Author: Trey Collier

About Trey Collier

Avid Do-It-Yourself-er. Love's being outdoors. Helped push the shade sail market into one of the fastest growing outdoor shade structures product in North America.

The Perfect Burgers For Your Labor Day Party

Burger Grilling
Looking for the perfect burger recipe for  your Labor Day cookout? The one below from Food Network star Bobby Flay will bring amazing flavor and win raves with your backyard bbq guests! Fire up your charcoal grill, have plenty of cold beverage and friends, and let the party begin!

Bobby Flay’s Basic Burger

Shape 6 ounces of 80% lean ground beef chuck into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick (don’t overwork the meat). Make a depression in the center with your thumb so the burger won’t bulge; the indent will rise as the patty cooks. Preheat a grill to high. Brush the burger with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, turning once (7 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid pressing with a spatula! Add cheese for the last minute of cooking.

For a special Labor Day treat, add the toppings to make Bobby’s Philly Burger. Simply add Provolone cheese, pickled hot peppers and roasted red peppers, and sautéed onions to your grilled burgers.

Source: Flay, Bobby. “Philly Burger Recipe : Bobby Flay : Food Network.” Food Network. Television Food Network G.P. Web. 26 Aug. 2011. < http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/philly-burger-recipe/index.html >.

My Favorite Late Summer Activities

Hammock Recliner
The dwindling days of summer are coming to an end. Around the country, children are starting back to school, football games are beginning, and the days will eventually start to get cooler and shorter. Make the most of the days we have left. Here is a list of my very favorite things to do during the later summer months. What are your favorite things to pass the day? Please share below.

  • Curl up in your hammock with a great book for an entire afternoon
  • Set up a lemonade stand with your kids
  • Hit up your local farmer’s market for great late summer produce
  • Take a canoe trip on your local river or lake
  • Go to your local mall or outdoor gathering area for some intense people watching
  • Take a long, leisurely drive with the windows down and the music up

Primo Porcelain Grills: A Breakthrough In Cooking

Primo Porcelain Grill
Sometimes, products come along that revolutionize an aspect of your life. Have trouble parallel parking? There are now cars that take care of this task for you – no hands required! Get lost all the time? A GPS can prove to be a life saver. The hot new product in grilling is the Primo porcelain grill, and it is truly a revolution! Unlike traditional metal grills, the Primo is based on the ancient Japanese tradition known as Kamado. In this 2000 year old method, heat is trapped and stored in the thick walls and dome of the kamado oven creating a unique environment of moist, even heat around and above the grill surface. Because heat is radiant, as well as direct from the coals below, food not only crisps, browns, sears, and/or smokes but it stays moist and tender. The thick walls surrounding the cooking area create a consistency of temperatures that further contributes to the succulence of all food cooked in the Kamado style. It uses natural lump charcoal to grill, roast, and smoke food year round thanks to the high-tech material. It makes the grill resistant to any changes in temperature, thus allowing you to cook without worrying about rain or snow. You get an even, moist, and delicious cook every time! The owner’s manual even comes with great recipes for your Primo, like the ones below! Experience ancient Japanese techniques transformed with modern, state-of-the-art grilling technology, and you will never go back to traditional grilling again!

Puerco Adobo

Ingredients:

2 lb pork tenderloin(s)

12 oz. jar of jalapeno  peppers, undrained
4 Tbs. oregano

4 clove garlic, chopped
2 tsp. ground Cumin

4 tsp. cider or red wine vinegar

4 Tbs. olive oil

1 tsp. black pepper

½ tsp. salt

Preparation Directions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients, except the pork, in the blender or food processor.
  2. Place the pork tenderloin in a large plastic food storage bag, or glass dish and immerse in the marinade from the blender.
  3. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 4-24 hours.

Cooking Directions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients, except the pork, in the blender or food processor.
  2. Place the pork tenderloin in a large plastic food storage bag, or glass dish and immerse in the marinade from the blender.
  3. Cover and marinate in refrigerator 4-24 hours.
  1. Let the tenderloin sit out when you start your cooker, to get to room temperature.
  2. Fire up the Primo grill and bring it up to 300-325. A light wood, like apple or cherry would be appropriate to the delicate nature of the pork, or no wood at all. Up to you.
  3. Stabilize temperature, and place pork on, direct.
  4. Turn after ten minutes & spoon on some of the reserved marinade.
  5. Repeat after ten minutes on other side.
  6. Now’s the time to throw on any veggies you’d like to cook, too.
  7. Keep an eye on your temps, and pull your tenderloin off when internal temp hits 145-150, lower if you like a little more pink in the middle.

Baked Bananas Balinese

Ingredients:

½ cup butter (room temp; not melted)

¾ cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed

1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ cup Walnuts or Pecans, finely chopped (pieces size of small pea)

1-2 Tbs. Liqueur of Choice (brandy or rum seems best)

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream, whipped and chilled

8 Bananas, large and Yellow, with a little green on skins

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

¾ cup Coconut (sweetened, flaked)

1 qt. Vanilla Ice cream

Preparation Directions:

  1. Put the grid accessory in the grill.
  2. While charcoal is heating up to 350 F temp, stir together butter, brown sugar, walnuts, coconut, vanilla, liqueur, and cinnamon in medium mixing bowl until well-combined. Note: this topping may be made up to 2 days ahead, covered and refrigerated.
  3. Cut stem ends off bananas.
  4. Carefully cut bananas into even halves lengthwise. Do not peel them.
  5. Place cut bananas on baking sheet, skin side down.

Cooking Directions:

  1. Spread topping on banana halves, allowing about 2 Tablespoons per banana half.
  2. When bananas have been topped and grill is at 350 F, place halves on grid, skin side down, leaving ½ inch space around each.
  3. Close lid. Top vent should be quarter way open. Bottom vent open about ¼ to ½ inch. Temp is forgiving with this recipe but should keep a range between the 325-350. Cook 17-20 minutes. Finished bananas will pull slightly away from sides of skins and coconut will be slightly crispy. Skins will be dark brown. Do not let coconut blacken. A little charring around edges is okay.
  4. Remove bananas with long spatula.
  5. Allowing 2 halves per serving, place on plate and top with scoop of ice cream, dollop of whipped cream and an additional dusting of cinnamon, if desired.

Unique Hammocks for Relaxing Outdoors

Double Rope Hammock

Looking for a great way to relax outdoors? Traditional hammocks are great, but there are some modern alternatives that you are sure to love. A double rope hammock will look great on your porch or on your lawn. No where to hang it? The steel swing stand option will allow you to swing anywhere. It has the beautiful look and feel of a regular hammock, but gives you the ease and comfort of a chair and allows you to swing side by side with a friend or loved one.

A hammock lounger requires not hanging at ALL! This hammock is ideal for instant relaxation at poolside or on the patio. Escape to the backyard and into a hammock that is great for kicking back.  The four point mounting system makes it very sturdy and secure for ease getting in and out. It even comes with a small foam pillow, which is green to match the stylish green and white stripped pattern.Hammock Lounger

Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool and Healthy

With heat waves sweeping the country, its impossible to forget to take care of yourself. Most people manage to stay hydrated, protected, and cool, but what about your pets? Pets need to be cared for during extreme heat just as people do. It is important to remember them and keep them safe. Below is a list of what, and what not, to do for cats and dogs during this extreme summer!

  • Pets can get dehydrated quickly. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh, clean water.
  • Make sure that pets have a shady, cool place to rest when outside. A Coolaroo pet bed is a perfect option because it raises your pet off the ground and allows air to circulate under them. Place it under a shady tree or porch for a perfect outdoor comfort spot.
  • Never leave pets outside for long periods of time during extreme heat. Even with food, water, and shade, pets can become overheated leading to death.
  • Never leave your pets in a parked vehicle, even with the windows cracked. This is very dangerous and even short periods of time can cause extreme dehydration or death.
  • Maintaining fur is a great way to keep pets cool. Trim dogs fur down to 1 inch. Be sure to leave 1 inch of fur for sun protection. Brushing cats more frequently than normal can help regulate temperature.
  • Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days.
  • Know the signs and risks! The ASPCA states that the signs of dehydration in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. You should also know if your animals have an increased risk of heat related problems. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, the elderly, overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool and inside.