Handy Hints for Barbecue Grilling:

· Be organised: have everything you need ready and at hand before you start grilling - Go through your food plan; think food ingredients, marinades, seasonings, equipment and tools. Cover food to protect against flies and sun.

· Don't use a fork and never stab the food when turningit is best to use a pair of tongs to grip and turn. When you stab the meat with a fork, you will allow tasty juices to drain away into the fire which then can spit and develop aggressive flames.

· Food cooks faster under a covered grill

· You don't need to marinate tender cuts of meat overnight; they can be marinated in as little as 15 minutes! Less tender meats need to be marinated at least 6 hours.

· If using wooden skewers, soak in water thirty minutes before using so ends won't burn during grilling time.

Beer-Marinated Chicken Tacos

Thanks to Weber barbecues

For the marinade:
A little less than half a pint dark Mexican beer.
2 tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon course salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 4 ounces each

For the guacamole:
2 ripe avocados
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
¼ teaspoon course salt
6 flour or corn tortillas, 6 to 7 inches in diameter

To make the marinade: In a small bowl whisk together the marinade ingredients.

Rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place them in a large, plastic resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out of the bag and seal tightly. Turn the bag to distribute the marinade, place the bag in a bowl, and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, turning the bag occasionally.

To make the guacamole: Cut the avocados lengthwise around the pits, twist the halves apart, and remove the pits. Scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and salt. Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash the ingredients together. Cover with plastic wrap, placing it directly on the surface to prevent browning, and refrigerate until about 1 hour before serving.

Remove the chicken thighs from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill the chicken thighs over Direct Medium heat until the meat is firm and the juices run clear, 8 to 10 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cut the thighs into thin strips.

Warm the tortillas over Direct Medium heat for about 1 minute, turning once halfway through grilling time. Pile the sliced chicken inside the tortillas. Top each taco with a spoonful of guacamole. Serve warm.

Makes 4 to 6 servings
Pour a glass of soft red wine with lots of fruit, such as a California Pinot Noir.

A dark Mexican beer tastes just right for this grilled apertiser

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