You have mastered beef on the grill but have you tackled shellfish yet?  Not just any shellfish but the king of all seafood.  Yes, we are talking about grilling lobster on the grill.  Why pay so much money for lobster in fancy restaurants when you can make it at home for a portion of the cost.  Though lobster sounds intimidating, it is actually quite easy to make more delicious than you get it out.

First, you need the following ingredients:

(2 ) 10oz fresh lobster tails
4 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove
1 lemon
salt and pepper

Next prepare a sauce to baste the tails with.  Melt the butter and add in one minced clove of garlic.  Add in a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and gently warm them all to help infuse the flavors.

The next thing that you heed to do is put the lobster on its back, and cut (with a knife or kitchen scissor) the tails in half lengthwise.   Brush some of your baste mixture on all parts of the lobster meat under the shell.

Now, on a nice hot grill place the lobster tails (flesh side down) and cook for 4-5 minutes until you can see grill lines and then flip it.  Cook shell side down for another 4-5 minutes and remember to baste your tails while cooking.

That’s it.  Pair that with a good steak and you have a yummy surf and turf dinner!

Have you ever found that every time you grill chicken it ends up overcooked and dry?  You then find yourself thinking that dry is ok, as long as it isn’t undercooked?  Well there is a way to grill chicken, keep it juicy but most importantly save to eat.

The first thing to remember is it is best to cool chicken slowly.  Keep your temperature around 240 degrees.  This allows the chicken to cook completely without becoming charred on the outside.  Brushing the grate with olive oil prior to heating up the grill will also season the chicken and prevent it from sticking to the grill itself.

The next thing it to make sure that you are using the proper grilling tools when cooking the chicken.  Do not pierce the chicken when turning it.  This will only cause the juices to come out and and make your chicken rubbery and dry.
The last recommendation is to wait until the very end before coating the chicken with any sweet and sugary sauces.  This prevents fires from starting because of excess sauce and reduces the chance of bitter and burned chicken on the grill cause by sugars burning in sauce.

Hopefully this helps on your next grilling venture.  Remember that if you would like to turn your back yard into a mosquito free paradise, then just reach out to us at http://www.mrmosquito.com/.

It was decided that tonight is a steak night.  After work, you head to the market and pick out the most beautiful piece of filet, not to mention the priciest.  The grill is getting warmed up and the filets have been seasoned.  The filets are placed on the grill and begin cooking.  Cutting into the filet to check for doneness releases all of the juices making a dry steak.  No one wants to butcher a beautiful piece of steak, so what is the solution?  According to Real Simple magazine, the best way is to use a meat thermometer.  The temperatures are as follows:  125 degrees Fahrenheit for rare, 135 degrees Fahrenheit for medium, and 155 degrees Fahrenheit for well-done.

Now if you don’t happen to have one of those thermometers handy well you can actually use your hand to judge.   By checking comparing the firmness of meat to different parts of the hand you can get a pretty good judge of the temperature of the steak.  Use the diagram to the right to help you next time you are in front of the grill.

Area #1 reflects a rare steak.  The steak should be soft and not very resistant to the pressure of your finger.

Area #2 reflects a medium steak.  The steak is firm but still has some give when pressure is applied.

The third and final area reflects a well done steak.  This steak is firm as well but has very little give when pressure is applied.

Next time you have that perfect piece of meat and want to cook it to the temperature of your liking, remember to have a meat thermometer handy or just look down and compare its firmness to different regions of your hand.

For more information about how to turn your backyard into a mosquito free paradise, please check us out at www.MrMosquito.com.

Buying your first grill can be a bit overwhelming. There is a large variety to choose from however there is one major question that you need to ask yourself first. Is a gas grill better than a charcoal grill or vice versa? This heated debate has probably existed as long as the Bears – Packers rivalry and the supporters of both sides are just as passionate. There are definitely benefits to both and while I can provide you with a list of those benefits, you are the only one who can ultimately choose which is more suited towards your tastes.

So let’s start with the more traditional of the two which is a charcoal grill. Typically these are the cheaper of the two. Planning and shopping is a must before starting the grill. You must remember to purchase the charcoal briquettes and typically some form of lighter fluid. Some briquettes now come with the lighter fluid already in them, making them easier to light. Once the grill is lit, it takes around a half hour or more for the coals to be ready for cooking. The biggest benefit of a charcoal grill is that it gets substantially hotter than a gas grill does. This is important when you are looking to get a nice crispy sear on your steaks while still having them pink in the middle. Cooking on charcoal also gives the food a smokier taste, thus making it more favorable.

Now on to the gas grills. These tend to be more expensive because they are larger, have many more options available for them. These grills run on propane gas which is nice because you don’t have to continuously remember to repurchase it nearly as often as you do a charcoal grill. Gas grills are also much more convenient. They turn on with the turn of a knob and the push of a button. They are ready to cook within minutes and you do have temperature control on these units which allows you to create multi-zone cooking. They also are much easier to clean as they create very little ash unlike its earlier counterpart. There are some down sides however. Unless you purchase a very high end grill, they don’t
have enough heat to put a good sear on your steak. If you like a well done steak, this is the grill for you.

So it basically comes down to two things, taste or convenience. If you have more time, go with the charcoal. If you are always pressed for time or patience isn’t your strongest suit well the gas is probably the way to go. Whichever you choose, get out there and enjoy it. Life is more fun outside.

If you want to make your time in your back yard more enjoyable, spending a little time on your lawn may be just want you need.   Looking out at a nice plush lawn takes a little work but pays dividends while spending time with your friends in your backyard and everyone enjoys walking around in their bare feet.   With a little elbow grease, you can be the envy of all of your neighbors.

Your first step is getting rid of all of the left over debris that is laying around.  Grab  a rake and clean up all of the old leaves, sticks and dead grass that has accumulated for some time.   Put all of your trash in a hefty bag and get rid of it.  Also trim back any bushes while you are at it and get rid of that debris as well.

The next thing you need is you want to get your lawn aerated.  This is the key to a great lawn.  You can have a landscaper do this for you, or you can save money by renting a self propelled aerator.  This will help loosen up the soil and gets more oxygen into the ground.  This helps promote more root growth and gets your hard growing. Typically you only need to do this once a year and it should be done in the spring.

Once the lawn has been aerated, then you are ready to seed the lawn.  Use a hand held spreader with some seed and spread it over any of the dead spots in your lawn.  You can find the hand held spreaders at any home improvement store for fewer than twenty dollars.  Keep the seeds watered while they sprout and not cutting your lawn too short, (professionals recommend a 3 inch cut) and you will end up with a beautiful lawn.  Use a bit of fertilizer and you will be able to keep it that way remainder of the year.

Now that you have a beautiful lawn, don’t forget to let us help you with do-it-yourself exterior pest control.  What good is a nice lawn if all of your family members are getting eaten up by mosquitoes?

Some of the most important things that you will buy for your backyard are patio furniture.   Just like the furniture in your house, choosing your patio furniture should be a good balance of style, function and comfort.    Picking out an ultra modern set may look beautiful, but if no one can sit comfortably in it, is it worth it?

The largest decision to be made is what material would you like to have your patio furniture made from.   Aluminum is great because it is light weight and doesn’t rust.  It is easy to rearrange your outdoor space and if you have a surprising bout of rain, you won’t have to rush to pull it inside.  Aluminum however isn’t as stylish as some people would prefer and its lack of colors may turn some people off.   Plastic is also an option that is both budget-friendly and easy to maintain.  A quick hose down is all that is needed to clean it, but may not be your most stylish option.

Wood is another option for beautiful outdoor furniture.  Cedar and Teak are the most popular types of wood used.    Cedar has a beautiful scent and color but require treatment once it is exposed to the outside elements.   The scent of cedar also deters insects and other animals.    Teak is a great option for patio furniture because it doesn’t absorb heat.  It will stay cool on hot days and won’t typically rot or mildew.  Teak does change color as time passes but lots of people find that part of its charm.

Wicker and wrought iron are the other two most popular materials for outdoor furniture.  Wicker is beautiful and light weight but doesn’t survive the outdoor elements very well.  You would want to bring this furniture inside at night time and when it rains.    Wrought iron is the most sturdy and heavy of all of the elements.  Wrought iron is the most expensive option but also with proper care will last the longest.   The thicker the wrought iron pieces are, the longer they will last.  There are also plenty of styles available.  You can find a set that is very simple to go with a Zen backyard, or something more ornate for an English garden.

Once you have picked out the perfect furniture, why not check out my website to help make your new oasis a mosquito free one?