the idea of relieving stress and for that reason many Americans turn to this activity often. The outdoors can also be related to positive moods. People naturally feel happy towards things that feel like they are meant to protect and comfort us. Trees provide us with shade and in some cases can provide us with food such as nuts and fruits. Naturally people are happy towards things that aid in their survival and make them feel protected. It lifts our spirits and moods and makes us feel a lot happier. This could be another reason as to why so many look forward to a good BBQ. It provides us with delicious food all while making us a lot happier when we are feeling down or upset. Not to mention, the sun from outside provides us with Vitamin D, which is absolutely necessary for a healthier functioning person! Vitamin D aids in bone growth, cell growth, inflammation reduction, and neuromuscular and immune function. Besides let’s face it. There is just something addictive about quality food and enjoying those golden rays of sun!
Delicious BBQ Foods to Try!
Now that we have delved into the science and research behind the reasons why America suffers from OCB or obsessive compulsive BBQ, it is now time to offer the grand list of amazing BBQ foods to try. This list is a huge way to help you get started on your BBQ feast with tons and tons of examples of BBQ appetizers, drinks, entrees, sides, and desserts to try. With this list, you will easily have no problem coming up with an amazing BBQ feast that everyone from all over town will be talking about. Hey maybe this list will offer an even deeper insight as to why we love our BBQ.
The Grand List of BBQ Appetizers to Try!
- Mini Chicken and Pineapple Skewers
- Mini Cheeseburger Sliders
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Deep Fried Mac’n’Cheese Balls
- Lettuce Wraps
- Gucamole and Chips
- Chips and Salsa
- Mango Salsa
- Grilled Shrimp
- Glazed Wings
- Queso and Chips
- Veggies and Hummus
- Jalapeno Cheese Poppers
- BBQ Brie with Cut Bread
- Zesty Nachos
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
The Grand List of BBQ Entrees to Try!
- Grilled Lamb Chops
- Grilled Pizza (that’s a new one for sure!)
- Flat Iron Steak
- Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Lamb Sandwiches
- Pimento Cheese Burger
- Bourbon BBQ Chicken Kebab
- Veggie Burgers with Lime Salsa
- Turkey Burger with Smoked Cheddar Aioli
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Grilled Steak and Herb Sauce
- Grilled Farmers Market Sandwich
- Fish Tacos
- Cajun Shrimp Kebabs
- Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Asparagus
- Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa
The Grand List of BBQ Sides to Try!
- Tangy Maple Black Beans with Bacon
- Cheddar and Chive Biscuits
- Sweet Potato Salad
- Greek Salad
- Creamy Corn Hush Puppies
- Parmesan and Herb Mashed Potatoes
- Spicy and Buttery Corn on the Cob
- Roasted Vegetable Platter
- Crunchy Skillet Mac n cheese
- Sauteed Greens
- Cole slaw
- Corn Casserole
- Loaded Zucchini
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Fried Pickles
- Roasted Loaded Potatoes
- Onion Rings
- Grilled Ranch Cheese potatoes
The Grand List of BBQ Drinks to Try!
- Sweet tea
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Strawberry lemonade
- Limeade
- Lemonade
- Fruit Infused Waters
- Mango Juice (so refreshing!)
- Pina Colada
- Fruit Punch
- Homemade Orange Juice
- Raspberry Iced Tea
The Grand List of BBQ Desserts to Try!
- Chocolate Lava Cake
- Cheesecake
- Apple Pie with Ice Cream
- Salted Caramel Cake
- Beignets
- Funnel Cakes
- Marshmallow Dream Bars
- Iced Mocha with Whipped Cream
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Vanilla Bean Scones
- Macaroons
- Oreo Churros
- Horchata (so amazing!)
Extra Grilling Tips to Make the Best BBQ Yet!
- Take your meat out about 20 minutes before cooking. That way the meat is at room temperature when it is ready to be placed on the grill! Otherwise you will be left with freezing cold meat that will not grill evenly or heat properly at all! Talk about a nightmare!
- Keep out an observant eye for what is known as marbling! Marbling is when you see thin white streaks of fat on the meat. This is perfect because it keeps the meat nice and juicy while also locking in a lot of flavor and moisture. (Marbling is for steaks only, so don’t look for it on your chicken because you will see nothing!)
- Preheat is essential to a good grill. You cannot put your meat immediately on the grill after you just turned it on. That will make for dry and tough meat that is not enjoyable to consume. Make sure to preheat ahead of time and test the heat out. You know the heat is good when you can’t keep your hand over the grates for more than 2 seconds,
- Try not to get flipper happy with your meat and move it around too much. Meat needs time to grill. You need to let it rest on the grill and cook so that your meat can develop a good crust on the grill. Failure to do this will result in you flipping the meat and the meat sticking to the grates because it was not ready to be turned over!
- Once you have finished grilling, do not go straight into slicing the meat, right off the bat. You need to wait it out a couple of minutes, preferably five, and then start slicing the meat. When you do this then you allow the juices a chance to settle into the meat.
- Give your grill grate a good cleaning. It is what it needs to give you the best meat you can grill. Before placing your meat on the grill, scrub the grates down to remove any remains that may be in the way, Wipe them down with oil and you are good to go. Good grill maintenance is key to having the best grilling results.
Hopefully this article gave you a lot of insight into the ins and outs of BBQ and why America suffers from OCB, but honestly doesn’t care. I mean why should we care if we suffer from obsessive, compulsive, BBQ? I mean it means getting delicious smoky meat, creamy sides, refreshing drinks, and a good excuse to get out in the sun and relax for a bit. There is no need to fret over being obsessed with a BBQ. I mean your human, so it would be weird if you weren’t obsessed with grilled foods and outdoor fun. Take the list of BBQ foods and give them a fun try! All foods are seriously delicious and mouthwatering, and are extremely easy to make. Whether the family is hungry, you are feeling stressed, or unhappy, there is never an excuse as to why you can’t have a good BBQ feast with the family. It’s a good way for all of America to relax and spend time with the people you love because let’s face it, we work hard and time seems to always run out. It’s always hard to find time to spend with the people we love, while also giving ourselves time to relax as well. I mean it’s only logical to find that time while you do the daily routine of eating? Killing two birds with one stone. See? Not only is barbequing delicious, it’s smart as well.
