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Make Your Grilling Season Tasty, Memorable, Safe 
Important safety tips, delicious recipes to make this grilling season more fun

Attachment: Make Your Grilling Season Tasty, Memorable, Safe 

WASHINGTON (May 18, 2009) — With summer just around the corner, you almost can hear the buzz of Americans rescuing their patio furniture from storage, planting gardens, and dusting off that culinary symbol of summer: the backyard grill.

Grilling is an enjoyable, efficient way to prepare restaurant-quality meals at home. But before starting your grill, think safety. A recent survey sponsored by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) revealed that almost 50 percent of people surveyed would grill more often if they were more confident about safe grilling.

“Americans love to grill,” said Stuart Flatow, PERC vice president of safety and training. “With more than 95 percent of people planning to grill this summer, PERC wants to ensure a safe grilling season with simple safety tips for using a propane grill. Our survey indicated that when people know more about safety, they are more confident around the grill. That increased confidence leads to better grilling technique and a more enjoyable experience.”

A couple of top safety tips grillers should remember:

• Follow the grill manufacturer’s instructions and keep them handy in case you have problems.
• And keep the grill open until you are sure it is lit.

The PERC survey also found that many Americans no longer reserve grilling for special occasions, especially as the struggling economy leads more people to entertain at home. The organization has joined forces with Rick Bayless, James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef and restaurateur, and Certified Angus Beef LLC to share tasty new recipes and master grilling techniques to inspire grillers of all skill levels.

“People enjoy the unique taste of grilled food,” said Bayless. “Almost 90 percent of people surveyed said they prefer the taste of meat and vegetables when grilled versus those foods cooked indoors. And grilling is easy! Keeping recipes simple allows the true flavors of the fresh ingredients to stand out, and the staples — fresh meat, vegetables, herbs, and fruit — are easy to purchase. As a final but important step, make sure you employ proper grilling techniques that take safety into account to ensure both great-tasting meals and a good time with your friends and family.”

Choose Mediterranean Grilled New York Strip for an impressive meal that takes only minutes to prepare. A simple Mediterranean rub of fresh rosemary and thyme, ground coffee, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper perfectly seasons the steak. Served with grilled vegetables, the steak is the center of a restaurant-worthy meal at home.

For a great brunch alternative, prepare Grilled Sirloin Steak and Eggs. Top your favorite toasted bread with a smoky chipotle aioli, grilled and sliced sirloin, and a sunny-side-up egg. Completed with fresh fruit and petite greens, this dish can be served for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

Grilled Sirloin Mini Sandwiches fit the current small plate trend seen in restaurants and is perfect for entertaining. Just place grilled sirloin steak slices on mini buns and top with grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and tangy whole-grain mustard.

For a twist on the traditional, showcase your grilling skills with Beer Marinated Grilled Flank Steak. Create a clean, tasty marinade with a dark beer, such as Guinness Draught, chopped yellow onions, garlic, and jalapeno peppers. Season the steak with salt and pepper and grill until medium-rare. Slice the finished flank steak across the grain and serve with vegetable for a flavor-packed meal.

Grilled Prime Burger with Hot Pepper and Smoked Gouda will perk up the taste buds of any hamburger enthusiast. Serve the burger on onion buns with sun-dried tomato aioli, Gouda, and grilled poblano pepper (or Scotch bonnet for the daring).