Unlike face paint, John Madden, and the wave, tailgating is acceptable far from the stadium. So, come Sunday, fill the cooler, stow the Weber in your rig, and head for your favorite outdoor stomping grounds. Trust us: After a daylong adventure, a deluxe trailhead grilling session will revive your spirit like no energy bar can.
outdoor grill recipes
TRAIL BRAISER: Rocco and his dog, Tisha, in the New Jersey woods
To dial in the menu, we turned to celebrated New York City chef Rocco DiSpirito. Now that his two-season stint as the fiery, beleaguered star of the NBC reality show The Restaurant is over, Rocco says he’s rededicating himself to what he does best: cooking great food. Not that he’ll be chained to the kitchen. An avid cyclist and scuba diver, he’s got a number of getaways on tap—and is looking forward to mixing alfresco fun with serious cuisine. “Mountain-biking great trails, getting your heart rate up, getting dirty, then finding a spot to grill some food and open some wine . . .” he says, “it’s the good life embodied.”
MEALS ON WHEELS
Recipes adapted from (Hyperion, $25), available November 17:
ANTIPASTI
禄 HUNK OF PARMESAN
禄 FRESH ITALIAN BREAD
禄 SLICED PROSCIUTTO
禄 SLICED SALAMI
CAPRESE SALAD
禄 4 TOMATOES
禄 10 BASIL LEAVES
禄 8 OZ MOZZARELLA
Cut tomatoes into thick slices, starting from the bottom to avoid the stem. Bring fresh mozzarella to room temp and layer with the tomato and basil. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt. 禄 “Bring everything and make it there,” says Rocco. “If you prepare it in advance, it’ll get beat up.”
MAMA’S BBQ’D FLANK STEAK
禄 2 TBSP SPICY MUSTARD
禄 1 TBSP HONEY
禄 3/4 CUP BBQ SAUCE
禄 2 LBS FLANK STEAK
Combine mustard, honey, and barbecue sauce and slather on steak. Marinate chilled for at least an hour. Grill about four minutes per side for medium rare. 禄 “Prep the steak and throw it in a sealed plastic bag the night before you head out,” says Rocco.