‘Tis the Season for Summertime Cooking

Posted on May 4, 2016

by April S

Summertime and cookouts go hand in hand and most people have plans to either throw a barbecue or attend one at some point during the summer months. Whether it’s barbecue or grilling, one thing’s for sure, it’s truly an American pastime. Technically, what most of us think of as barbecue is actually grilling, that’s if you’re a die hard barbecue fan. The art of barbecue usually refers to cooking meat at a very low temperature for a long period of time, which also involves basting and/or smoking of some kind. The term barbecue can also refer to a gathering of friends and family to celebrate good food, good times and companionship. Who doesn’t love a good barbecue get-together in the summertime?

Cookbooks Featuring BBQ and Grilling Recipes

Get cooking with these great Library resources …

The Big Hurt's Guide to BBQ and Grilling : Recipes from My Backyard to Yours by Frank Thomas

The Big Hurt’s Guide to BBQ and Grilling : Recipes from My Backyard to Yours by Frank Thomas

Hall of Famer and Chicago icon Frank Thomas shares his passion for grilling and cooking with baseball fans everywhere for the first time.

Grilling is perhaps as essential and synonymous with American culture as baseball itself, and Frank Thomas is ready to share all of his home run recipes. Whether you’re looking for barbecue basics or grilling greatness, these sizzling steaks, slow-cooked smoked ribs, and mouthwatering burgers are sure to please every palate, from healthy fare to hearty indulgences.

Meathead : the science of great barbecue and grilling / text and photos by Meathead Goldwyn

Meathead : The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling by Meathead Goldwyn

The founder and editor behind AmazingRibs.com provides a definitive guide to understanding the science behind barbecuing and grilling, explaining how marinades work, the importance of digital thermometers, how to calibrate a grill or smoker, along with 118 delicious recipes.

Weber's New American Barbecue - a modern spin on the classics by Jamie Purviance

Weber’s New American Barbecue : A Modern Spin on the Classics by Jamie Purviance

From the definitive name in grilling comes an all-new, unmatched collection celebrating the rich history as well as new techniques and innovations in American barbecue—from low-and-slow Southern ribs cooked in decades-old BBQ pits to new techniques and flavors from its largest urban centers.

But wait, there’s more … the Library has many more great books and eBooks to help you plan your next grilling adventure this summer and beyond.

Grilling / Outdoor Cooking – Print

The Summer Table - Recipes and menus for casual outdoor entertaining by Lisa Lemke Back Home with the Neelys : Comfort Food from our Southern Kitchen to Yours by Pat Neely, Gina Neely, Ann Volkwein Vegetarian grilling - 60 recipes for a Meatless Summer by Karen Schulz, Maren Jahnke Latin Grilling - Recipes to Share, from Argentine Asado to Yucatecan Barbecue and More by Lourdes Castro
Afro-Vegan - Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean and Southern flavors remixed by Bryant Terry Cookouts Veggie Style - 225 Backyard Favorites - Full of Flavor, Free of Meat by Jolinda Hackett Fresh Grilling - 200 Delicious good-for-you seasonal recipes by Better Homes and Gardens Plank Grilling - 75 recipes for infusing food with flavor using wood planks by Dina Guillen

Grilling / Outdoor Cooking – eBooks

BBQ Bistro [electronic resource] - Simple, Sophisticated French Recipes for Your Grill by Karen Adler The gardener and the grill [electronic resource] - the bounty of the garden meets the sizzle of the grill by Karen Adler and Judith Fertig Good Housekeeping test kitchen grilling cookbook [electronic resource] - 225 sizzling recipes for every season Michael Chiarello's live fire [electronic resource] - 125 recipes for cooking outdoors with Ann Krueger Spivack and Claudia Sansone
The Southwestern grill [electronic resource] - 200 terrific recipes for big and bold backyard barbecue by Michael McLaughlin The complete book of outdoor cookery [electronic resource] by James Beard
Mediterranean Grilling : More Than 100 Recipes from Across the Mediterranean by Diane Kochilas
Grilling with Veggies by Steven Raichlen
Looking for even more ways to expand your outdoor cooking skills?

Try using the following subject terms or keywords when searching the library catalog:

  • Barbecue
  • Barbecuing
  • Cookbooks
  • Entertaining
  • Grilling
  • Outdoor Cooking
  • Seasonal Cooking
  • Tailgate Parties

Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!

Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!

Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.