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Martine Pierhagen

BBQ Cedar or Alder Plank Pears

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Dessert, Fruit
Grilled pears are an easy side dish at a barbecue or better yet, a delicious dessert when paired with ice cream, whipped cream or frozen yoghurt.

This easy and oh so tasty recipe of pears grilled on a Cedar or Alder gourmet grilling plank is sure to impress.

It gently cooks the fruit, and a light sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon gives the pears its perfect finish.

The gourmet grilling plank protects the fruit from the heat and adds a subtle wood and smoky flavour.

Preparation: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ready in: 50 minutes
Serves 4

Step 1:

Preheat a smoker or closed grill to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Step 2:

Clean the pears then slice carefully downwards to create 6 even thickness slices.

Step 3:

Lay all the slices out then brush with the butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar. Flip the pears then repeat.

Step 4:

A cold or preheated plank may be used. Lay the pears out in a decorative fashion of your choice, such as in portion servings.

Step 5:

Place in the preheated barbecue for 35 minutes.

Serve warm with fresh cream, mascarpone, ice cream or frozen yoghurt and enjoy!

June 19, 2024

Cedar Planked Figs with Pancetta and Goat Cheese

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Cheese, Fruit
Salty, sweet, savoury, creamy and crunchy al in one, these Cedar plank grilled figs with pancetta and goat cheese will be a huge hit at your next party!

Plank grilling is perfect for small bites, finger foods and appetisers, because it’s easy to do and looks impressive. The plank serves for both cooking and serving.

If goat cheese isn’t your thing, a blue cheese such as gorgonzola would make a perfect replacement.

You’ll need:

• 10 fresh figs, halved
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces pancetta, sliced thin and cut into 1/2-inch strips lengthwise
• 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cedar planks, soaked for 1 hour prior to use

Step 1:

Place figs, cut side up, on a plate. Drizzle with Grand Marnier and season heavily with pepper and lightly with salt. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wrap each fig with one strip of pancetta and secure it with toothpick

Step 2:

Dice remaining pancetta. Place pancetta in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook pancetta until crisp, 7-10 minutes. Transfer pancetta to paper towel lined plate. Set aside.

Step 3:

Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with grey ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes.

Place planks over hot side of the grill until they start to char and smoke. Flip planks over and move to cool side of grill and arrange figs on top. Sprinkle figs with goat cheese and crisped pancetta. Cover grill and cook until figs soften and uncooked pancetta browns, about 15 minutes.

Step 4:

Remove planks from grill. Drizzle figs with honey. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.

June 19, 2024

Toad in the Hole – Cedar Plank Grilled Egg in Toast

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Other
Also known as “egg in the basket” or “spit in the eye” (yes, really), here’s a fun way to do breakfast or brunch. Grill a classic Toad in the Hole on a cedar gourmet grilling plank in the oven or on your BBQ.

It’s a little different from the classic British favourite, because these toasts are filled with smoky flavoured eggs and topped with melted Cheddar cheese. It’s a great dish for weekend brunch.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

You’ll need:

• 2 cedar planks
• 4 slices bread, such as brioche (3/4-inch thick slices)
• 7 eggs, divided
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon spice rub, divided
• 1/2 cup grated smoked Cheddar cheese

Step 1:

Soak cedar planks in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and pat dry.

Step 2:

Remove the centres of each slice of bread with a 3-inch round cookie cutter. Beat 3 of the eggs with milk and 2 tablespoons of the spice rub in medium bowl until well blended.

Step 3:

Lightly oil 1 side of each of the planks. Place planks, oil side up, on preheated grill over medium heat. Dip bread in egg mixture. Place on planks. Break an egg into each of the holes. Sprinkle eggs with remaining 1/2 teaspoon of spice rub. Cover grill.

Step 4:

Grill 10 minutes. Sprinkle eggs with cheese and some salt, if desired. Grill, covered, for another 10 minutes.

June 19, 2024

Plank Grilled Pepper Encrusted Cheeseburgers

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Meat, Other
When thinking of the quintessential summer food, the one that comes to mind is a great juicy burger.  Fire up the grill, slice up some beautiful provolone or other semi-hard cheese, soak a natural wood gourmet grilling plank in water, and get ready for the most delicious cheeseburger!

Plank grilling adds a delicious smoky flavour to these black pepper encrusted cheeseburgers.

You can serve these delicious plank grilled cheeseburgers with whatever you like. Crispy fries, tangy slaws, potato salads, they are all perfect burger sides.

You’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup coarse ground black pepper
  • 4 (1/3 pound) hamburgers
  • 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1-2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 slices provolone or other semi-hard cheese
  • 2 (12-inch) cedar planks
  • Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

Step 1:

Soak planks in water for at least 1 hour (turning over after 30 minutes)

Step 2:

Warm oil in a 10-inch skillet (preferably a cast-iron), add coarsely ground black pepper and sauté on high for 3 minutes then on medium for 7 minutes stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Set aside and let cool completely.

Step 3:

Season both sides of the patties with Worcestershire sauce and salts to taste. Spoon sautéed black pepper on each patty and spread around evenly (use less or more according to your taste), flip burgers over and add black pepper to other side. Cut butter into 4 patties and place one on top of each burger.

Step 4:

Pre-heat gas grill on high to 200 degrees.

Step 5:

Remove planks from water after one hour (or more) and place planks on hot grill to toast, about 2-4 minutes with lid closed. Open lid, flip planks over and toast on other side for another 2-4 minutes with lid closed, until planks begin to crackle and smoke.

Step 6:

Open grill lid and make sure planks are smooth side up and in the centre of grill. Set grill heat to medium indirect (if you have 3 burners, turn the middle one off and the other two to medium).

Step 7:

Using a spatula, place 2 burgers on each plank, close the lid and cook for 20-25 minutes, until burgers reach internal temperature of 70 degrees.

Step 8:

Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger and close lid until cheese melts (about 1-3 minutes).

If you would like toasted buns, place buns open side down around on grill. Watch closely and remove when toasted (2-4 minutes).

Enjoy!

June 18, 2024

Cedar Planked Peaches with Ice Cream

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Dessert, Fruit
If you’ve never tried grilled peaches, you really should give it a try. The grill intensifies the peaches’ natural sweetness, makes them extra-juicy, and infuses them with a light smoky flavour.

This plank grilled peaches recipe sums up just about everything that makes summer cooking  so special. Top them with ice cream and you’ll have a perfect summer dessert.

Pro Tip: Grilled peaches are best hot from the grill, when they’re juicy and tender. Grill them to order if you can, but if you have leftovers, don’t let them go to waste! Enjoy them for dessert the next day, or slice them and pile them onto oatmeal, overnight oats, or chia pudding for breakfast.

Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3

You’ll need

• 3 small cedar planks
• 3 Peaches
• Thyme
• Cinnamon
• Brown Sugar
• Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions:

Step 1. Soak Cedar Plank in hot water for at least 15 minutes.

Step 2. Preheat oven or grill to 350°F.

Step 3. Halve peaches and remove core. Chop thyme.

Step 4. Place peaches on soaked plank and top with thyme, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Step 5. Grill with the lid closed for 10 to 13 minutes.

Step 6. Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

June 18, 2024

Cedar Plank Brie with Peaches & Thyme

By Cedar Plank Recipes, Cheese, Fruit
Soft cheeses with a rind are a fantastic option for cedar plank grilling. The outer rind of Brie, a soft cow’s-milk cheese that’s named after the district in France where it originated, is meant to be eaten.

Cedar plank grilling enhances the nutty, earthy flavour and character of the cheese. Plank grilling adds a subtle hint of smokiness to the dish while the cheese turns soft, warm, gooey and melty.

You’ll need

• 1 cedar plank
• Loaf of baguette style French bread
• ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 cloves minced garlic
• ½ cup apricot preserves
• 1 x wheel of Brie cheese at room temperature
• 1 x peach pitted & sliced
• 1 x plum pitted & sliced
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• Fresh thyme sprigs

Step 1:
Soak your cedar gourmet grilling plank in water for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2:

Slice the bread diagonally into sixteen 1/4-inch slices.

Step 3:

For the herb oil, in a small bowl combine olive oil, thyme and garlic; set aside.

Step 4:

In a small saucepan, heat preserves until melted; cover and keep warm.

Step 5:

Heat grill to medium-high heat over direct heat. Place your plank on grill. Cover the grill and preheat plank for about 5 minutes, turning once. Pre-heating the plank allows it to begin releasing smoke and flavour.

Step 6:

Place Brie on preheated plank. Brush with some of the melted preserves.

Step 7:

Arrange the peach and plum slices on grill grate around plank. Cover and grill for 2 to 3 minutes or until fruit slices are slightly charred, turning once.

Arrange a few slices of peaches and plums on top of Brie. Add remaining fruit slices to plank around Brie. Brush remaining melted preserves over fruit.

Step 8:

Cover and grill for 10 to 15 minutes more or until Brie is melted. Remove plank from grill. Let stand while grilling toasts.

For the toasts, lightly brush baguette slices with herb oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place baguette slices on grill rack over direct heat. Grill for 3 minutes or until crisp and golden on both sides, turning once. Remove from grill.

Serve melted Brie on toasts, top with the fruit and enjoy!

June 18, 2024