Cómo preparar una bandeja para la parrilla y disfrutar de barbacoas sin estrés
Una buena barbacoa requiere buen clima, buenos amigos y buena comida, y preparar todo con antelación evita correr de la parrilla a la cocina.
Whoever is in charge of the grill wants everything to go smoothly without sacrificing the fun. The best way to achieve this is to plan ahead: gather the utensils, all the necessary kitchen equipment, and the prepared food. In other words, have everything ready.
Even if the grill is near the kitchen, on the porch, or in the patio, going back and forth takes time. Preparing a baking tray in the kitchen allows you to have everything you need within easy reach, prevents food from burning while you search for something in a drawer or refrigerator, and leaves more time to enjoy with friends.
A baking sheet is ideal because it's washable, resists splashes and juices, and withstands heat without melting, even near the grill. Its 1-inch (2.5 cm) raised edges on all four sides prevent ingredients and tongs from slipping when moving from the stovetop to the barbecue area. Cookie sheets, on the other hand, usually only have raised edges on one or two sides.
It's a good idea to dedicate one side of the tray to the ingredients, vegetables, and marinades, and the other to the utensils. The basics include tongs, a spatula for turning the meat, a brush or brick for cleaning the grill, a meat thermometer, salt and pepper, a couple of kitchen towels, aluminum foil to cover the cooked meat, and a container of oil for greasing the grill. Clean gloves and paper towels are useful for catching spills.
As extras, a silicone brush is perfect for spreading barbecue sauce or marinade, and a small frying pan is ideal for cooking small pieces, such as chopped onions, or for frying eggs to accompany the burgers. For slicing, a cutting board can be placed under the grill and brought out, along with a knife and a long grilling fork. A cold drink completes the set.
A second tray can hold plates, condiments, napkins, and side dishes, so you can take everything to the patio or picnic table at once. When you're finished, the trays can be used to stack everything and store it inside.
