Father's Day: Make dinner special, right off the grill

Ultimate Montreal Steak with Grilled Potato Wedges

Father’s Day is fast approaching and unlike Mother’s Day, it isn’t so much about making reservations at a favorite restaurant, but more about the backyard – backyard grilling that is. Given the choice, I’m betting a lot of dads would prefer a little grilling at home over the restaurant. 

McCormick can lend a hand with that - and help you take your grilling to the next level. McCormick Grill Mates & Lawry’s Flavor Forecast 2013: Grilling Edition - offers top tastes, trends and techniques for the griller in your family.

Perhaps you’re looking for that perfect marinade. Smokin’ Sweet Tea Marinade and this simple technique will have your steak, chicken or pork on the grill in 5 minutes. Start by placing your steak, chicken or pork with the marinade in a resealable plastic bag. Push air out of the bag and seal tightly. Massage the meat for 5-minutes, turning the bag over often so meat absorbs most of the marinade. Remove the meat and grill. Discard remaining marinade.

Maybe a good old fashioned hamburger, hot dog or sausage grill is on the menu. Why not try some DIY  (Do-it-yourself) condiments to add a little pazazz to a traditional favorite.

A half cup of mayo with 1 tsp. grill mates smokehouse maple seasoning will go nicely with your grilled hamburger. A half cup of Dijon mustard with 1 tsp of dill weed or one cup of ketchup with 1 tbsp. of perfect pinch Cajun seasoning will give you a whole new outlook on your hot dog or sausage.

McCormick offers these basic DIY Condiments and more at Grilling Flavor Forecast.

According to the experts, these top seven flavors will be the hit this grilling season. I have to agree with the experts, any of these flavors will bring something a little special to the grill for Father’s Day.

Sweet Tea: Give marinades and sauces a touch of the South.

Smoked Tomato: For your DIY condiments to give that extra flavor to your meats, pizza and salads.

Oregano: A taste of the Mediterranean for your grill. Great for grilled breads and more.

White Peach: This just sounds like a perfect way to enjoy summer grilling.

Whiskey: You’ll want to bring out this when you want to spend more time at the grill – enjoying that slow, take-your-time grilling and bring out that bold flavor.

Ginger: When a little Asian flare is called for. And don’t forget about dessert on the grill!

Pecan Wood: Does this sound nutty? You bet! Bring this out when grilling chicken and pork for a unique nutty flavor.

And when the dad in your family has his sights on a thick, juicy steak – bring out McCormick’s new variety of Grill Mates Steak Sauces: Montreal Steak – with a blend of all-natural spices and herbs including ground black pepper, red pepper and coriander or New Smoky Montreal Steak - to give it that “off the grill” smoke flavor.

Whatever the forecast may be for your Father’s Day, with McCormick’s new Grill Mates and seasonings along with some excellent technique tips – it’s sure to be a special day for the “special dad” in your home.

Looking for a couple recipe ideas – try these:

Backyard Brick Oven Pizza Burgers

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

Backyard Brick Oven Pizza Burgers/Photos courtesy of McCormick

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 tablespoon McCormick® Grill Mates® Backyard Brick Oven Seasoning
1/2 cup pizza sauce
6 ciabatta rolls

2 plum tomatoes, each cut into 6 thin slices

Directions:
Mix ground beef, 1/2 cup of the cheese and Seasoning in large bowl until well blended. Shape into 6 patties.
Grill burgers over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F). Top burgers with pizza sauce and remaining 1/2 cup cheese 1 minute before cooking is completed.
Serve burgers on rolls. Top with tomato slices and sprinkle with additional Seasoning, if desired.

Roasted Garlic Grilled Vegetables
Ingredients
8 cups assorted cut-up vegetables, such as zucchini, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers
2 tablespoons oil

Roasted Garlic Grilled Vegetables

1 tablespoon McCormick® Grill Mates® Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning

Directions
Toss vegetables with oil and Seasoning in large bowl.
Place vegetables in grill basket, grill rack or thread onto skewers.Grill over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender, turning occasionally.

2500 Recipes:Onion Cheese Puffs, Apple Delight, Pineapple Coconut Pecan Cake

Onion Cheese Puffs

1 cup water

1/3 cup margarine or butter

1 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp garlic powder

4 eggs

¾ cup shredded Swiss cheese (3-oz.)

1 small onion chopped (1/4 cup)

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Lightly grease cookie sheet

Heat water and margarine or butter to rolling boil in 2-quart saucepan.

Stir in flour, salt and garlic powder. Stir vigorously over low heat about one minute or until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat, beat in eggs all at once until smooth. Stir in cheese and onion.

Drop dough by scant teaspoonfuls about one inch apart onto cookie sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Serve warm.

Thank you for sharing your recipe Peggy Macek of Clarkston

Apple Delight

1-1/2 cup chopped apples

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp soda

Dash of salt

3 tbl vegetable oil

1 egg

½-1 cup walnuts

Mix all ingredients as listed.

Spread into 8x8 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Optional: Top with ice cream or whipped cream.

Thank you for sharing your recipe Robie Radford of White Lake

Roberta Blanchard says this is a delicious dessert and excellent for large gatherings.

Pineapple Coconut Pecan Cake

Ingredients

Cake

 ½ cup shortening

2 sticks butter

2-1/4 cups sugar

3 cups flour

¾ cup undrained crushed pineapple

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

1 7-oz bag flaked coconut

6 large eggs

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

¼ cup milk

1 cup candied cherries (red or green) or mixed

Glaze

Melt over heat. ½ stick butter, 1-1/2 cup confectioner sugar, 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice. Remove from heat and stir until smooth.

Directions

In large mixing bowl add shortening, butter and sugar. Cream until light in color and very fluffy (about 10 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, then measure. Sift flour again with baking powder and add to creamed mixture. Add milk. Stir in pineapple with juice and vanilla. Fold in coconut, nuts and fruit.

Pour into greased 10-inch angel food cake pan. Place in cold oven and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Test for doneness.

Pour glaze over cake while cake is hot.

Thank you for your recipe Roberta Blanchard of Auburn Hills.

Velveeta Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Velveeta Cheesy Broccoli Soup. Photo Kraftrecipes.com

It's quick, it's easy and it's delicious.

All you need are a few simple ingredients and about 25 minutes and you'll be sitting down to a creamy, cheesy bowl of goodness.

Can't get the kids to eat their vegetables? This recipe is sure to please even the finickiest of kids.

Ingredients
2 Tbl butter or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 Tbl flour
2-1/2 cups milk
3/4 lb. (12 oz.) Velveeta, cut up
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions
Melt butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add flour; cook 1 minute or until bubbly, stirring constantly.
Stir in milk.. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 1 minute.
Add remaining ingredients. Cook until Velveeta is melted and soup is heated through, stirring occasionally.

Kraft offers these kitchen tips
Healthier version
Save 50 calories, 6 grams of fat and 4 grams of saturated fat per serving with 2 percent milk Velveeta.
Substitute
Substitute frozen chopped spinach; frozen cauliflower, chopped; or frozen asparagus spears, chopped, for broccoli.
Use the microwave

Place onion or butter in 2-quart microwavable casserole or bowl. Microwave on high  30 seconds to 1 minute or until onion is tender. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Microwave 6 to 8 minutes or until Velveeta is melted and soup is heated through, stirring after 4 minutes.