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#FlavourStory: The Great Canadian Grille-Off!

July 31, 2014 By Lena

Some people vie for the best car. Others, the best lawn or garden. And for a long time, in a room full of strangers, I needed to have the most frivolous designer handbag. (It’s okay, you can roll your eyes at me.) And my husband? Well, it’s simple – he needs to be the best grill master ever. Honestly! He’s constantly comparing his barbecuing expertise with every person he meets. And – shhh – he judges people based on theirs. I know he does.

You could say that he’s the perfect candidate for a Grille-Off! Introducing the Club House La Grille Spice Challenge. Throughout the summer, eight celebrity chefs from across Canada will compete in four culinary duels to determine the BEST barbecue recipes using Club House products.

Grille-OffWhat’s in it for you? Well, besides the opportunity discover new and delicious recipes that you can steal for your own backyard barbecues, if you vote for your favourite Great Canadian Grille-Off recipes, you’ll have the chance to win a $500 pre-paid credit card! And, you’ll also be automatically entered to win the grand prize: a sizzling summer grilling party hosted by a celebrity chef for you and five lucky friends. PLUS, you’ll get a $2,000 pre-paid credit card to put towards the grill of your dreams!

This week, we’ve got two amazing Toronto chefs going head to head; Chef Joanna Tymkiw debuts her Crispy Thai Tacos using Roasted Garlic and Peppers Rub Marinade, while Chef Rocco Agostino presents his Montreal Rubbed Flank Steak Speducci featuring Montreal Steak Spice Rub Marinade. And great news! I just happen to have a copy of their recipes to share with you!

Chef Joanna: “Toronto has a colourful blend of ethnicities and cultures which is celebrated throughout my cuisine. The city offers the newest fusion food creations which you’ll find anywhere, from renowned restaurants to foodie favoured food trucks. I believe a recipe featuring warm weather fare like tacos with the refreshing yet satisfying elements of Thai cuisine is sure to be a hit with home cooks.” 

Chicken Thai TacosSticky Pork Thai Tacos with Mango Salsa

Preparation Time: 25 mins; Cook Time: 10 mins; Portion: Serves 4

Toppings:
• 8-12 Small tortillas
• 2 avocados, sliced
• 2 limes, cut into wedges
• Red Thai peppers or green jalapenos, chopped
• ½ cabbage, thinly sliced

Mango Salsa:
• 2 mangoes, skin and pit removed
• ½ red onion, roughly chopped
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 handful of cilantro leaves
• ½ tsp (2ml) of salt

Sticky Pork:
• 6 tbsp (90ml) Club House La Grille Roasted Garlic & Peppers Rub Marinade
• 2 tbsp (30ml) liquid honey
• 1 lbs. (450 grams) boneless, thinly cut pork loin chops
• ¼ cup (59ml) corn starch
• Club House Sea Salt and Club House Black Pepper to taste

1. Prepare all of the topping ingredients. Set aside on individual plates so people can top tacos however they like.
2. Combine all mango salsa ingredients in food processor. Pulse a few times until roughly chopped. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, whisk together Club House La Grille Roasted Garlic & Peppers Rub Marinade and honey.
4. In large frying pan, add 1 cm of vegetable oil. Heat on medium/high heat.
5. Slice pork into long, thin slices.
6. Add to bowl with corn starch and a generous pinch of salt and pepper Club House Sea Salt Grinder and Club House Black Pepper Grinder. Toss to coat.
7. Once oil is hot, add half of the pork. Fry until lightly golden and pork is cooked through.
8. Using slotted spoon, remove cooked pork and add to paper towel-lined plate.
9. Cook remaining pork. Once all pork is cooked, add to bowl of glaze and stir to coat.
10. Use to top tortillas along with mango salsa, avocado, lime juice, hot peppers and cabbage.

Chef Rocco: “For my summertime BBQ appetizer, I chose Club House La Grille Montreal Steak Spice 30 Minute Marinade. I wanted to build on a classic Italian favourite. Inspired by the culture’s simple approach to cooking, this dish uses few ingredients but delivers bold flavour, making it great for any occasion.”

Rocco's ImageMontreal Steak Spice Flank Steak Speducci (Skewers)

Prep Time: 20min; Cooking: 10 min; Portion: Makes 3 Speducci (Skewers)

• 150 grams (5.2 ounce) flank steak, sliced into ½” cubes
• 60 grams (1.2 ounce) day-old bread (baguette style, cut into ½”cubes
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) Club House La Grille Montreal Steak Spice 30 Minute Marinade
• 1 tbsp parsley (15ml) + 1 teaspoon, (5 ml) chopped
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil + 1 teaspoon (5 ml)
• 1½ tbsp (22ml) squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp (5ml) Bomba (Italian condiment)
• ½ tsp of salt

1. Soak the 5-inch skewers in water for 20 mins.
2. Turn on grill to a medium or medium/high heat.
3. In a bowl, mix all ingredients, except the flank steak and day-old bread, with a whisk to bring mixture together.
4. Add the flank steak in the marinade and let stand for 20 minutes
5. Skewer the marinated meat and bread, alternating between the two ingredients.
6. Once the BBQ is up to temperature, lightly grease the grill to keep the skewers from sticking.
7. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.
8. When the skewers are done, remove from the grill and place on a plate.
9. Garnish the skewers with 1 teaspoon of the chopped parsley and drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over Speducci.
10. Enjoy this summer favorite!

They both sound so scrumptious, I’m not sure I can choose a winner! So, I asked my husband, el grill master extraordinaire, to take a peek – and he thinks that Chef Joanna has the edge :) For your chance to win, don’t forget to cast your vote!

I’d love it if you could share your summer grilling stories with me this weekend! Tweet @Listen2Lena using the hashtag #FlavourStory.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: #FlavourStory, Club House La Grille Spice Challenge, easy meal ideas, Great Canadian Grille-Off

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ivy pluchinsky

    July 31, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    love that recipe! i may need to try that soon

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Me too – I’m definitely going to give it a try!

  2. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    July 31, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    that sauce actually sounds good for ribs too.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Great idea! I use sauces on practically everything :)

  3. MrDisco

    July 31, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Steak? Yes please.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      Indeed! One of my faves!

  4. Karen E. Hill

    July 31, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    I don’t know what camera you use to take your pics, but they are so real, the food could jump right off the plate! Into my mouth of course

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks Karen! But I can’t take the credit – that’s Chef Rocco’s picture that is leaping off the page!

  5. Donnas

    July 31, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    I’d love to try that flank steak.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      Mmm… it does sound amazing :)

  6. Hibbat

    July 31, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Love anything to do with food! My instagram is filled with food pics (@hungryhiba). I will definitely try the the roasted garlic and peppers rub! It all looks/sounds delish!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      I follow you on Instagram and am very aware of your scrumptious food pics!

  7. Athena

    July 31, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    I may have to give this a try!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      I think you may!

  8. Rossana

    July 31, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    These both sound amazing! Am going to have to find out if marinade and rub are gluten free and substitute the baguette for a GF one! :)

    Thanks!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      Sounds like a great plan!

  9. Heidi C.

    July 31, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    I have to go with Chef Rocco for the Montreal Steak Spice!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      After reading all the comments I think you all are loving his dish. Don’t forget to vote!

  10. Yuen C

    August 1, 2014 at 3:55 am

    That looks tasty!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:27 pm

      They both do!

  11. Flora M

    August 1, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    I like the sounds of the Sticky Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa – that way you can customize the spiciness :)
    I have already used the Montreal Steak spice marinade for beef-ka-bobs and love it, so would want to try something different ;)

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      So happy to hear you love the Montreal Steak Spice marinade!

  12. Suzie M

    August 1, 2014 at 9:04 pm

    they all sound so good but thr mango salsa does it for me

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      Don’t forget to vote for a chance to win, Suzie!

  13. Darlene Schuller

    August 3, 2014 at 9:29 am

    That recipe makes my mouth water..

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      I know. I can’t look at this post when I’m hungry :)

  14. Victoria Ess

    August 3, 2014 at 11:57 am

    The marinade sounds delicious!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm

      I adore Club House marinades!

  15. Judy Cowan

    August 3, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    Going to have to try out the Montreal Steak Spice Flank Steak Speducci (Skewers)!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Let me know what you think Judy!

  16. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    August 3, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    money and tasty recipes cant beat that

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Ha! You’re absolutely right Chandra!

  17. marissa

    August 3, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    I’m already drooling just thinking about the mango salsa recipe.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:29 pm

      Mmm… me too!

  18. Eldon

    August 3, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    I got to try this!

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Yes, you do! And don’t forget to vote!

  19. Lauren

    August 3, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Thai tacos look amazing.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      They do, don’t they?

  20. MrDisco

    August 3, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Grilled sausages … i can just taste it now. well no i can’t as all i have is this celery stick.

    • Lena

      August 4, 2014 at 12:30 pm

      Are you on a diet, Mr. Disco??

  21. Charlotte

    August 5, 2014 at 10:32 am

    It’s the tacos for me, have to try them, that recipe sounds amazing!

    • Lena

      August 5, 2014 at 5:51 pm

      Doesn’t it?? I love tacos!

  22. Branka Stefanovic

    August 5, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    My mouth is watering. Can’t wait to try the Flank Steak Speducci

    • Lena

      August 5, 2014 at 5:52 pm

      Let me know what you think Branka!!

  23. Melinda L.

    August 6, 2014 at 11:14 am

    Absolutely drool worthy recipes.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      I agree Melinda!

  24. Cathy C

    August 6, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    This was not an easy decision but the avocado keeps calling my name! and the mango!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Mmmm great choice!

  25. JohnA

    August 6, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    Sticky Pork Thai Tacos with Mango Salsa sound like one to try.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Hope you try it!

  26. MrDisco

    August 7, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    man i’m starving just looking at the pictures

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Me too :)

  27. Wanda Tracey

    August 7, 2014 at 11:30 pm

    Sticky PorkThai Tacos with Mango Salsa is the one for me.I’m trying not to drool on the picture.It looks amazing.

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      It was so good!

  28. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    August 10, 2014 at 10:41 am

    why is it when you’re trying to lose weight I cant stop looking at the food blogs or recipes. lol my daughter just got engaged couple of days ago so now I have around a yr or less if they pick a date to get unfat!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:34 pm

      Congrats on your daughter’s engagement!

  29. Joanna Tymkiw

    August 26, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Just stumbled upon this! I’m so excited to see so many people enjoying the sound and sight of my recipe (Thai Tacos). Thanks you guys! Hope you gave it a try!

    • Lena

      September 7, 2014 at 5:34 pm

      Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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