When I visit Oahu – I try to head to the North Shore to eat at ROMY’S. I first stopped here about 20 years ago with my buddy Chris Stoeklin – we were cruising the island looking for good beach time and this little road-side shack was just opening up for the mid-day lunch crowd. It was fantastic and I’ve tried to get back there whenever I get the chance, regardless of the line of people waiting, it’s my favorite location for shrimp on the North Shore. Romy’s serves a menu of shrimp and prawns caught fresh in the ponds in which they are raised – just a few yards from the kitchen.

We gotta have steamed shrimp with rice and garlic sauce.

And saute'd shrimp in garlic - oh my goodness it is tastyl!

I am one happy fella!

A hand lettered sign by the window where locals and visitors alike line up, place orders and wait for the food to be cooked reads something to the effect of: “It’s not Fast food. It’s good!”

So be patient, it’ll take 15-20 minutes for your order to be prepared in the small kitchen. That gives you time to chat with your mates, say aloha to others, take a walk around the pond near the little shack & look for koi, trout, bass, prawns and shrimp. And just hang loose and get into island time – what’s your hurry? Order what the locals are ordering – follow my lead – or make your own choice. Be sure to order a side of local fresh corn. Sneak a cold beer in a brown paper bag to pass around like we do. The shrimp and prawns are fresh, the people cooking are friendly and make sure to say thank you to them before your order! They put a lot of heart into their food and making them smile always seems to make my order look just a bit larger than the cranky tourists who complain that it isn’t instant food. In no time at all you be enjoying delicious prawns or shrimp in an amazing open air spot at one of the most beautiful places on earth!

“And cuz – you betta believe ROMY’S is da kine!”

Happy Eating!

Romy’s Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp, Inc.
56-781 Kamehameha Highway
Telephone: 808.232.2202

Taking a count this morning I found more than 100 cookbooks in my office – about 30 of which are on the subject of barbecuing, grilling or smoking food. While I have a couple of favorites I refer to time and again – this past week I was sent a copy of my new-very-best-most-favorite on the subject of barbecue.

Mastering Barbecue by Mike Stines.

That’s right, our own guest chef and regular contributor Mike Stines. I always enjoy reading Mike’s emails to me that include his own tasty recipes, tips and ideas – he shares them generously. This week I got an autographed copy of his book and I casually opened it at bed time. When I looked up at the clock I discovered I’d been reading it for several hours. This book is one you want to get. And I suggest you buy at least two back-ups because the first will get worn out and you don’t want to be with out it. And you’re gonna want to give one to your best friend who “thinks” they already know how to grill – but really REALLY needs this book.

Before I’d read the first 10 pages I’d learned something and by the time I’d read all of the pages I lost count of all the information I got from this book. One reviewer on Amazon.com says the book has no frills – just facts. And I agree.

I will be happily using the book as my reference for techniques and tips to improve my results. Mike provides information that cooks of any experience level will appreciate and can incorporate into their own style. Of all the books I’ve read on outdoor cooking this is one that shares the good stuff from someone who is truly a master.

Actually – that’s one of the great attributes of this entire backyard grilling and barbecue world – I’ve found the true masters want others to succeed at this experience and generously share their experiences, tips and recipes so you and I can enjoy cooking great food as much as they do.

I invite you to take a look at this great book and get one of your own! CLICK HERE

Happy Grilling!

If you’ve spent any time looking at new grills and barbeques in stores this spring you’ve seen a lot of bright shiny grills accompanied by big price tags and they are offering ‘high heat infrared.’ With the notable exception of Char-Broil, all of these infrared ’searing burners’ or ‘rotisserie burners’ or ‘grilling stations’ are using old technology that has been around for more than 15 years and they are adding it to existing designs because the patents finally lapsed. This old technology is primarily a ceramic material that generates the infrared energy under the grates – and eventually clogs up with drips, spills, etc. Well times have changed and Char-Broil is leading the way in infrared innovation. For 2008 Char-Broil gas grills with infrared inside feature exclusive patented infrared technology across the entire primary cooking surface. And only Char-Broil® builds these infrared products.

The Char-Broil® RED™ features a new U-shaped infrared emitter

Available exclusively at The Home Depot starting at $599.

The Char-Broil® RED® system produces 100% infrared cooking energy – with less BTU’s. The porcelain coated cast-iron grates are further away from the center of the U where the most energy is produced and closer at the top of the U – resulting in even heat across the entire cooking surface. The unique U shaped infrared emitters catch drips and grease as it falls from food – virtually eliminating flare-ups caused by direct contact with flames. Smoke chips can be added to the U emitter to produce results like the best smoke houses. RED control knobs have pre-set markings that allow you to select the right temperature range from Low & Slow BBQ or Rotisserie, to Grilling and for Searing.

Why am I such a big fan of Char-Broil? First of all they are very good. Second they have a broad line of grills and cookers – to fit just about any budget and style of cooking outdoors. If you are a fan of charcoal – the CB940X is a marvelous and heavy-duty charcoal grill with room for a small calf! If you want something a bit more portable in charcoal grills then you may want to own the CB500X with all the features of the larger cousin, but smaller and able to sit on a picnic table. The line of dual fuel grills which can use either propane or natural gas (with converter kits) is numerous and the Commercial Series grills have been rated very high by Consumer Reports several years running.

Oh – and there’s a reason why I point out the RED infrared grill. My face is on the point-of-sale!

Happy Grilling!

CLICK HERE to read more about infrared grills from Char-Broil.