Anyone a Barbecue expert?

Surf: That is true about overcooked meat.

Here's some info that might help:

Carcinogens called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) are formed when fat drips from food onto hot coals or lava rocks. The smoke that forms rises up to the food and deposits PAHs on the surface of it.

Here are some tips:

Reduce Fat Drippings

* Select low fat meat and reduce portion size.
* Trim excess fat from meat and remove poultry skin before cooking.
* Use low-fat or non-fat marinades or basting sauces. If you plan to use the leftover marinade to baste your food during cooking or serve it as a sauce be sure to cook it first to keep food safe.

Reduce Grilling Time

* Do not char or overcook foods. However, foods should be cooked to the following internal temperatures to prevent food-borne illness:

Hamburger 160 Degrees
Pork 160- 170 Degrees
Beef 145 Degrees Chicken,thigh 180 Degrees
Chicken, Breast 170 Degrees

* Partially pre-cook foods by boiling or microwaving. The longer food stays on the grill, the more PAHs are formed. (Be sure to discard juices that form since they are loaded with PAHs). This works well with foods such as poultry, meat, and vegetables. Just how much time should you pre-cook your food? The July\August 1996 issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter recommends you microwave food for 30 to 90 seconds on "high" or until the juices start to flow. *Slice vegetables such as eggplant, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, peppers and onions no thicker than 1 1/2 inches to allow for quick cooking.

Reduce Smoke Contact

* Cover grill rack with hole-punched aluminum foil or wrap foods in foil
* Use a drip pan, making sure it does not rest on coals.
* Dampen coals that become hot or flare up. Keeping a squirt bottle of water nearby works well.
* Use liquid smoke or sauces and marinades for smoked flavor.
* Cook food at least six inches above burning coals or lava rocks.
* If food does burn, don't eat the charred part.
* Apply sauces containing honey, sugar or tomato during the final 15 to 30 minutes of cooking to prevent charring.

Vary Cooking Methods

Don't grill all your meals. The risk is higher for those that grill several times per week.

This is from Dr. Patti Schumann's website on grilling and cancer risk. Here's the link:
http://www.cheshire-med.com/services/dietary/nutrinew/grill.html

You can also find info on this at:
http://www.drweil.com/

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Save Our Rockets and Comets
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[This message has been edited by Jeff (edited September 25, 2000).]

 

Dang, Jeff, all that from a vegetarian?

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Save our children from the TAAS test:
TAAS test report card
TAAS test fact sheet

 

First, I wasn't always a vegetarian. Second, I am interested in alternative health and my wife happened to read this in one of Dr. Andrew Weil's books and she mentioned it to me.

I found it on is site.



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Save Our Rockets and Comets
SaveOurRockets.com