Smokin’ Summer Barbecue (BBQ) is On the Menu with Celebrity Chef Shehu Fitzgerald

August is the time when most Americans tend to forgo their kitchen stoves and opt for their open-air, outdoor backyard barbecue grill.  Renowned Celebrity Chef Shehu Fitzgerald – featured on ABC’s “The Taste” and The Food Network’s program, “Chopped” – can help you celebrate the bounty of summer with his fresh recipes and tasty cooking tips.

“During the summer months, Americans typically enjoy classic outdoor cookouts of grilled meats and fresh seasonal produce,” said New York City native Chef Shehu Fitzgerald. “Why not spice things up at your next barbecue by being creative with out-of-the-ordinary recipes, including entrees, sides and desserts on the barbie!”

Chef Shehu has spent over twenty years hosting large and extravagant dining events at some of the most acclaimed resorts worldwide. Below, he shares his expert advice on how to plan the perfect barbecue.

Test New Meats:  Keep hot dogs and hamburgers handy for those who enjoy traditional fare, but also consider adding lamb chops, salmon, chuck steak, rack of ribs and London broil to the menu.  If possible, purchase vacuum packaged meats as they are not only considered the freshest available, but they can be stored in the freezer without developing freezer burn.  Lastly, use dry rubs – including Chef Shehu’s Spice Blends – since they are a terrific way to add robust flavor to meats.

Practice Food Safety:  Purchase a food thermometer to accurately measure the internal temperature of cooked foods during the grilling process. The safe internal temperature for ground beef or pork is 160 degrees.  It is 165 degrees for grilling poultry (e.g. turkey and chicken) and 145 for grilled lamb chops.  Since hot weather creates an atmosphere for foodborne illnesses, it is important to pay attention to cooking temperatures as well as how food is stored in the summer heat (e.g. cooked meats should not be out for more than an hour).

Use Proper Grilling Utensils: Chef Shehu suggests using quality tongs and a spatula when working the grill, as too much pressure can crush the food and release its savory juices.  He suggests purchasing heavy duty, stainless steel tongs and a spatula for your grill. Tongs should have a strong spring so they pop back open when you release your grip.

Add Smoky Flavor to Dishes: A subtle hint of woodsy flavor adds a nice change to classic dishes.  Soak wood chips overnight in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water.  When it’s grill time, just sprinkle the presoaked chips on the hot coals and close the lid on the grill.

Relish Summer Sides: No barbecue is complete without an array of sumptuous sides. Grilled vegetables – including bell peppers, corn, zucchini, asparagus and tomatoes – add color, flavor as well as a nutritional element to plates.

Grill Dessert: Firm fruits (e.g. pineapples, peaches, apples and pears) are perfect for the grill!  During the grilling process, it caramelizes the sugars, creating a golden brown color and intensity of flavor.  Surprise your guests with a popular Brazilian dessert – Abacaxí – by coating pineapple slices with honey, lime juice, and sugar and grill to perfection. Chef Shehu suggests grilling fruit over medium heat on a very clean cooking grate.

Chef Shehu has posted some of his summer recipes – Grilled Hamburgers, Grilled Corn on the Cob and a special Grilled Peach dessert – on his Website, chefshehu.com.  He will be also post additional recipes and drink ideas prior to Labor Day, so be sure to check his Website often.

About Chef Shehu Fitzgerald

Shehu Fitzgerald is a New York City-based, nationally renowned chef who is known for creating enticing variations of classic American, Asian, Latin, French, Italian and Caribbean cuisine. As a result of his extensive intercontinental culinary training and 20 years of work experience at acclaimed resorts, Chef Shehu has been able to take some of the world’s favorite recipes and infuse them with exciting new flavors. His talents were showcased on the Food Network’s highly popular “Chopped” program, where he won the show’s national competition. Chef Shehu has also recently appeared on “The Taste,” an American cooking-themed reality competition series on the ABC TV network. In 2014, Chef Shehu launched Chef Shehu’s Spice Blends, which is a must-have addition for any home or commercial kitchen. These products enhance the flavor of any recipe, including meats, vegetables and side dishes. There are currently six spices in his line – #21, #107, #709, #35, #49 and #7 – and they are all currently available for purchase at chefshehu.com. Chef Shehu’s Spice Blends will also launch in the retail market in Fall, 2015.

About Chef Shehu Fitzgerald

Shehu Fitzgerald is a New York City-based, nationally renowned chef who is known for creating enticing variations of classic American, Asian, Latin, French, Italian and Caribbean cuisine. As a result of his extensive intercontinental culinary training and 20 years of work experience at acclaimed resorts, Chef Shehu has been able to take some of the world’s favorite recipes and infuse them with exciting new flavors. His talents were showcased on the Food Network’s highly popular “Chopped” program, where he won the show’s national competition. Chef Shehu has also recently appeared on “The Taste,” an American cooking-themed reality competition series on the ABC TV network. In 2014, Chef Shehu launched Chef Shehu’s Spice Blends, which is a must-have addition for any home or commercial kitchen. These products enhance the flavor of any recipe, including meats, vegetables and side dishes. There are currently six spices in his line – #21, #107, #709, #35, #49 and #7 – and they are all currently available for purchase at chefshehu.com. Chef Shehu’s Spice Blends will also launch in the retail market in Summer, 2015.