Barbecue Master Checks Out McCormick Flavor Forecast 2013

I grew up on McCormick seasonings and was using the McCormick products for grilling before McCormick even came out with their specialty grilling lines. I can’t even begin to count the number of McCormick lemon pepper bottles we’ve gone through over the years. It’s amazing what a sprinkle of lemon pepper will do for a steak or grilled burger.  

 

 Yum! I Am Going to Have a Delicious Summer

When I started seeing McCormick grilling products I was excited, and when they invited me to join the team in getting the word out about the new and exciting grilling flavors, I was even more excited.

What’s New in the Flavor Forecast 2013?

I’m always looking for new outdoor cooking ideas, and the McCormick Grill Mates &Lawry's Flavor Forecast 2013: Grilling Edition is packed full for great ideas from five minute marinating to grilling fruits to add a hint of smoke flavor to summer drinks.

Seriously you’ve got to try putting some lemon slices on the grill and then in your tea. You’ll be amazed at the extra kick you’ll get with a classic summer drink.

 

Home Brewed Iced Tea with Grilled Lemon Slice

McCormick is also offering help on pairing seasonings with wood flavors. No matter what type of grilling you do, a little smoke from chunks of wood gives food that extra oomph. Try out the Grill Mates Backyard Brick Oven with alder over seafood for a sweet but not overpowering zing.

 

Grilled Shrimp with Grill Mates Smokin' Sweet Tea Marinade and Backyard Brick Oven Seasoning

Another creative idea from McCormick is to put condiments center stage. Condiments tend to get overlooked, but they won’t be when you mix up your own. And, you don’t have to spend all day either.

One simple condiment idea is to combine McCormick Perfect Pinch Cajun Seasoning with ketchup which takes an old fashioned favorite but flavors it up for adults. Top a grilled hamburger off with that, and you have a winner. 

Don’t Miss Out on the Fun with McCormick

If you’re wondering what’s hot for this summer, just check out the Flavor Forecast page. You’ll be busy and eating great off the barbecue grill all summer with the tips and ideas from McCormick.

 Also check out the new McCormick Grill Mates products and recipes and enter to win a prize pack of delicious seasonings at the McCormickFaceBook page. Your mouth will be watering when you see the great reader entries.

*Please note that I’m a paid ambassador for McCormick this summer and that I got the basket of seasonings for free. As always I do give my honest thoughts and opinions.

SpeedyPlus Instant Marinater by Jaccard - Fast Flavorful Steak

 

Checking out the SpeedyPlus Instant Marinater

Jimmy saw steaks on sale down at the IGA and decided to pick some up for dinner. Since this was a last minute idea, he thought he would try out the SpeedyPlus Marinater by Jaccard.

Todd had sent this out to see what I'd think about the time I got an eye socket infection, so I had not been feeling up to grilling for a few weeks. But with steaks on hand and the guys willing to pitch in, it seemed the perfect time to try out the fast marinater machine.

I don't guess I'd exactly call the SpeedyPlus Marinater a machine, although it does have a pump. It's more like a well made plastic container with a lid and tight latches. Then there is the pump to pull the air out of the pan and a little rubber piece that sucks in when the air is cleared out. This all, of course, made the marinade absorb quickly - like in five minutes or so. This is commercial level pressure according to the company.

 Getting Steaks Ready to Grill with SpeedyPlus Instant Marinater

 

Jimmy put the steaks in the SpeedyPlus and then added spicy Kraft Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and McCormick lemon pepper. This is our easy, go-to marinade, because I always have these items on hand and because they do taste great on steak.

 

 

Pumping Things up with the Marinater from Jaccard

 

Once the lid was latched on, Jimmy pumped the red handle as you can see. The red dot to the side is the rubber type piece that inverts like an "innie" belly button (which it did).

 

This was the only part that was a little tricky. I double checked, but I could not find anything that screwed together to keep the pump from coming out of the cylinder. Being a guy, Jimmy kept going up to far and then having to line up again. Then, I tried. I did the same thing (and I'm obviously not a guy). So, I'm not 100% certain we did that part right, but it still worked (but had to be lined back up a few times).

 

 

Fire Up That Barbecue Grill - We're Ready to Grill and FAST

 

It took 10 minutes or so to start the charcoal, and Jimmy put the steaks straight on. They were clearly juicy and smelled wonderful. You can see below, although sadly I can't add smell online yet.  

 

 

Chuck Eye Steak on the Weber Kettle

 

One great feature on the marinater is that the top has a ridge or lip all around, so you can use that as a tray and not get raw meat juice on grilled steaks (which is not healthy). In fact, we did put the steaks on the top which worked great.

 

I was in the kitchen and missed getting a photo of the top, but that is a really nice idea and saves on washing so many dishes. We don't have a dishwasher, so I notice things like that.

 

The SpeedyPlus Instant Marinater worked really well. Even with the short time to get the last minute steaks on the grill, they had the full flavor that I get when I marinate for an hour or so. The marinater box is pretty and would look nice to take out to a cook out, and I really love the top doubling as the serving tray.