Stars and steaks forever

By Sharon Dowell

Published: June 7, 2006

With Father's Day just around the corner June 18 to be exact a collection of steak recipes might be the perfect gift, especially if Dad is an avid outdoor chef. Pair the book with a set of grill tools or other barbecue accessories or even some fresh steaks for an outstanding gift that also supports a good cause.

Grilling tools may be perfect gift for Dad
Rib-Eye Steaks With Mediterranean 'Marine-ade'

The cookbook's grilled steak recipes created by current and former Marines include red meat masterpieces such as Presidente Steak, Sensational Southern Steaks and Rib-Eye Steaks With Mediterranean "Marine-ade." The cookbook, compiled by Weber (the grill makers), will benefit families of wounded and deceased Marines. Buy the $10 book and all the money goes to four charities: Wounded Warrior Project, Fisher House, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation.

The idea for a steak grilling competition among Marines and a companion cookbook featuring profiles of the finalists and their recipes began during a conversation over burgers and beef at Fleet Week 2005, writes Mike Kempster, a Weber vice president, in the book's opening pages.

Two officials from Weber-Stephen Products Co. met a high-ranking Marine a year ago, and they spent the evening discussing the merits of grilling a perfect steak and how Marines often showed off their grilling skills as a way to relax. The conversation led to meetings between Weber and the Marines, and plans were quickly cooked up for 10 grilling contests to be held at Marine installations across the country last fall.

"Command of the Grill A Salute to Steak" includes a "steak boot camp" with details about how steaks are aged, the different cuts of steak, grilling tips, details on getting the grill marks just right on a steak, how to test to see if a steak is done and a quick look at direct and indirect grilling details. A chart for grilling vegetables is also included. The four charities benefiting from the book's proceeds are also detailed.

Recipes from famous former Marines such as Lee Trevino and Ed McMahon are also in the book, as are recipes from some of the other Marines who participated in the grilling contest.

"Our goal is to raise at least a half-million dollars to help support the brave men and women who have put their lives on the line to serve our country," Weber spokeswoman Sherry Bale said.

The book can be ordered by going online to commandofthegrill.com or by calling the Weber Grill-Line at (800) GRILL-OUT (474-5568). You might even find the book at local home centers or stores that sell outdoor cooking utensils or grilling accessories.

The recipe for Rib-Eye Steaks With Mediterranean "Marine-ade" offers a preview of the recipes from the cookbook. It was created by the only woman to compete in the grill-off, Lance Cpl. Jaynine Goodroe, and the book says her secret was marinating the rib-eye steaks in lemon juice and then grilling the meat over direct heat at a high temperature. The recipe is printed below.

Sharon Dowell: 475-3304, sdowell@oklahoman.com