Summer is in the air, and that means the smell of barbecue should be too! Whether it’s an all-day weekend gathering or just a normal night of preparing dinner for your family, if you want to serve the best grilled food on the block this year, keep these tips in mind the next time you're cooking out.

Of course, recipes are important, but with outdoor cooking, techniques matter most. Learn these essentials for better grilling, and you will become a true BBQ master.

1. Preheat the Grill

Preheat your grill with the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes.

With all the coals glowing red, or all the gas burners on high, the temperature under the lid should reach 500F.

The heat loosens any bits and pieces of food hanging onto the grate, making it easy to brush them off.

Preheating your grill also helps prevent food from sticking to the grate and gets the grate hot enough to sear properly.

2. Keep it Clean

When bits of food have stuck to your cooking grate, and the grate is hot, clean it with a stainless-steel brush. This step is not only for cleanliness. It also prevents your food from sticking.

Note: Replace brush if any loose bristles are found on cooking grates or brush.

3. Oil the Food, Not the Grate

Oil prevents food from sticking. It adds flavor and moisture, too.

Lightly brushing or spraying the food with oil works better than brushing the grate.

4. Keep the Lid Down

Here are 4 important reasons why the lid should be closed as much as possible.

1. It keeps the grates hot enough to sear the food.
2. It speeds up the cooking time and prevents the food from drying out.
3. It traps the smokiness that develops when fat and juices vaporize in the grill.
4. It prevents flare-ups by limiting oxygen.
5. Time and Temperature -By monitoring your time and temperature you avoid overcooking your food.

Use a timer! If you are grilling in a colder climate or in a higher altitude, the cooking times will be longer. If the wind is blowing hard, it will lower a gas grill's temperature and raise a charcoal grill's temperature.

6. Know When to Be Direct, Know When to be Indirect

Direct heat (when the fire is directly below the food) is best for relatively small, tender pieces of food that cook in 20 minutes or less.

Indirect heat (when the fire is on either side of the food) is best for larger, tougher cuts of meat that require more than 20 minutes of cooking.

7. Tame the Flame

Too many flare-ups can burn your food. Keep the lid on as much as possible. This limits the amount of oxygen inside the grill, which will help extinguish any flare-ups.

If the flames are getting out of control, move the food over indirect heat temporarily, until they die down. Then move the food back.

8. Caramelization is Key

One of biggest reasons for the popularity of grilled food is its seared taste.

To develop this taste for maximum effect, use the right level of heat and resist the temptation to turn food often. Your patience will allow for caramelization or browning. That creates literally hundreds of flavors and aromas.

As a rule, turn food only once.

We know it's tempting to slather on sauce when you've got a sauce you love like any of our Bellisari's Sauces, but patience is key. Be careful not to sauce meats too early, especially if you are using a sweet sauce, as the sugars will burn. Sauce them during the final few minutes of cooking.

When checking for doneness, resist the urge to repeatedly poke, stab, or pierce your meat with a fork. The juices will escape, making the meat drier and less flavorful. Use a spatula or tongs to move and flip your food.

Food continues to cook after it comes off the grill, so it’s best to remove it just before it has reached the desired doneness. I always use a thermometer. A thermometer is the only way to guarantee that your meat has been cooked to the correct internal temperature, and it makes it easy to get consistently great results from your grilling efforts.

There are a million ways to celebrate Dad this Father's Day, but as we all know, his favorite way to enjoy it would be spending the day with you. On June 16, plan special Father's Day activities that will really show your father or husband how much you care.

Go Bowling -- Bowling is a great family activity because all ages can participate, and you can play in any weather.

Watch Movies -- Make Father's Day a movie night by screening some of Dad's favorites. Obviously, keep age-appropriateness in mind when you're picking your selections.

Go to a Water Park -- The temps are starting to rise and it's a great time to splash around with Dad.

Play Video Games -- If Dad loves playing video games, join him for a couple of hours of Mario Kart or Fortnite.

Pick a Picnic Spot -- There's no reason you can't head outdoors for a fun family meal. Surprise Dad by packing his favorite foods and stake out a spot at a local park. (*See our blog from 5/29/19 for great portable food ideas!)

Go Camping -- There's so much exploring and bonding to be had on a camping trip. Treat dad to a great outdoor getaway by helping him pitch a tent, make some s'mores, and do a little stargazing.

Go to a Baseball Game -- If dad is a big sports fan, there's no better way to spend Father's Day than at his favorite team's park. Most major and minor baseball leagues offer specials — from food deals to discounted tickets — so book your seats for June 16!

Visit a Museum -- Perhaps your partner wants to do some learning on his special day — take him and the kids to a local museum with an exciting exhibit.

Head to an Amusement Park -- Take a drive to the closest theme park and spend the entire day there with the family. From thrilling rollercoaster rides to carnival food, it's a place where any father can act like a kid again.

Make Him a Father's Day Brunch -- Make Dad's day by serving him the ultimate brunch. Try this sweet and spicy Jalapeno Fig stuffed French Toast.

The benefits of cooking with children are almost too many to cover in one blog! Spending time in the kitchen and cooking new recipes helps children to develop a positive connection to all different types of foods, including fruits and vegetables. Forming a positive experience with fresh foods is so important because healthy foods are the foundation for good nutrition. Children will also learn basic cooking skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Since children learn best by touching, tasting, feeling, smelling, and listening, they love activities in the kitchen because they can use all their senses. Cooking with kids provides practical experience with many essential skills such as reading, following directions, and measuring. Getting involved in cooking helps your child to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even early concepts of math and science. There are just so many great benefits to cooking with kids.

Almost any recipe can be adapted in order to make it with help from the kids, but I find that making something that’s fun and that they like is a great place to start! Most kids like pizza, right? It’s the perfect thing to make with children – fun and easy! Use unconventional bases as the crust like French bread, English muffins, or tortillas for an easy start. Then line up the potential toppings and let the kiddos pile on what they want on their individual pizza.

Here’s a simple basic start: First, brush a little olive oil on the crust you’re using. Then use our Calabrian Pepper & Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread as an easy and delicious sauce. From there just add cheese and any other toppings you like! Bake at 400 until the cheese is melted. The children will love eating their very own creations.

Our children are more capable than we give them credit for. Don’t be afraid to bring little ones into the kitchen to help. One tip for teaching small kids to do things like pour drinks or spread peanut butter and jelly is to open your dishwasher and use that as their tabletop. It's the right height and it’s self-cleaning! Close the door and run the next load of dishes. 😉

Finally, cooking with kids is great family time. It is an opportunity to meal plan, look for recipes, and share ideas on why and how to make meals healthier for the whole family.

Summer means lunches by the pool, snacks on the sand, dinner on a blanket by the lake, and usually, lots of hungry mouths to feed. Although it’s fun and convenient to buy food at the beach or pool, it can be expensive, and it’s often hard to find healthy options. With some planning, you can spare your wallet and your waistline by packing some healthy snacks or meals in advance of heading out the door.

An insulated cooler is necessary; however, ice cubes can melt quickly. One suggestion is to freeze plastic bottles of water and individual 100 percent juice pouches. They will help keep your food cool, preventing spoilage, and they will provide chilled drinks to stay hydrated!

Even when you have a cooler, some foods hold up better than others. Of course, you can always pack the basics, like crackers, chips, nuts, and dried fruit in your pool bag, but when you plan to spend the day, it’s good to have something a little more substantial.

Here are some suggestions that hold up well:

Wraps -- I always opt for wraps over regular sandwiches when packing lunch for a day at the pool or beach. For one, it’s just fun to coil things up in a tortilla. But more importantly, when the fillings are tucked away on the inside, they’re better protected — plus wraps are easy to eat with one hand. Here’s a favorite of mine: https://bit.ly/2M6TNDU

Skewers -- Because food on skewers is always more fun! Whether you go for fruit, veggies, or meat, kabobs make great beach and pool fare. This is a hands-off (read, sand-free!) meal that’s utensil-free and easy to eat, with even easier cleanup. https://bit.ly/2QgRxID

Couscous or pasta salad -- I’ve had a lot of experience with both of these, and they tend to hold up well in the heat. https://bit.ly/2FZ4vaw

Lettuce wraps -- I love this suggestion in lieu of a salad. Wrap up some chopped vegetables or other components in big, oversized leaves of iceberg lettuce. Then wrap in foil, so you can just peel it back and eat. Kids love dipping these in ranch dressing!

Hard boiled eggs -- Keep them cool, and it will be a perfect protein pick-me-up when the kids start getting groggy.

Whole fruit/ applesauce -- These are extra yummy when kept cold.  

String Cheese -- These are great because they are individually wrapped, providing perfect portion control.

Cookies -- Don’t forget dessert! Cookies are a simple finger food to curb your post-lunch sweet tooth. You won’t hear me say this often, but it’s probably best to skip anything chocolate to avoid a melty mess.

Packing healthy food that does well in coolers for the beach and pool will keep everyone satisfied, will provide energy, and will contribute to a fun day. Don’t forget the hand wipes and sun screen!

Today I’m giving you all a peak at what goes into the creative side of our business. We recently did a video shoot with Vital Companies, a video production company that specializes in creating dynamic digital and shareable content for marketing, helping clients grow their brands and their businesses. Working with Jason Clayton and his team is always a pleasure. They are so easy to work with, and the final product they deliver is excellent. Look them up on Facebook at Vital Companies or on Instagram @vitalcompanies. The pictures accompanying the blog today are just a few candid shots of part of the process that goes into developing new products and recipes using our gourmet sauces and spreads.

If you follow us regularly on Facebook or if you’ve taken a few minutes to explore our website, you know that we offer many creative suggestions for the use of our products. As you can see in the photos, I spend time testing different flavors and ingredient combinations that will be complemented by our sauces and spreads. My goal is to help you all make the most of our Bellisari’s products! Gourmet convenience is not just a slogan for us. It’s a lifestyle that guides every amazing and delicious decision we make. To me, gourmet convenience means the marriage of quality ingredients with unique flavors that have been carefully put together through a passion for food. At Bellisari’s, we strive to make that gourmet appetizer, entrée, or even a breakfast something that tastes amazing but doesn’t take a long time or lots of ingredients to prepare.

We have some exciting news! I’ve been working extra hard in the kitchen, and we’ll soon be introducing three new spreads to our product line. That’s all I’m saying for now, but you can continue to read my blogs and follow us on social media to make sure you are among the first to hear/read when we make our big announcement. For now, enjoy these behind the scenes photos taken as Vital Companies and I show how we “make the magic happen!”