Natural Gas Barbecuing with Chef Rob Rainford

Just because summer is officially over doesn’t mean that the joys of barbecuing have to end, especially when you’ve got natural gas as your fuel source. ONGA is pleased to partner with celebrity chef Rob Rainford, to bring barbecue enthusiasts a raft of fall-inspired recipes that showcase the best of seasonal ingredients available in Ontario. Whether it’s a new take on grilling your salad, or spicing your New York striploin with a coffee-based rub, Chef Rainford’s recipes will have you grilling well into the fall–and even year round. Barbecuing with natural gas allows for the precise temperature control required of many recipes, and its reliability and affordability make it a gold standard fuel source for barbecue enthusiasts everywhere. See below for Chef’s mouth-watering recipes, and forget about packing away that grill cover!

Grilled Lemon and Orange Zest Chicken

Ingredients:

1. 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) olive oil
2. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely grated lemon zest
3. 4 Tbsp (60 mL) fresh lemon juice
4. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely grated orange zest
5. 4 Tbsp (60 mL) fresh orange juice
6. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped fresh rosemary
7. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped fresh thyme
8. 4 cloves garlic, finely grated
9. 2 chickens, each about 4lbs (1.8kg), cut in half through the breast and backbone
10. Kosher salt
11. Freshly ground black pepper to taste
12. 2 Tbsp (30ml) finely chopped parsley
13. ½ tsp (2ml) dried red chili flakes

The Rainford Method:

1. Whisk together the oil, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, rosemary and thyme until well combined. Reserve half of the mixture for the following day.
2. Place remaining citrus mixture, chicken and garlic in a very large resealable plastic bag. Give it a good massage through the bag and marinate in the fridge overnight.
3. Preheat your natural gas grill for cooking over indirect heat. You need a medium-high temperature of around 350°F (180°C) to grill the chicken.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding the used marinade. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Sear the chicken halves by placing them skin-side down on the hot side of the grill. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn each half through a quarter turn (from the 12 o’clock position to 3 o’clock). Cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.
6. Flip each half over and move to the cooler side of the grill. Cook for 40 to 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F (76°C) and the juices run clear. Baste the chicken during the last 5 minutes of cooking with the reserved citrus mixture.
7. Remove the chicken halves from the grill and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving.

Makes 8 servings

New York Strip Steak

Rub Ingredients:

1. 4 Tbsp (60 mL) extra finely ground Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
2. 4 Tbsp (60 mL) packed brown sugar
3. 1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) ground allspice
4. Kosher salt
5. Freshly ground black pepper

The Rainford Method:

1. Combine the coffee, brown sugar, allspice and salt and pepper to taste. Pat the rub on both sides of each steak.
2. Prep the grill for cooking over indirect heat.
You need a medium-high temperature of around 350°F (180°C) to grill the steaks. For natural gas grills, preheat the grill to medium-high then turn off one burner to achieve indirect heat.
3. Grease the grate with canola oil. Place the steaks on the grill over direct heat.
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until well marked. Move the steaks to the cooler part of the grill and close the lid. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes for medium-rare, or to desired doneness.
4. Remove the steaks from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Beef and Veal Kofta

Ingredients:

1. 3⁄4 lb (375 g) ground beef
2. 1⁄4 lb (125 g) ground veal
3. 1 large onion, finely grated
4. 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley 1 egg
5. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
6. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) ground allspice
7. 1 1⁄2 tsp (7.5 mL) kosher salt
8. 2 tsp (10 mL) freshly cracked black pepper Canola oil for greasing

The Rainford Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Place mixture in a non-reactive bowl and refrigerate for 24 hours.
3. Take the mixture out of the bag and form into eight even-size portions, shaped like mini footballs (as in American football, not soccer). Run a skewer widthwise through each kofta.

4. Preheat your natural gas grill to medium-high. Oil the grate with canola oil.
5. Place the koftas on the hot grill. Make sure to sear them well before you try to turn them, and turn carefully or they will break apart.

6. Grill the koftas until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 150 to 160°F (65 to 71°C).

7. Remove from skewers and serve in pita bread.

Makes 8 servings

Grilled Romaine Salad

Ingredients:

1. 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) olive oil
2. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) balsamic vinegar
3. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
4. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) Fresh lemon juice
5. 4 anchovy fillets, coarsely chopped
6. 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
7. Dash of hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
8. Dash of Worcestershire sauce
9. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
10. 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
11. 2 firm avocados, halved and pitted, skin left
12. 2 cups (500ml) cherry tomatoes
13. 2oz (60g) wedge fresh parmesan, shaved
14. 1 Tbsp (15ml) thinly sliced fresh basil

The Rainford Method:

1. Combine the oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, anchovies, garlic, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste in a blender. Purée until smooth.
2. Preheat your natural gas grill. You need a medium-high grilling temp of around 350°F (180°C). Prep the grill for cooking over direct heat.
3. Drizzle a small amount of the vinaigrette over the romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Place the lettuce on the grill, cut sides down. Grill for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until lightly charred. Remove from the grill, and place on a serving platter.
4. Toss the avocados and tomatoes with a small amount of the remaining vinaigrette in the same bowl. Place on the grill, arranging the avocados skin-side up. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until warm and slightly softened.
5. Remove from the grill. Scatter the tomatoes over the lettuce. Scoop the avocado flesh out of the skin. Slice the avocado flesh and scatter over the lettuce.
6. Top the salad with Parmesan shavings. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and sprinkle with basil. 


Makes 8 servings

Grilled Veal Chops

Ingredients:

1. 8 veal chops, each about 12oz (375 g) and 1 1⁄2 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) thick
2. Canola oil for greasing
3. 2 handfuls wood chips, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
4. 1 handful dry wood chips (2-parts wet 1-part dry)

Ingredients for Wet Rub

5. 1 cup (250 mL) fresh sage leaves
6. 1⁄2 lemon, juiced
7. 1⁄2 lime, juiced
8. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) Terrazas Malbec or any full bodied red
9. 5 cloves garlic
10. 1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) kosher salt
11. 3⁄4 cup (185 mL) Ravenswood Zinfandel
12. 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) veal stock
13. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil

The Rainford Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients for the wet rub in a food processor and process until a paste forms. Rub the paste all over the veal chops.
2. Two to 4 hours before you get to the grill, do yourself a favor and put the veal in a re-sealable plastic bag and let it hang out in the fridge. Remember because the acid component is low you don’t have to worry about your meat becoming tough because of the marinade.
3. Pull the veal chops out of the fridge and them bring to room temperature before grilling. This is an important step because you want the internal temperature of the meat to be at the temperature of the outside of the meat to ensure even cooking.
4. If you want to apply a mop to the veal chops while they smoke, stir together the red wine, stock and olive oil in a small bowl.
5. You need a low temperature of around 200 to 220°F (93 to 105°C) to smoke the veal chops. For natural gas grills, preheat the grill to low then turn off one burner to achieve indirect heat. Oil the grate with canola oil.
6. Once the grill is heated, make a smoke pouch by placing two parts wet and one part dry wood chips in a foil pouch. Put pouch directly on the heated side of the natural gas grill or into the smoker box that comes with most grills these days. Allow to smoke and then place veal on the cooler side of the grill.
7. The veal chops will take 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours to smoke. If you’re using the mop, brush it on the veal chops every 30 minutes during smoking, using a fresh sprig of sage each time. Remember, you don’t have to cook the veal chops until they’re well done; medium-rare (an internal temperature of 135°F/57°C) is fine.

8. As soon as the chops have reached the internal temperature you like, take them off the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings

Grilled Asaparagus

Ingredients:

1. 2 lb (1 kg) asparagus
2. 1 Tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
3. Kosher salt
4. Freshly ground black pepper
5. 6 Tbsp (90 mL) unsalted butter
6. 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) vegetable broth
7. 3 Tbsp (45 mL) finely chopped fresh sage
8. 1 wedge Parmesan cheese

The Rainford Method:

1. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus and discard. Run a vegetable peeler down the asparagus stalks to remove the skin. Toss the asparagus with the oil and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Preheat your natural gas grill. You need a medium-high grilling temp of around 350°F (180°C). Prep the grill for cooking over direct heat.
3. Place the asparagus on the grill and cook, turning often, for 5 minutes or until tender and well-marked.
4. Set a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the white foam has evenly browned. Add the vegetable broth and sage, then simmer until the mixture has reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Arrange the grilled asparagus on a platter and pour the butter sauce over the top. Shave a generous amount of Parmesan from the wedge and scatter over the asparagus.

Makes 8 servings

Grilled Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

1. 2 lb (1 kg) Yukon gold potatoes, washed and cut into wedges Kosher salt to taste
2. 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) olive oil
3. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) white wine
4. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) paprika
5. 2 Tbsp (30 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley
6. 4 cloves garlic, finely grated
7. 1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil leaves
8. 3⁄4 tsp (4 mL) dried oregano leaves
9. Freshly ground black pepper to taste
10. Canola oil for greasing

The Rainford Method:

1. Place the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water and add salt to taste. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes or until al dente. Drain well and arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Let cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, whisk the olive oil with the wine, paprika, parsley, garlic, basil and oregano in a large bowl until well combined. Add the potatoes and toss with the oil mixture, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Preheat your natural gas grill. You need a medium-low grilling temp of around 300°F (150°C). Prep the grill for cooking over direct heat. Oil the grate with canola oil.
4. Place the potatoes on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until well-marked and fork tender.

Makes 8 servings

Late Harvest Green Bean Salad

Ingredients:

1. 3⁄4 lb (375 g) green beans, trimmed
2. 3⁄4 lb (375 g) yellow beans, trimmed
3. Kosher salt to taste
4. 3 Tbsp (45 mL) olive oil
5. 2 tsp (10 mL) balsamic vinegar
6. 2 tsp (10 mL) red wine vinegar
7. 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
8. Freshly ground black pepper to taste
9. 2 large bunches of salad greens, such as frisée, washed and dried
10. 6 green onions, thinly sliced
11. 3 Tbsp (45 mL) finely chopped fresh oregano

The Rainford Method:

1. Place the beans in a large pot of well-salted, boiling water for 3–4 minutes or until tender-crisp. Reserve 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) of the blanching water, then drain the beans and immediately plunge them into ice water.
2. Whisk together the reserved blanching water, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, mustard, and pepper to taste until well combined.
3. Arrange the salad greens on a large platter. Place the cooked beans on top. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with green onions and oregano. Serve within 1 hour of dressing.

Makes 8 servings

Unprecedented proposal to remove natural gas heating in Ontario would pose devastating consequences for Ontario residents and businesses

A statement by the Ontario Natural Gas Alliance

The report of the Government of Ontario’s proposal to spend $1.32 Billion to switch homes heated by natural gas to electric heating is ill-conceived and prohibitively expensive.

The Ontario Natural Gas Alliance (ONGA) is a partner in Ontario’s low carbon future that combats climate change. The industry has made collaborative and cost-effective proposals to meet Ontario’s emission reduction targets including increased conservation spending, moving to more renewable natural gas, and using natural gas in medium- and heavy-duty trucking. However, using Cap and Trade proceeds to switch Ontarians to electric heat would be disruptive and will not allow us to achieve our emission reduction goals.

Ontarians should continue to have choice, and not be forced to adapt a single electric solution for home heating—one that will entail expensive equipment costs upfront and is six times more expensive to operate than natural gas.

Bottom line: Ontario households will pay up to $3,000 more each and every year to heat their homes if this policy proceeds.

Jamie Ellerton
Spokesperson, Ontario Natural Gas Alliance

How is Markham fuelling economic growth & combating climate change?

By Jamie Ellerton

We hear a lot in the news about the need to create jobs and fight climate change. Although the problem is well identified, you may be left wondering what is happening across the province that provides solutions. Let me introduce you to Markham District Energy (MDE).

MDE relies on clean natural gas to provide heating, cooling, and electricity in Markham with unrivalled reliability. This provides a competitive advantage to the community, fosters new business opportunities, and at the same time reduces emissions to combat climate change. The City of Markham in part credits the founding of Markham District Energy with bringing major employers like IBM to the community. Additionally, the recent growth of Downtown Markham, a new, residential and commercial development in the heart of the city, was enabled in part because of existing natural gas and district energy infrastructure.

Check out this short video to learn how they do it:

How does it work?

MDE delivers their services via an interconnected and comprehensive underground system. You can read more about it here.

This advanced network means incredible reliability for Markham District Energy customers. Even during the worst storms and inclement weather customers have the peace of mind to focus on what they do best — whether it is providing a strong education, best-in-class hospitality, or leading healthcare services.

The Benefit

Markham District Energy customers and the broader community benefit in two key ways: Natural gas prices are competitive and stable due to an existing strong supply and existing distribution infrastructure and using a district energy system reduces overall emissions. In 2015 alone, MDE reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Markham by 17,000 tonnes — the equivalent of taking nearly 4,000 cars off the road.  As more in the community recognize district energy’s potential the impact can be even greater.

The Opportunity

It is great to see local leaders like Mayor Scarpitti and Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Jo-anne Marr champion the important role that natural gas is playing in their community.

Richard Cunningham at the Markham Board of Trade believes the community should look to expand MDE to encourage business growth.  ONGA agrees and we are proud to be a part of the solution.

Watch the video and let us know what you think on Twitter at @NaturalGas_ON or you can reach me @jellerton.

Jamie Ellerton appointed ONGA spokesperson

Natural gas is one of the most versatile, reliable, clean and affordable sources of energy available in Ontario. For this reason and more, I’m proud to join the team at the Ontario Natural Gas Alliance (ONGA) as spokesperson.

Challenges that are top of mind to ONGA members are expanding access to natural gas access to reduce energy bills overall, and ensure the continued success of Ontario’s agriculture sector. And of course, helping confront the challenge of climate change.

Ontario has millions of existing natural gas distribution customers, ranging from home owners to electricity generation facilities, small businesses, public transportation systems, farms and agri-businesses, a variety of industrial consumers and legions of backyard barbeque enthusiasts. What each of these segments have in common is that they enjoy access to a reliable supply of clean and affordable natural gas. Unfortunately, not all Ontarians enjoy access to natural gas, and this puts some people at a competitive and economic disadvantage.

I am pleased to join an organization like ONGA that treats the expansion of natural gas distribution service in Ontario for what it is – an important public policy measure. It can increase economic growth, foster agricultural competiveness and reduce energy bills in the winter months, especially when compared to electricity for home-heating. In fact, ONGA has done great work highlighting the benefits of natural gas expansion in Red Lake, Ontario and the need for access for agri-business in Bruce County. As spokesperson for ONGA, I want to keep highlighting the need for increased access to natural gas distribution – it is too important for our economy to ignore.

For much of the past year, climate change has been front and centre in the news. The government of Ontario has introduced legislation that would, if passed, create a cap-and-trade system and join Ontario with the Western Climate Initiative.

Everyone at ONGA can agree on one thing: we are long passed the time to debate the merits of taking action to confront climate change and that now is the time to tackle the problem head-on. Having the resolve to confront climate change is one thing, but the approach must be constructive and done in a meaningful way that recognizes Ontario is already a leader in this fight.

The closure of coal-fired power plants dramatically reduced emissions in Ontario –the largest climate change mitigation measure in North America to date. Just as natural gas played a major role reducing emission from electricity generation, natural gas is similarly positioned to reduce overall emissions in the transportation sector.

The transportation sector is by far the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the province today. The opportunity of shifting more of the sector to natural gas would be of tremendous benefit to Ontario’s environment and economy, something decision-makers should examine and an issue I look forward to sharing more about.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to speaking about the role that natural gas can play for Ontarians, for the benefit of our climate and our economy.

I also want to hear what you have to say. You can reach out to ONGA through this website, on Twitter (@NaturalGas_ON) or you can reach me directly here: @jellerton.

Jamie Ellerton

ONGA Members and Government of Ontario Partner to Combat Climate Change

Working together, anything is possible, including addressing one of the great challenges of our time: climate change. The Green Investment Fund is the latest example of partnership between Ontario Natural Gas Alliance members and the Ontario government. This recently announced fund is part of the Ontario government’s Climate Change Strategy and will see $100 million invested to create jobs and help homeowners save energy, reducing monthly energy bills.

The government estimates the fund will help about 37,000 homeowners conduct energy efficiency audits and then complete retrofits, such as replacing old furnaces and water heaters or upgrading windows and insulation. Homeowners know that making these changes can have a real positive impact on their bottom lines, and it’s a great investment that can pay dividends down the road. In the past, for every dollar invested in natural gas efficiency, savings of $1.50 to $4.00 have been realized for natural gas consumers.

In many ways, the launch of the Green Investment Fund represents a vote of confidence from the government of Ontario for something that companies such as Enbridge Gas Distribution and Union Gas have been doing for decades: working with customers of all scopes and sizes to reduce monthly bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2005 and 2013, natural gas conservation programs resulted in 47 million tonnes of lifetime greenhouse gas reductions, while the price of natural gas remained competitive.

Clean, reliable and affordable natural gas is an ally in the fight against climate and with the announcement of the Green Investment Fund; it shows the government of Ontario recognizes this important fact. As Glen Murray, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change said with the release of the program: “Improving energy efficiency in the home is one of the most important actions we can take in the fight against climate change.”