Barbecue Safety Tips

Memorial Day unofficially marks the beginning of summertime activity, and summer marks the beginning of barbecue season. It’s time to dust off the grill, stock up on briquets and get ready for the delicious smoked flavor of barbecued meats and vegetables.
   But before you dive in, you’ll want to consider these tips for barbecue safety. 

• Keep foods refrigerated until you’re ready to cook them, including foods that are marinated. 
• If you’re precooking meat before grilling, immediately transfer it to the hot grill. 
• When marinating raw meat or chicken, discard any leftover marinade. Don’t use leftover marinade as a sauce or save it for next time. 
• Use a clean plate when you take your cooked meat off the grill, not the one that held the raw meat. 
• When on outings, keep all meats, salads, and sauces in a cooler with plenty of ice. 
• Promptly refrigerate any leftovers. 

   This recipe for pocket chicken breasts is a tasty way to start off the outdoor cooking season. 

Pocket Chicken Breasts Recipe

Ingredients:

• Main Dish:
  • 18 wooden toothpicks (not colored)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • Cream cheese filling (recipe below)
• Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil leaves
  • 1 3-ounce package low-fat cream cheese
  • Dash of pepper

Preparation Instructions

1. Prepare the Toothpicks and Filling:
   • Soak toothpicks in water to prevent burning.
   • Combine filling ingredients: garlic, chives, basil, cream cheese, and pepper.
2. Create the Chicken Pockets:
   • Cut a horizontal slit in each chicken breast to form a 3-inch pocket.
   • Insert 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese filling into each pocket and secure with soaked toothpicks.
3. Grill the Chicken:
   • Combine olive oil, lime juice, and water for basting.
   • Grill chicken over medium coals for 15–20 minutes, basting occasionally.
   • Turn and grill for another 10–20 minutes until chicken is tender and fully cooked.