Plank Grilling

January 6, 2014
Currently gaining more and more prominence among chefs and foodies, plank grilling has been around for centuries, points out Guillen (Cooking Club: Great Ideas and Delicious Recipes for Fabulous Get-Togethers), noting that cedar wood has long been used by Native Americans to impart seasoning. Here, she elaborates on that concept, showing home cooks how to use wood planks in a number of settings to impart unique flavors. Using only a handful of woods (cedar, alder, oak, cherry and maple), Guillen uses them to great effect, showing readers how to whip up everything from beet hummus and classic Scotch eggs to barbecue chicken pizza, DIY bacon and flank steak stuffed with artichokes and brie. Yes, there are a few of the obligatory novelty items (Caramel Apple Pizza), and some exist only because they can (tomato bisque takes an inordinate amount of time and her ribs are baked in the oven, then finished over planks), the majority of the dishes (pizza’s a favorite, as is fish) are practical and doable, provided readers have a reliable source of untreated wood. Her instructions on the mechanics of plank grilling are sound, to-the-point without being patronizing yet specific enough to ensure consistency and success even among novices. Grillhounds and smoke lovers (not to mention woodworkers and lumberjacks) will find a lot of ingenuity here.

April 15, 2014
Untreated wood planks can be used to infuse grilled foods with fresh and interesting flavors. Writer and marketing consultant Guillen's second cookbook on this technique borrows from her 2009 "The Plank Grilling Cookbook", but it includes enough new recipes (e.g., stuffed meatball sliders, peach and prosciutto pizza with arugula) to satisfy most readers. Guillen favors proteins, making this title most appropriate for meat eaters. There are few vegetarian options and no desserts. VERDICT An attractive and approachable introduction to plank grilling. Readers looking to further their technique may also enjoy Karen Adler and Judith Fertig's "25 Essentials: Techniques for Planking".

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