Lucas Sin's Method for Perfectly Grilled Vegetables | Why it Works

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH WHITE SAUCE:
In Season 1, Episode 2 of Why it Works with Lucas Sin, we learn everything necessary to get the perfect charred vegetables, every time. Maximizing color and flavor is a top priority, along with a generous topping of Lucas's version of the famous halal cart white sauce.

"Properly cooked vegetables can truly elevate a barbecue. Though often overlooked, grilling vegetables opens up a world of textures, colors, and flavors. We don’t need to resort to the same cliches every time we grill like corn on the cob and we can cook with the seasons: spring offers vibrant green peas, early summer brings fennel and cauliflower, followed by bright sweet peppers, and fall brings forth squash and pumpkins. As winter sets in, we find robust kale and brussels sprouts. If you share a love for grilling or cooking over live fire, neglecting vegetables would be a missed opportunity, whatever month of the year.

However, the diverse range of vegetables and their varying textures present challenges on grilling day. Each vegetable requires different cooking times, making it difficult to achieve consistent results when cooking them from raw. Some tougher vegetables struggle to cook through the center without losing vibrant color or becoming overly charred on the outside. Additionally, if a significant effort has already been dedicated to cooking the meat, vegetables might become a burden relegated to the end of the barbecue.

An elegant solution is to pre-cook the vegetables before heating up the grill. And the best way to do so is to blanch them. Blanching the vegetables is the best way to preserve their flavor, texture, and color. Heat coaxes them out and ice locks them in. Much like the Chinese practice of blanching vegetables prior to stir-frying in a wok, this method ensures the vegetables only need a brief encounter with high heat on the grill to achieve the desired blistering and smoky flavor we crave in barbecue. With this approach, the vegetables will cook for a similar length of time on the grill, just a couple of minutes to achieve a delightful char. Personally, I prefer to cook my vegetables early on in the grilling session when the barbecue is at its hottest, typically at the beginning once the coals are white hot.

The following recipe focuses on grilling cabbage, a notoriously challenging vegetable to grill from raw. However, the technique can be applied to any hearty vegetables you have available. This dish also features an all-purpose sauce inspired by the beloved halal cart white sauce, enhanced with the addition of savory smoked oysters. The sauce is creamy and substantial, while the optional garnishes provide additional texture, herbaceousness, spice, and zing." ~ Lucas Sin

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - Halal Cart Style White Sauce
01:41 - Prep the Veggies
04:50 - Blanch Your Vegetables
06:58 - Fire Up the Grill
08:35 - Plate & Serve!

GET THE RECIPE:
Grilled Vegetables with White Sauce: https://f52.co/3ENAJCT

PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Pro 7" Vegetable Cleaver: https://f52.co/3Zrm2z0
Dreamfarm Fluicer Fold-Flat Citrus Juicer: https://f52.co/3ZrlJ7k

MORE ABOUT WHY IT WORKS:
In this technique-driven series, Food52 Resident Lucas Sin dives into the reasoning behind the culinary methods he uses in the kitchen. We'll learn why certain Chinese cooking techniques work and how they can be applied beyond their traditional recipes. If you're looking to level up in the kitchen, this skill-centered series is a great place to start!

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