What Not To Do (Pt. 2)

[addicted-to-smoke]

This is the next day, after my "Pt.1" post.

Disclaimer: No plastic was threatened this time, although I now officially hate the silicone-tipped IKEA tongs I used.

Note: Despite the descriptions, it turned out well and was yummy.

This is How Not to Grill Fajitas.

Beef cooking on a Pampered Chef cast iron grill my wife doesn't yet know I used:


Do not use one of these, although it does fit OK on a 22.5". You really want to be able to stir what you're cooking and this thing's got no sides. Yes I employed a "hot side and a cold side" technique with charcoal holders together at one end. Ignore the drip pans. Although I emptied them from the previous usage I put them back in because at first I thought they might get used ... that was before I spied the Pampered Chef.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Beef removed, Vidalia onions next.



Onions removed, peppers next.



Uh oh! My assistant didn't realize the jalapeños should be bereft of seeds. Too late now!

[addicted-to-smoke]

Beef added back, "fajita seasoning packet" sprinkled over everything, water added too, and weakly "stirred."



Juice from grill surface dripped over serving dish:



Do NOT simply pick up the top grill, with cast iron grilling surface still on it, and "safely pour" juice onto waiting plate. There are a number of things that could go wrong, not the least of which there's a grease mess to clean off the deck ...

[HankB]

... although I now officially hate the silicone-tipped IKEA tongs I used.

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-12-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Locking/dp/B00004OCK1/

I have all three sizes.

[Bman]

THAT,,, is a hot mess.  And one I'd love to dive into!

Do yourself a favor and drop the 20 bucks at Walmart.  Our little store carries these in stock and they're awesome.
.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-12-Cast-Iron-Skillet/5969633
.

[addicted-to-smoke]

HankB I went to Target today because I knew they carried Oxo but they only had the short one and I intended to get the 16" for tonight's grilling. Amazon it'll have to be.

Bman I will indeed check out the Lodge at Wally World. Target had something else that didn't appeal.

Of course, now I see the "fajita" skillet, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-Fajita-Set/6005460?findingMethod=rr but I've never understood how restaurants cook on them. Maybe they don't. Maybe they just heat them up and place cooked food on them before bringing them to to your table.

[Bman]

Our Target also carried a limited selection of Lodge, but they're more expensive than Walmart.  The fajita set is one I haven't seen before and looks kinda cool.  Been thinking of picking up the low sided griddle for making personal pizzas, but I like the hot plate holder that comes with the fajita set.  Hmmmm....

If you're looking for the best-bang-for-the-buck, I'd recommend this set.  Note - I don't own it, yet.
One of the issues with the skillets is the handle.  Takes up quite a bit of real estate on the grill if you're using the lid.  This set will give you a 10.25" 'skillet' without the long handle which would work great for the grill.  And the dutch oven would be awesome for beans.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-Logic-5-Quart-Cast-Iron-Double-Dutch-Oven/12554407?findingMethod=rr

[Eastex]

The fajita skillets were used for serving only at the Mexican place I worked at when I was in college. We kept them in the bottom of the 500 degree oven, thats why they were so hot when they got to the table.
I bought one of these this Spring at the factory store for cooking a few mushrooms and onions when the wife and I want some with our burgers and such. It's good for a small amount and there's no handle in the way so it doesn't take up much real estate
http://www.lodgemfg.com/seasoned-cast-iron/oval-server-LOSD

I also looked at these as a grill item since there wasn't a handle to take up room. Basically its a griddle and I decided that the lack of sides could be a problem. There's got to be a niche for it though.
http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Logic-Round-Griddle-Handles/dp/B0099SPQKS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1370008961&sr=8-19&keywords=lodge+cast+iron+serving

[addicted-to-smoke]

The oval servers, with what appear to maybe be slightly higher sides without resorting to a pot might be a good compromise for space and utility for small side dishes. I dig the idea of using servers for cookers and of turning that lid over into a pan. Sneaky!

I also saw online a crescent-shaped server. Of course I immediately thought of potential space-maximizing on a round grill although it might not be the case.

http://www.katom.com/261-LCSH3.html

[HankB]

Do yourself a favor and drop the 20 bucks at Walmart.  Our little store carries these in stock and they're awesome.
.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-12-Cast-Iron-Skillet/5969633
.

That's a great skilled and you will not be disappointed to own one. However my vote for Weber friendly CI goes to the Dutch Oven/lid combo: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-Logic-5-Quart-Cast-Iron-Double-Dutch-Oven/12554407

No long handles to get in the way when you want to put the lid on. Easily fits my mini-WSM. Unfortunately on 9 1/2" across so not nearly as big as the 12" skillet.

[addicted-to-smoke]

I looked at that dutch oven/lid combo today. My local Wal-Mart didn't get the price drop memo and it's shown for $35 and change. No biggie and I'm sure they'd take care of that (??) but I'll have to put that purchase off for a while. It does look like a useful thing to own.

As I type I'm dealing with my First Official Fail, turkey burgers of all things! All I did was spice them somewhat and make patties --- no egg or whatever mixed in to keep them together, so they're kinda falling apart on the friggin' grill. Shoulda known. Shoulda actually planned.