A recent trip to Wal-mart changed my life forever, and it can do the same for you.

On this seemingly ordinary day, the monolithic empire of Wal-mart had a deal that I could simply not pass up. I had been looking to own a grill for some time, and when I saw a charcoal grill on sale for only $9.99 cents, I felt as though I’d died and gone to heaven.

I immediately purchased the grill and learned the do’s and don’ts of grilling the hard way. I learned the it is never wise to try cooking a new food in the dark, and that the best way to prepare a hamburger, or deer burger for avid hunters, on a grill is throw some aluminum foil across the grill.

Grilling can have tremendous benefits if you are willing to put in the time. It’s healthier than frying food, cheaper than restaurants and of course, after a long day of grilling, you will be covered in the aroma of cooked meat and charcoal smoke. Sexy.

A personal favorite of mine is grilled catfish. The recipe is quite simple. Simply take a fillet of catfish and season it with lemon pepper. Some prefer just a dash, while others prefer a heavy coating. It’s also helpful to rinse the fillet in water prior to this step, because the water helps cook the fish and maintain flavor.

Put the seasoned fillet on a sheet of aluminum foil and wrap it up completely with the foil.

Once the grill has been preheated about 15 minutes, put the fillet on the upper rack of the grill, turning the fillet over every 10 minutes or so until the catfish is flaky and tender. It usually takes about 40 minutes for my grill, but different grills require different cooking times.

If you have any grilling recipes you’d like to share, or a story about grilling, please send them to the email address listed below and we will share them in the next Argo.