Fire-ring cuisine can be more than just hamburgers and hot dogs.
Cooking outdoors over an open flame is an experience most of us only get to enjoy while camping out. However, open-flame preparation is healthy and flavorful enough to cook this way year round. Unlike a stove top with dials to control heat, the heat of an open fire is changed by controlling the fire and the food's distance from the flame. If you are lucky enough to have a fire ring in your backyard, give the oven and gas grill a break and try cooking over flame and coals. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Layer twigs over sheets of crumpled newspaper in the center of the fire ring. Alternate the direction of the twigs with each layer to maximize air flow. Cover the entire interior space of the ring.
2. Fill a bucket with water and keep it nearby to extinguish flames if the fire grows out of control.
3. Light the paper by sticking the end of the stick lighter in the center of the pit and pressing the button to light.
4. Add firewood to the pit once the kindling is burning. Place the pieces of wood evenly over the flames.
5. Put the grill over the pit when the flames are low and most of the coals are white.
6. Scrub potatoes and poke holes all over them with a fork. Lightly oil and season the skin with salt and pepper before wrapping them securely in aluminum foil with the shiny side of the foil facing in. Wearing potholder gloves, place the wrapped potatoes directly on the hot coals. Turn them occasionally with tongs. They will take about 50 minutes to cook.
7. Peel back the corn husks. Brush corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Replace the husks and wrap the cobs in aluminum foil with the shiny side facing in. Place the corn cobs on the grill and turn occasionally. They will be done in 25 to 30 minutes, when the kernels are tender.
8. Brush room-temperature steaks with olive oil. Season both sides of the meat and place them directly on the grill. Flip the steaks with tongs after five minutes to sear the other side. The steak can take 10 to 25 minutes, depending on its thickness and how well you like it cooked. Check doneness with a meat thermometer.
9. Remove food from the grill and coals when finished cooking. If you will not be using the fire later, pour water on the coals to put the fire out.
Tags: aluminum foil, aluminum foil with, fire ring, foil with, foil with shiny, salt pepper
