Elementary Chef

Just in time for Memorial Day, we have a BBQ contest! If you haven’t fired up your grill yet, Memorial Day is the day for it. Whether it’s for burgers, brats or chicken, you’ll get an easy meal that will please the crowds.

For millions of Americans, Memorial Day marks the beginning of a three-month homage to the grill. As outdoor temperatures rise, so does the frequency of hitting the grates for mealtime solutions and palate satisfaction. According to a new “Grilling Across America” survey conducted by the National Pork Board, grilling is hot - - 64 percent of grillers are firing up the flames more than twice a week. The secret to their sizzlin’ success: 85 percent of the grillers said they don’t use a recipe.

Pork tenderloin is one of the grill’s best-kept secrets because of its versatility and leanness. Requiring little preparation and a cooking time of less than 30 minutes, it is the ideal cut for any occasion, especially easy weeknight meals. Not only is pork
tenderloin well- suited for grilling and pairs well with nearly any flavor, it is the leanest cut of pork with only 2.98 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving, making it as lean as a skinless chicken breast.

To uncover grilling secrets in all regions and the trick of doing it without a recipe, the National Pork Board invites backyard cooks from every neck of the woods to share their regionally-inspired, quick and easy menu creations with the Grilling Grates From the 50 States “no recipe” contest. From May 21 through July 12, throw your tongs into the ring by visiting TheOtherWhiteMeat.com to submit a five-ingredient-or-less pork tenderloin recipe that best shows off your region’s favorite flavor.

Five finalists will be selected by the National Pork Board based on:

— regional creativity
— best mouth-watering appeal
— ease of preparation
They will be posted on TheOtherWhiteMeat.com beginning August 1, when America will vote for its favorite recipe to be named the grand prize winner.

The grand prize winner will receive a new Weber(R) Q300(TM) grill and an all-expense-paid trip to Steven Raichlen’s Barbecue University. There, the winner will join other grilling aficionados to hone skills in barbecuing, smoking and grilling. Four lucky runners-up also will receive a new Weber(R) Q300(TM) grill along with $300 in pork gift certificates.

bbq, barbecue, cooking, contest, grill