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July 26, 2005
Grillin
Urban apartment-dwellers that we are, Derek and I are not experts with a grill. We know the basics and we've done our fair share of holding a spatula and getting smoke in our eyes while we watch over someone else's grill, but we've never actually grilled anything on our own in Brooklyn. Derek kept a bag of charcoal in the trunk all last summer in the hope that we would get something together in Prospect Park, but I was always wary of the particular park etiquette and reserving technique that seems required. One weekend morning last summer, I got up early to head to Sebago and saw determined people (with large coolers) staking out grills and picnic tables around 8 a.m. -- I figured we didn't stand a chance if stuff like that was going on. Besides, I wouldn't have known what to do with one of the Prospect Park grills if I got one. I barely understand how charcoal works, much less how to use a chimney starter.
God bless roof access. First, it's cool and breezy on the roof when it's steamy inside; second, it's got a beautiful (albeit somewhat obstructed) view of the city and the moon on a clear night; and finally, there are about three communal charcoal grills up there (and a smoker!) for us to use. We had a very impromptu get-together last night and tried out some grilled kielbasa (first time I've ever bought meat at the Coop -- it's always hard to stick to the vegetarianism in grilling season -- but it's kielbasa, okay? I love that stuff.) and veggies and corn. Derek valiantly eschewed lighter fluid or matchlight of any kind and used paper to get the coals going (a degree in thermodynamic somethingorother may or may not have helped). We had planned to try out the grill on our own so we could experiment without humiliating ourselves, but last minute plans were made and having people over made it even better. The veggies were great -- we used zucchini squash, portobello mushrooms, and red onions marinated in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Derek sliced open the kielbasa, which helped it cook a little faster. The corn, unfortunately, didn't cook as well as it should have because the coals were dying down, but we can plan better for that next time. With a little wine and homemade iced tea and tziziki, it made for a respectable Brooklyn rooftop cookout. Plus, we finally got to use all of the grill accessories that we've been moving from place to place but have never used -- and the fireplace tools came in handy, too (I've been refusing to put them in storage even though we no longer have a fireplace).
Posted by csageday at July 26, 2005 12:14 AM