SL: What’s your advice to women who are still building their confidence when it comes to grilling?
Shannon: I [used to be] against grilling because I thought it was difficult, messy, and more work than just doing everything in the kitchen. Once I started doing small things on my recteq, the flavor was better, and the mess was minimal. Fast-forward three years, I do everything on my grill. It can be intimidating at first, but with repetition, great resources, and some personal touches, it is actually way less stressful or intimidating. I have burned more chicken while pan-frying it than I do on my grill.
Today’s grilling technology has become so sophisticated that it offers advantages for women just learning how to barbecue. Many of the wood pellet grills come with Wi-Fi connectivity, apps with recipes, and meat thermometers. Your barbecue can now send notices to your phone that tell you exactly how hot your grill is, what temperature you want your meat to be, and even how long to cook it.
Outdoor cooking is becoming the best way to cook, period. There is less mess in the house to clean up. You get a chance to breathe fresh air and connect to nature and the outdoors while cooking, which helps with all of the feel-good hormones. Grilling is often healthier than frying or cooking methods that require added fats and oils. Plus, grilling is social, inclusive, and supportive. Learning to grill is just like everything else that is good in life; it takes time and practice. But once you are hooked, you are hooked for life.
