Library notes: Tempt your taste buds and polish your grilling skills

Thursday, July 02, 2009 2:06 PM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

Dr. Betty Middleton

Rowan Public Library

We think of the great outdoors whenever someone mentions grilling (or barbeque).

However, with all of the appliances we now have, we no longer need to be confined to indoors or outdoors, summer or winter, park or apartment.

In the year-round cookbook "All Fired Up" by Margaret Howard, you will discover how to get the maximum satisfaction from your barbecue grill, whether it is outdoors on your deck or indoors on your kitchen range."All Fired Up" has recipes such as Leg of Lamb with Port Wine sauce, Grilled Red Pepper and Herb Dip. It also covers appetizers, side dishes, marinades and more.

Bobby Flay, of Food Network fame, has written "Boy Meets Grill." This is a comprehensive cookbook containing easy-to-follow recipes as well as fantastic one-of-a- kind beverages and great desserts. You don't have to have complicated or fancy equipment, these recipes are perfect for both gas and charcoal grills.Also from the Food Network, the library also has on DVD "Paula's Home Cooking with Paula Deen" that contains a collection of desserts and barbecue recipes.

From America's award winning grilling expert Steven Raichen comes several books. If you are a beginner, "How to Grill" is for you. This show-and-tell chef makes every detail clear and easy. In his "Indoor Grilling" book, Steven prepares recipes for the countertop rotisserie, indoor smokers and even the fireplace. A sidebar shows how to cook most recipes on these alternative devices.

If you are looking for the best in Southern and traditional barbecues, check out "Cornbread Nation," edited by John Egerton. This book includes favorite recipes recently published in magazines and journals.

"Holy Smoke: Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue," by John Shelton Reed and Dale Volberg Reed, with William McKinney, contains everything from recipes and local folklore to how to build your own barbecue pit.

"North Carolina Barbecue: Flavored by Time," by Bob Garner shares the traditional barbecue recipes, tells about its history, and the best places to find good barbecue.

These books are just a few that will get you going on your grilling so that you will be able to enjoy the fun and flavors all year long.

Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Headquarters — Monday, 7 p.m., Creating a Free Website: Part One; Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Absolute Beginner's Computer Class; July 13, 7 p.m., Downloadable Audiobooks with NCDigital Library; July 16, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Yahoo E-mail; July 20, 7 p.m., Creating a Free Website: Part Two; July 23, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Resume Maker.

Children's: Summer Reading Program. This week's featured program features Bobby Pell, "Realms of Faeries-Magical Creatures." Storytellers, educators and entertainers will make "Be Creative" a fun-filled summer. For more information, call 704-216-8234. Children must be the minimum age listed by May 1.Headquarters: Tumblers (12-24 months) Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds) Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds) Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders) Tuesdays, 2 p.m.

East: Tumblers (12-24 months), Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders) Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

South: Tumblers (12-24 months), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Dancers (2-year-olds), Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Singers (3- to 5-year-olds), Mondays, 10:30 a.m.; Artist (rising first- through fifth-graders), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Teen program: Come make your own puppet at Puppet Mania. Lots of interesting supplies to choose from. Put together a rodent, monster or a strongman to take home. Pizza and snacks will be served; weekly door prizes and raffle drawings. Teens can attend any of the programs without registration.

Headquarters, Mondays, 5:30 p.m.; South, Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.; East, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday Night at the Movies: All movies are at 6:30 p.m. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13; some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.

July movies are about man's best friend.

Tuesday, "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." July 14, "Marley & Me"; July 21, "My Dog Skip"; July 28, "Hotel for Dogs."

Displays: Headquarters — Irlen Method of Salisbury by Terri Cassell; South — Rowan Doll Club by Donnie Whiteside.Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.