Tie One On Tuesday

Did I ever tell you how much I love a good BBQ? Cooking out on the grill makes me very happy. Even when it's rainy and cold, or as I like to call it-a typical Pacific Northwest day, you can find OMP and myself out by the grill.

The most important part of grilling is the marinade or the sauce you will use for your yummy food. Well, guess what? Booze can help you with that! Is there anything a cocktails won't do?

Typically, OMP will throw a few steaks in a nice beer bath to not only tenderize them but also to give them a wonderful flavor. I always go with a nice cheap beer for a marinade, but you can go fancy. Here is a nice marinade for your favorite cut of steak.

Beer marinade:
1 can or bottle of beer (this can go up if you have more steaks)
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon of your favorite BBQ sauce
Seasoning salts
 Let the steaks sit for at least 8 hours-grill to perfection

Now, if you want something a little more fancy and from the islands, I suggest Lime Rum Chicken

Lime Rum Chicken:
1/ 2 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons lime juice-MUST BE FRESH!
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garlic-minced to taste
1 tablespoon minced ginger
Combine the above and submerge chicken breast. Let stand for at least 4 hours in a covered dish. Cook those yummy breast up!

Last but not least, a little booze for your pig. This pork recipe will have people begging at your doorstep for just one bite!

Bourbon pork tenderloin:
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup bourbon
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
Garlic to taste
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Combine the above ingredients and let the pork marinate for at least twelve hours.

Remember that with sweeter alcohol, go with something spicy or citrus to take that edge off. Alcohol like whiskey, bourbon and even vodka you need to go with a sweeter mixture. Either way, your grilling will be out of this world and  people will bow at your feet. They may even offer you a major award.