Hi, friends! Â This post is being republished from 2014, I always like going through old blog posts so I can find photos like this:
The funny part is we literally upgraded our grill to a gas grill last week, yep we’ve been rocking with that awesome coal grill since 2014.  I will say that I loved our old grill, it did the job we wanted it too, but this new grill I can operate on my own without supervision, so that’s always a plus since I have a food blog and all.
Although, I will say I never describe it like that ever. Â I know that I post 2-3 new recipes per a week, but I still consider a lifestyle blog. Â Mostly because I hardly ever talk about the recipe I posted. Â #easilydistracted
Today I’m going to try and stay on topic for ten seconds. Â Let’s talk about heterocyclic amines (HCAs) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Â I know, right. Â You are like hetero-o-ah-poly what? Girl, I feel you.
Here is what you need to know, these are potentially carcinogenic compounds created when meat (and chicken or fish) is cooked using a high-temperature method such as pan frying or over an open flame (see above for clarification of open flame).
What does potentially carcinogenic mean? It basically means that researchers suspect a link based on animal studies and population studies, but nothing has been proven yet. Since I wrote this post in 2014, there has been a significant influx of research continuing to suggest potential negative impacts on our health. Â (More Info). Â Lucky for us there are a few easy ways to reduce their formation and your exposure to them to these harmful compounds.
10 Healthy Grilling Tips
- Choose lean cuts of meats, chicken, and fish. Â The PAHs and HACs are created when the fat drips onto the flames.
- Trim excess fat and skin from meat and chicken. See above.
- Marinate meat in mixtures of oil, vinegar, herbs, spices and even beer! Â This reduces the formation of carcinogenic compounds.
- Pre-cook meat/ thaw in the microwave instead of on the grill to reduce the amount of time it is grilled for.
- For meats or chicken, cut into smaller cubes so that it will cook faster.
- Flip meat very frequently.
- Avoid exposure to flames by placing items over tin foil.
- Remove charred pieces of meat and avoid using drippings for gravy.
- Grill veggies to add cancer-fighting phytochemicals (veggies don’t form HCAs or PAHs)–> like the grilled Brussels Sprouts below!
- Clean the grill in between use.
References:
- Chemicals Cooked in High Temperatures and Cancer Risk (National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet)
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Grilled Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 lbs petite brussels sprouts
- 2 tbsp blood orange avocado oil https://amzn.to/2xZnEqH
- 2 tbsp coconut amino terriyaki sauce https://amzn.to/2sXtN0L
Instructions
- Clean and wash brussel sprouts. Cut them in half if they are big.
- Steam them for 3-4 minutes. You want them to be tender but slightly undercooked. Microwave times will vary if you use the microwave.
- Toss them with avocado oil and teriyaki sauce
- Add them to metal or wooden skewers.
- Place them on top of metal foil for 5 minutes, turning half way through.
- Remove foil from underneath and grill until desired crispiness is achieved (about 30 seconds to a minute for me). Remove from heat and skewers and enjoy!