Summer Grilling Ideas Other than Burgers and Hot Dogs

Want to cook more than burgers and dogs on your grill this summer? Here’s 5 dishes, including veggie and vegan options, to get the creativity flowing.

For most Americans summer goes hand-in-hand with grilling season. As soon as the weather starts to warm up our mouths start watering thinking about backyard BBQs or burgers and brats cooked on your apartment’s private patio. This summer, though, don’t be limited by just the standard grill fare. Branch out to see just what gourmet-inspired meals you can whip up on your gas or charcoal grill.

·        Pizza

o   Not just for brick ovens or delivery anymore, the high temperature a grill produces can be perfect for an impressive (but easy!) meal. You can even skip the step of making your own dough if you want, as most grocery stores or megamarts have pre-made pizza dough on hand. If you’re set on getting that pizzeria quality dough you may be able to buy a couple rounds from your favorite local pizza place. If you want to use a pizza stone make sure to preheat it with the grill for a more even doneness on the bottom, but a stone is not necessary, especially if you want the grill marks and almost-burnt crunch on the bottom that can only come from a grill. You can either heat the dough first, let it cook for about 4 or 5 minutes, then flip and add the toppings, or cook the fully loaded pizza all at once depending on your toppings and preferred level of doneness. While topping options are limitless, you can never go wrong with a Classic Margherita Pizza.

·        Tofu

o   Who said vegetarians can’t get in on the grilling game? While it’s arguably still best known as a fad diet trend of the 1980’s, don’t let its past keep you away from trying this misunderstood meat substitute. Tofu is low in calories, a great source of protein, contains all eight amino acids, and is an excellent source of iron and calcium. Surely something so good for you can’t taste good too, right? Wrong. While tofu may be bland on its own, the secret is that soaks up whatever delicious marinade you put it in. If you’re going to be grilling tofu you should get “firm” or “extra firm” instead of the softer or silken varieties, then marinade it for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 8 hours. The flavor profiles options are as limitless as your imagination; you can go savory, spicy, salty-sweet, or any combination you’d like. To make a meal of it you can pair Grilled Tofu with a Mediterranean Chopped Salad for a veggie-friendly summer dinner.

·        Quesadillas

o   As far as easy but delicious dishes go, you can’t go wrong with a quesadilla. From the crisp outer shell to the gooey melted cheese, even the most simple versions can be fantastic. Wow guests at your next summer party with quesadillas straight from the grill as an appetizer, or elevate your leftovers with some char and smoke for a quick weeknight meal. One of the best aspects of quesadillas is their versatility. You can go spicy, savory, vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Even the pickiest of eaters or those with food allergies can find fillings to suit them. You can go gluten-free with corn tortillas or vegan with a non-dairy cheese product. The trick to a good quesadilla, especially one cooked on a grill, is preparing your fillings ahead of time and working quickly. You can even grill the fillings if you want, like with the Grilled Steak Quesadillas.

·       Fruit

o   Don’t limit yourself to thinking that grilling is only for apps and main courses. If you pick the right fruit you can add a delicious smokiness to your desserts or add a sweetness to your sides. Understandably, firmer fruits like watermelon, pineapple, peaches, and apples fair better on a grill. You should also remember to cut your fruit into larger chunks, spears, or wedges so they’re easier to handle and less likely to fall through the grill grates. You can let the natural sugars of the fruit caramelize without adding anything else, or you can add even more flavor with a Spicy Maple Cumin Glaze.

·        Meatballs

o   If you think of meatballs as tiny round hamburgers it’s a no-brainer to try them out on a grill. Another dish with a versatile flavor profile, the sky’s the limit with what options you can pick. Virtually any meat and flavor combination can benefit from the subtle smoky taste of the grill and the crunchy, umami flavor of the open flame. You can go tropical with a Hawaiian style meatball with grilled pineapple relish, or more traditional with Italian-style with Pecorino and Parmesan. You can even change it up by choosing if you want the meatballs to be an appetizer, main dish, or pasta topper.

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Jun 27
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