Every month, Paul gets to choose a recipe for me to review. Usually that means he picks a specific meal, challenges me to make something new, and then enjoys giving his official opinion afterward.
This month, however, he had a different idea. Instead of choosing a recipe, Paul chose a cooking method. Specifically, he chose his new grill.
And honestly? I think we may have accidentally unlocked a whole new category of recipe reviews.
The Father’s Day Gift That Started It All
For Father’s Day this year, Paul got a new grill. Naturally, he wanted to use it as soon as possible.
I can’t say I blame him. There’s just something about a new cooking gadget that immediately makes you start planning meals around it. And since this month’s Paul’s Pick landed right after Father’s Day, it felt like the perfect excuse.
This Week’s Menu
The inaugural official grill dinner was simple:
- Ribeye steaks
- Grilled potatoes
No complicated recipe. No long ingredient list. Just good ingredients cooked well. Sometimes that’s all you need.
How It Turned Out
The steaks were fantastic.
The potatoes were simple, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the ribeyes.
It’s hard to give a traditional recipe review when there wasn’t really a recipe involved, but the meal itself absolutely delivered.
More importantly, Paul had a great time making it.
A New Kitchen Role for Paul
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Paul is that he supports this blog even when it means regularly eating whatever recipe I’ve decided to test that week.
He’s my taste tester, my second opinion, and occasionally the person reminding me that maybe not every vegetable needs to be mixed into the same dish.
Now, with the grill, he has officially added another role:
Grill Master.
Since getting the grill, he’s already made:
- burgers
- chicken
- ribeyes
And I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
What This Means for Future Reviews
One thing that excited me about this dinner was realizing how many possibilities the grill opens up.
Up until now, most of my reviews have come from:
- slow cookers
- casseroles
- skillet meals
- pasta dishes
- oven recipes
Now? We suddenly have a whole new category to explore:
- Grilled chicken
- Grilled vegetables
- Burgers
- Kabobs
- Steaks
And whatever else Paul decides sounds like a good idea.
I have a feeling the grill is going to make quite a few appearances on the blog this summer.
Family Review
Paul: Very pleased with both the meal and the fact that he got to use his new grill.
Charlotte (toddler): Enjoyed some potatoes and happily joined us for dinner.
Ben: Was much more interested in being outside than providing an official food review, which honestly feels appropriate for summer.
Me: Happy to eat a good steak and excited about the future grilling possibilities.
Final Thoughts
This month’s Paul’s Pick ended up being a little different than usual.
There wasn’t a recipe card or a rating. There wasn’t even much measuring.
Instead, it became something better. A reminder that some of our favorite meals aren’t necessarily complicated.
They’re the meals shared with family, especially when someone is excited to cook them.
And if this dinner is any indication, I think we’re entering our grilling era. Which should make for some fun future reviews.
Looking for recipes Paul wanted to try? You can find his picks here: Paul’s Pick
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