Steven Raichlen's Project Fire

The Pac-Rim Grill

The Pacific Rim extends from California and the Pacific Northwest to Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia, where exotic herbs and spices, chiles, and umami-rich fish and soy sauce make for larger-than-life flavor. Look for big flavor grilled meats paired with a high proportion of vegetables-barbecue as health food. Steven begins with Vietnamese-inspired Jidori chicken skewered on fragrant lemongrass. From Thailand come sweet, smoky, garlicky baby back ribs, the ultimate street food. Next is your new favorite salad of summer, featuring pungent Asian herbs and fire-roasted shrimp and pineapple. Steven visits Los Angeles' Koreatown district, for grilled beef short ribs at Parks BBQ with Jenee Kim. Koreatown short ribs and banchan side dishes; Thai sweet chili ribs; Shrimp and pineapple salad with Vietnamese flavors; Lemongrass chicken bites.