This post including prizing is in partnership with Clarkson Potter. All thoughts and opinions are my own. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
It’s about to be grilling season…finally! I cannot wait for summer and all the backyard cookouts. And we’ll be throwing some new recipes into our mix thanks to this new cookbook from Chef Michael Symon, Playing With Fire. It’s packed with mouthwatering recipes and gorgeous photos of over 70 grilling and barbecue favorites. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, Playing With Fire released April 3, so it’s in stores now (ahem, Father’s Day gift idea!).
Read on to get more of a look at the cookbook, and I have a giveaway at the end!
Playing With Fire by Michael Symon
You probably recognize Michael Symon from TV. I know him best from the Food Network and I actually have another one of his cookbooks that I love. I just find his recipes really delicious but also doable.
Michael Symon cooks with soul, having grown up in a Greek and Sicilian family. The Cleveland native shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with viewers as an Iron Chef on Food Network and as a co-host on ABC’s The Chew. Michael is the chef and owner of more than 18 restaurants, including Lola and Mabel’s BBQ in downtown Cleveland, locals of B-Spot Burgers throughout the Midwest, and Angeline at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. He is also the author of five cookbooks, including Playing With Fire (Clarkson Potter, 2018). When he’s not working, Michael loves cooking at home, playing golf, gardening in the backyard and spending time with his wife Liz and their bulldog Ozzy.
Playing With Fire has SO many recipes in it that I want to try! Flipping through the pages, drooling over all of these photos, has me wishing summer would just show up already so we can fire up the grill!
Co-host of The Chew and celebrated Iron Chef and restaurateur Michael Symon returns to a favorite subject, meat, with his first cookbook focused on barbecue and live-fire grilling, with over 70 recipes inspired by his newest restaurant, Mabel’s BBQ, in his hometown of Cleveland. In preparing to open his barbecue restaurant, Mabel’s BBQ, Michael Symon enthusiastically sampled smoked meat from across America.
The 72 finger-licking, lip-smacking recipes here draw inspiration from his favorites, including dry ribs from Memphis, wet ribs from Nashville, brisket from Texas, pork steak from St. Louis, and burnt ends from Kansas City–to name just a few–as well as the unique and now signature Cleveland-style barbecue he developed to showcase the flavors of his hometown. Michael offers expert guidance on working with different styles of grills and smokers, choosing aromatic woods for smoking, cooking various cuts of meat, and successfully pairing proteins with rubs, sauces, and sides.
If you are looking for a new guide to classic American barbecue with the volume turned to high, look no further.

Reprinted from Michael Symon’s Playing With Fire. Copyright © 2018 by Michael Symon. Photographs copyright © 2018 by Ed Anderson. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
This is one of the recipes that’s at the top of my list to make. Doesn’t it look amazing?! We use the grill a ton when the weather is nice, and don’t get me wrong, my husband can cook like a pro! But I’m really excited to try a few new things this season and get inspired with this cookbook!
Learn More
Playing With Fire is in bookstores now, and you can order your copy online from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can read more about it here. Be sure to check out Michael Symon’s social media profiles for more mouthwatering recipes: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The Giveaway
The generous folks at Clarkson Potter are sponsoring this giveaway for See Mom Click readers!
One (1) winner receives:
- Copy of Michael Symon’s Playing With Fire
- plus a $50 Visa gift card to stock up on meats and veggies for grillin’ and smokin’!
This giveaway is open to US residents only, ages 18+, and will end at 11:59pm ET on April 16, 2018. Good luck!

Jennifer Rote says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is either a nice steak or a burger. Love grilling beef.
Mary W says
I like to cook lamb on the grill. We grill lamb roasts, lamb burgers and even lamb kebobs. Even the kids love it
Ellie Wright says
I love grilled shrimp and grilled summer squash.
Linda Kish says
I like a nice steak cooked on the grill.
Susan P. says
I like to cook steaks, burgers and salmon on the grill.
patricia caradonna says
I enjoy chicken and corn on the cob on the grill.
Heather says
I love to grill chicken and veggies! I also use the grill and a cast iron skillet to cook my bacon. I can’t wait until grill season is here!
JAMIE G says
Nothing better than BBQ. Always looking for new recipes. The book would be appreciated
Cheryl says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is steak.
Harold says
My favorite thing to grill is smoked sausage.
HS says
I love to grill wild salmon and vegetables.
Susan Christy says
Ribeye steaks are so good on the grill.
BIRDIE SKOLFIELD says
My fave thing to grill is a 4-5 lb Tri Tip marinated in Brown Sugar Bourbon marinade
Peter G says
Cheeseburgers for sure. The smell and the taste make grilling a joy.
Charlene S. says
Hamburgers are my favorite thing to cook on the grill.
Jennifer Williams says
I love cooking steak and corn on the cob!
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Shelley P says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is salmon.
Barbara Montag says
I enjoy making chicken kabobs on the grill.
Add a tossed green salad and you are good to go.
thank you
Rebecca Graham says
I like to grill chicken on the grill with jalapeno poppers.
Dena Campbell says
My favorite things to grill are skirt steaks and veggies. Char is everything!
Adrienne Gordon says
I like cooking steak best.
Crystal F says
Hamburgers and hot dogs are my favorite thing to grill. They have so much more flavor when cooked on the grill. Thank you!
Jessica To says
I like to grill hamburgers and baked potatoes on the grill.
Ann Fantom says
My favorite thing to grill is salmon
Kimmy Ripley says
Love grilled pineapple chicken!
Laurie Arnheim says
Anything cooked on the grill is my favorite! I’ve been dabbling with smoking meats, and close to perfecting a skill I didn’t even think was possible… sooooo yummy!!!
Jay Jackson says
I love to cook country ribs on the grill.
April says
My fave thing to grill is steaks!
Cynthia C says
I like to grill salmon or halibut along with vegetables.
kathy Persons says
We love to do pork chops
Lauren says
I like to grill ribs.
Ashley C says
I love grilled shrimp!
mami2jcn says
Steak is our favorite!
Margaret Smith says
Steak is my favorite to cook on a grill.
Anna87 says
Nothing better than BBQ, except steak.
Rosanne says
I like baby back ribs on the grill as long as they are cooked right
nickie says
I like grilling burgers
Jeanna says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is a nice strip steak!
Dana Rodriguez says
My fiance’ loves to grill and use the smoker year round so he would LOVE this book. My favorite thing he grills is steak and chicken kabobs w/veggies.
shelly peterson says
What I love to cook on the grill is a Maui steak.
Betsy Barnes says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is hamburgers and potatoes.
Brenda Stokes says
My favorite thing to grill is ribs and chicken
paige chandler says
I like to grill salmon and corn on the cob
Jeffrey says
My favorite food to cook on the grill is chicken. I also like roasting corn over an open flame!
Debbi Wellenstein says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is shrimp. It doesn’t take very long, and the result is delicious!
Chrystal D says
I like making Kebobs on the grill. I use chicken, peppers, some kind of fruit and onions. They’re GOOD!
KENNETH OHL says
I love to cooks steaks and corn on the cob
Lisa says
I usually do hot dogs on the grill.
jennifer cervantes says
We like to grill chicken and steak.
Tonya Mcminn says
My favorite thing to cook is BBQ spare ribs and corn on the cob on the grill.
Reyna R says
I love grilled corn!
Susan Smith says
I enjoy chicken, steaks hot dogs and corn on the cob on the grill.
Jeremy McLaughlin says
Favorite thing to cook on the grill is steak.
Kelly D says
I like to cook salmon on the grill.
Cheryl B says
We love to grill steaks and ribs.
Janice Cooper says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is turkey burgers
beth shepherd says
I love grilled steak! Thank you
Jean F says
Chicken Is my grill favorite.
Christina Sparks says
My husband BBQ Chicken.
Debbie Erickson says
Try-Tip marinated overnight in a teriyaki marinade is my favorite
tigercow59 says
hamburgers is what I like to eat off the grill
Amber says
I love grilling vegetables and bread drizzled with olive oil
Tina W says
My favorite is tri-tip, preferably with a side of beans and garlic bread.
Nicole Martin says
I love BBQ chicken on the grill!
CHar says
I love steak so much, thank you for the offer. You have a great blog!!
SHAYNA says
I LIKE TO COOK ROASTED POTATOES ON THE GRILL 🙂
Linda G. says
I like to cook a whole chicken on the grill, We use our grill a lot in the warmer months, grilling pork chops, hamburgers,chicken, brats you name it we grill it!!
David Basile says
sausage on the BBQ
kimberly burnett says
I love grilling mushroom burgers!
Stephanie Gossett says
We love grilling pizza! We have a pizza attachment and it is fantastic.
Wendy R. says
My husband is the bbq master… I love when he cooks salmon!!
heather says
Ribeye is my favorite thing to cook on the grill.
Naomi says
I love making brisket and pulled pork!
Robin M says
Burgers for my kids
Steve Weber says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is burgers.
Will G says
I like grilling burgers.
Azeem Isaahaque says
I love to grill steak
bill norris says
my fave is steak.
Rachel says
My favorite thing to grill is steak.
Carly S says
Hi! I like to cook corn on the cob or vegetable kebabs on the grill. 🙂
Dan Dykstra says
I like to cook and smoke whole chickens on our grill.
wen budro says
My favorite thing to cook on a grill is pork spareribs. Steak is a close second.
Antoinette M says
We like to grill chicken.
Tabathia B says
I love to cook porkchops onthe grill
pu ye says
I love grilled shrimp and grilled summer squash.
Emily Smith says
I love to grill steak and seasoned veggies.
DeAnna Keller says
I like to grill bbq chicken and brats.
Carol G says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is hamburgers.
Sheila Hickmon says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is always steak!
Michele Pineda says
We love a good flank steak aka carne asada on the grill!
Julie Bickham says
I like grilled bbq chicken and grilled veggies. I love when it’s grilling season.
Natalie says
I love to grill pizza, chicken and veggies! There are so many things that taste better on the grill.
Kris I. says
Chicken! I always cook chicken on the grill…probably too often!
Tiffany Tisdale says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is asparagus
Theresa Jenkins says
BBQ chicken or ribs is my FAV to grill
M. L. says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is vegetables!
Mary Cloud says
I love hamburgers cooked on the grill
Cathy B. says
I am crazy for grilled mushrooms!
Shannon says
I love grilled corn on the cob.
Lisa V. says
My favorite is steak.
Clarissa Hiciano says
I love grilling burgers and ribs
Randi says
Veggies— peppers,onions, etc
Alexandra Y says
I like to make shrimp kabobs with pineapple.
S. Carter says
I love to grill fresh fish! It is perfect.
Molli Taylor says
my favorite is marinated portabello mushrooms, they set the stage for everything else on the gril!
Holly Thomas says
Ribeyes are my favorite to cook on the grill.
Janet W. says
My favorite to cook on the grill is filet mignon, asparagus, and corn on the cob.
Christopher Mason says
I like to smoke a small pork butt, so Pulled Pork.
Kate V says
Steak and burgers all the way are our favorite or most grilled foods.
Arielle says
I love making chicken sausage on the grill.
Debbie P says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill are chicken breasts.
Kyl Neusch says
love to grill chicken and veggies
Becca says
I actually love grilled corn on the cob. It just tastes better!
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Edye says
I like making fresh veggies! 🙂
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Denise B. says
I like cooking cheeseburgers, london broil, and barbecue chicken on the grill.
Starla says
Ooooh, this book seems so good! I love Michael Symon! I would have to say, my favorite thing to grill is definitely New York Strip! Although, I love so much on the grill!
Fredrick Pauly says
Steak is my favorite thing to cook on the grill.
Nicole C says
My favorite thing to grill is hamburgers,
Brad says
My favorite thing to grill is Chicken
Debra Francis says
My favorite thing to grill is chicken.
susan smoaks says
i love to grill chicken and veggies
Anne Higgins says
I enjoy grilled steaks, chicken, burgers and vegis – it is all good!
Kristen says
I love pork ribs on the grill.
Erin F. says
I love a good burger off the grill. Asparagus or mushrooms are really good, too.
Terra Heck says
My favorite is grilled asparagus wraped in bacon and drizzled with parmesan cheese. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
James Robert says
Chicken is my favorite to cook o the grill and all of us love it that way.
Darlene Carbajal says
I am not the grill master, my boyfriend is, lol. I love to watch him grill steak and sausages!
Rebecca W says
We love to grill out in the summer and not heat up the kitchen! Our absolute favorite food is grilled chicken with barbeque sauce and homemade potato salad! I love the summer!
Amy L says
I like to grill salmon, basted with maple syrup & Dijon mustard
melanie huttner says
I LOVE sausages on the grill!!!
Angelica Dimeo says
I love to cook steak on the grill
Kim Henrichs says
I love to grill shrimp all summer! Also, peaches!
Erin M says
I love grilling steak and corn on the cob.
Clem says
I love grilled marinated chicken
Jennifer Figueroa says
We love to grill steaks and ribs, and we use our attached smoker
STEPHANIE D SULLIVAN says
I love cooking kabobs on the grill.
Erin Gramling says
My favorite thing to grill is BBQ pork Ribs!
jodi Hassel says
Love cooking Grilled chicken!!
Del says
We like grilling salmon
Terri Betz says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is hot dogs!
Shirley Emitt says
I like to cook veggies and chicken on the grill.
Paula Hafner says
Our favorite thing is homemade pizzas. It taste like they were made in a brick oven!
aaron reck says
I like to grill bbq chicken breasts with my corn on the cobb. That is very good to me. Thanks so much.
Dan H says
Love to grill lots of steak and hamburgers
Janine Hwang says
My favorite thing to grill is corn!
Elena says
I like to make grilled chicken
Michelle C says
I love making grilled chicken!
Jennifer H. says
I like to grill chicken and pineapple.
Mark Marville says
Lobster is awesome on the grill!
Karen D says
I love cooking pizza on the grill and topping it with grilled vegetables.
Danielle says
My husband does the best steaks I have ever tasted
Amity J says
Our favorites to grill are burgers, chicken and hot dogs..meat fest 🙂
Kristi C says
I love steak, red peppers, green peppers, and squash.
barbg says
A big juicy ribeye steak would be first with my favorite hamburger being 2nd I suppose. Love grilled food.
Jillian Too says
I love cooking veggies on the grill, especially corn on the cob.
Robin says
I like to grill baby back ribs.
Daniel M says
always like burgers
LAMusing says
Hamburgers and grilled corn 🙂
Jenn Reed says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is pork chops.
sylvia says
Although we’ve done everything from hot dogs, to steak, to chicken, to pizza, I think I most enjoy bbq chicken on the grill.
Melissa Storms says
I love good beef kabobs with onion and pepper on the grill, grilled tomato on the side with rice and A1. I always want the same thing every time we pull the grill out for the first time each year.
sarah k says
Two of my favorite things to grill is chicken and corn.
Sarah L says
I like to BBQ chicken.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah Cool says
I love grilling lamb kabobs
Adriana says
my favorite thing to grill is chicken.
EMMA L HORTON says
MY FAVORITE THINGS TO COOK AND EAT ON THE GRILL ARE HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS.
Ed says
I heart the skirt steak!
allison says
I really love to do chicken on the grill. Thanks so much for the chances to win.
kathy pease says
I love to cook shrimp on the grill
April Thompson says
Love cooking steaks and ribs
Leela says
Steak and bacon burgers.
Brandon Sparks says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is steak. It’s so good. I look forward to every spring when I can pull out the grill.
sherry fowler says
love to grill chicken and pineapple
Lisa Brown says
I like to cook zucchini and bell peppers
amber says
I love to grill steaks!
Christal M says
We love to grill burgers
Hesper Fry says
I like to cook hamburgers on the grill.
Christy Peeples DuBois says
I would have to say my favorite thing to cook on the grill is grilled vegetables and/or filets. They are so good.
Deb Ford says
The whole family loves stuffed burgers from the grill!
Debbie B says
my favorite thing to cook on the grill is steak
Jennifer G. says
I love a big juicy steak on the grill!
Ashley says
I love grilling chicken and porkchops!
Seyma Shabbir says
I love grilling skirt steaks, veggies and shrimp.
Mia J says
I like to grill a nice tri tip and some corn on the cob on my grill.
Angie Ford says
My favorite thing to grill is kabobs!
Jennifer Lang says
BBQ chicken and corn on the cob!
Shakeia Rieux says
My favorite thing is steak
Kayla Klontz says
My favorite thing to coook on the grill is a pork loin, they’re delicious!
Anita Duvall says
We love to grill a variety of sausages for the whole family to enjoy.
Kristina Nguyen says
Steaks and kabob!
Kerry P says
My favorite thing to have cooked for me on the grill is probably cheeseburgers. Sometimes barbeque chicken too. I wish I could say it was vegetables!
Tracey byram says
A medium rare ribeye steak. It’s certainly my favorite thing to EAT!
Julie Waldron says
I like barbecue chicken on the grill.
Danalee says
I like a good burger or steak from the grill.
Sarah Mayer says
I love cooking shrimp as well as vegetables on the grill.
Tracy Shafer says
We love steak and seafood.
Kathleen Hand says
Honestly, I love cooking anything on the grill and my favorite will depend on the day and what I am in the mood for. I guess my absolute favorite would be ribs
Jacquelyn O'Neil says
T-Bone Steaks are my favorite thing to cook on the grill, but, I love all grilled foods!
julie l. says
korean beef satay on skewers. SOOO GOOD
Rita Leonard says
we love hamburgers on the grill
Leah Shumack says
I love to do marinated steaks on the grill!
Breanne says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is chicken.
Calen Treat says
I love seafood on the grill!
Norma says
BBQ chicken on the grill is the best!
Michelle H. says
Carne asada is so easy and delicious.
Philip Lawrence says
My favorite thing to cook on a grill is steak.
cindy mahoney says
Scallops with bacon wrapped around them…
Jessica Whitehouse says
I like brats and burgers. We also grill steaks and veggies.
Austin H. says
Steak and vegetable kabobs are my favorite thing on the grill. This book looks great.
DanV says
I like to cook asparagus and potatoes on the grill
AEKZ2 says
Chicken and corn on the cob
Julia Baxter says
I like steak from the grill.
Amy Orvin says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is steak.
Trisha McKee says
I am a girl with simple tastes. I love grilling a burger with grilled onions and melted cheese.
Julieh says
My favorite thing to cook on the grill is salmon and lobster tail.
Janice B says
I love to cook steaks on the grill. I also like a really good burger.
thischickwins says
i like to grill salmon and veggies
BRIAN E. says
We love to grill beef, chicken, and vegetables for fajitas !!!
Carolyn D says
I like steaks and burgers on the grill.
Sue C. says
Love to cook steak and burgers on the grill.