Jeff Mauro uses George Foreman Smokeless Grill to cook a perfect ribeye

Jeff Mauro might be the Sandwich King but he is a master of the grill. With the George Foreman Smokeless Grill, he shows even the novice can be an expert with a few tips.

Celebrity chefs, like Jeff Mauro, make grilling look simple. Still, the home cook, with a few tips and tricks, learn to be a grilling master, too. With some help from the George Foreman Smokeless Grill, even the newbie griller can fire up an impressive dinner.

For years, George Foreman Grills have been a staple in people’s homes. While this indoor grill has evolved over the years, one key premise remains, grilling made easy.

Some cooks, especially those intimidated by a charcoal or gas grill, look at grilling recipes and simply avoid them. The idea of lighting the flame, the work to stoke the fire and the potential for disaster is too much to handle.

What those cooks miss is the flavor that a good char can offer. That seared crust from a grill adds another layer of flavor that pushes a dish to the next level. It is almost like an additional layer of umami.

With a George Foreman Grill, the novice griller can gain some confidence in her grilling technique. Since the indoor grill is simple and easy to use, it is less intimidating than that outdoor grill. More importantly, the kitchen appliance can offer the same great grilling taste that cooks expect.

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The newest George Foreman Grill is smokeless.  While smoke aroma might be nice for outdoor grilling, no one wants a smoked filled kitchen. This newest George Foreman offering produces “up to 80% less smoke.” The open grate design and drip tray keeps the grease away, which reduces the smoke production.

Recently, Jeff Mauro partnered with George Foreman to showcase how the smokeless George Foreman Grill is a must for the grilling novice, the grill master and everyone in between. As part of this partnership, Mauro graciously spoke to FoodSided about some tips and tricks for grilling with this small appliance.

For Mauro, one of the reasons why he likes this indoor grill is the convenience factor. While he might be a grill master, there are times when that outdoor grill or smoker isn’t the easy choice. When he wants to get that grilling flavor, all he has to do is pull out his George Foreman Grill.

Even with all the convenience, the grill gets a great amount of flavor. When the grill is put on higher heat, Mauro said that the sear is amazing. That perfect sear is one of the reasons why people love grilled food. That char is big flavor.

Mauro shared that one of the keys to getting a great char is to not move the food on the grill. Letting the high heat of the grill grates do its job is essential. Even though the cook might want to flip, smoosh and move around that food, it be best to just let it cook. Sometimes doing nothing is the best option.

Still, even though people want that char, this grill works in such a way to reduce flare-ups, which cause smoke. Mauro shared that the grill grates allow the fat to drain down, which reduces flare-ups and creates less smoke. After all, no one wants to set off that smoke detector or have the fire department called during dinner.

With the ease and convenience of this indoor grill, the novice grill can look and feel like an expert. From the robust flavors to the visually appealing grill marks, this George Foreman Grill could replace your stove for making weeknight dinners.

Jeff Mauro’s Black Powder Charred Ribeye using the George Foreman Smokeless Grill, photo provided by Black+Decker

Since this small appliance has such versatility, Mauro shared several recipes that he created using the George Foreman Smokeless Grill. This recipe for Black Powder-Charred Ribeyes with Horseradish Butter and Crispy Onions will definitely impress.

Here’s how to make it.

"Black Powder-Charred Ribeyes with Horseradish Butter and Crispy OnionsIngredients:2 sticks unsalted butter – very soft and room temperature3 Tbsp. prepared horseradish 1 Tbsp. stone ground mustard1 Tbsp. honey1 zest from lemon1 Tbsp. minced fresh chives2 12-oz. thick cut ribeyes, about 1.5 – 2 inch thick1 container of store-bought crispy French fried onionsChopped fresh parsleyFor the Black Powder Rub¼ cup black sesame seeds1 Tbsp. poppy seeds2 Tbsp. black peppercorns1 tsp. brown mustard seeds¼ cup kosher salt2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar 1tsp. dehydrated onion1 tsp. granulated garlicDirections1. In a bowl, mix together butter, horseradish, mustard, honey, lemon zest and chives until uniform. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Using a spatula, scrape out onto plastic wrap, form into a log and refrigerate until firm.2. To make the rub, in a dry pan, toast all sesame seeds, poppy seeds, peppercorns and mustard seeds for about 3-4 minutes or until fragrant (shake the pan frequently to prevent burning). Place in small food processor along with the salt, brown sugar, onion and granulated garlic, blender or spice grinder and pulse until finely ground.3. Preheat George Foreman® Smokeless Grill to MEDIUM HIGH.4. Brush steaks with vegetable oil and coat in a good amount of the black powder rub. Place on grill and do not move for 5 minutes, turn 90 degrees to form a grill mark “Cross hatch” and cook for another 5 minutes. Flip and repeat until desired temperature is reached. For medium cook to an internal temperature of 140°F, for medium rare, 130°F-135°F.5. Let rest for 5 minutes. Using a sharp knife, slice about ½ inch thick. Shingle on a plate and top with a couple ½ inch disks of the horseradish butter. Top with crispy onions and fresh parsley.Makes 4-6 servings"

First, that Black-Powder rub is a recipe to remember. The flavors are bold but not overpowering. There is a hint of umami that will have you going back bite after bite. It is a perfect complement to a rich ribeye.

Second, Mauro reiterates how important it is to not move the ribeye while cooking. That moment of just cooking helps to seal in all the delicious flavors from the steak. With the higher heat, the perfect char and grill marks are guaranteed.

Anyone can be more comfortable with grilling recipes. The key is to find the right tools to make the cooking approachable. After that happens, grilling confidence grows.

The George Foreman Open Grate Smokeless Grill can be purchased at various retailers. There is both a family size and a party size option available.

Jeff Mauro is an Emmy-nominated celebrity chef, co-host of the Food Network’s The Kitchen, and host of Sandwich King. He is also partner and executive chef of Pork & Mindy’s restaurants.

Are you ready to get grilling? Thanks to Jeff Mauro and George Foreman Smokeless Grill anyone can become a grill master.