With a Mini Grill, the World is Your Cookout
Welcome to Party Tricks, a monthly column in which bestselling cookbook author and entertaining pro Alison Roman schools us on the fine art of having people over without pulling out your hair.
Even though I live in a fourth-floor Brooklyn walk-up, don’t have a backyard, and am definitely nobody’s dad, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who loves to grill as much as I do. And I’m here to tell you that regardless of your situation (mine is far from perfect), you can and should own a grill—specifically a $35 portable Weber charcoal grill.
Small enough to fit inside an oversize tote bag and lightweight enough to actually carry around, this little grill is truly summer’s hottest accessory. Whether you have a complete lack of outdoor space or you’re just not ready to commit to the full-size version, it’s ideal for taking to the park so you can grill among the people, which is an excellent way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Now, this isn’t the time to play pitmaster—the grill is so tiny you’re not building a two-zone fire, nor do you have any business trying to cook, say, a leg of lamb. Instead, I bring along the basics: a grill brush so you can give the grate a quick scrub after you're done cooking; self-lighting briquettes (not my first choice, but they're extremely convenient in this situation); and, last but not least, hot dogs, buns, and bottles of mustard and ketchup.
If you bring burger meat—a more ambitious option—you’ll also want to pack a little baggie of kosher salt to season the patties. But no matter what, I always bring some chopped or sliced onions and crunchy lettuce to nestle into the buns along with the grilled goods.
Everything else—drinks, chips, extra condiments, salads, and sides—gets outsourced to friends. Which means if I invite you to my grilling party at the park, be prepared to arrive with your best snacks in tow.
Buy it: Weber Portable Grill, $35 on Amazon
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Originally Appeared on Bon Appétit
