Summer is here, and the grilling season is in full force. Branch away from the usual grilling suspects, and try some of these options:
1. Bananas: Take your summer s’mores to the next level (and even add a little nutrition) with these grilled banana boat s’mores.
2. Romaine lettuce: Slice a head of romaine lettuce in half and lightly brush each side with olive oil. Grill for about 5 minutes and flip the lettuce often to ensure no burning.
3. Peaches: Great for snacking, even better grilled for dessert. Get your sweet fix with these grilled peaches with cinnamon sugar butter. Your taste buds will thank you.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Mike McCune
4. Pound Cake: Or expand the grilling horizons and add some grilled pound cake to your grilled peaches. Slice a pound cake into half-inch slices and grill for about three minutes on each side.
5. Avocados: Just when you thought avocados couldn’t get any better, they can be grilled, too. Take an avocado half, season with salt and pepper, brush with olive oil, and grill flesh side down for about two minutes. Once grilled, add fresh pico de gallo and enjoy.
6. Edamame: Steaming is ordinary; grilling is exciting. Try this grilled edamame recipe.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Jo.
7. Grapefruit: Nothing brings out this citrus’s flavor better than a grill. Slice a grapefruit in half, rub some sweetener and spices on the flesh, and grill each side for about two minutes.
8. Lemons/limes: Squeeze some grilled lemon and lime over meats and pasta salads, or really anything. Slice in half and grill each side for about two minutes.
9. Corn: Summer means corn on the cob, and what better way to add some flavor than with a little grilling action? Try out one of these five suggestions for your grilled corn.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Emilian Robert Vicol
10. Watermelon: Try the true summer fruit on the grill. Lightly brush one-inch thick slices with olive oil, and grill each side for two minutes. Toss with balsamic vinegar and feta cheese. Yum.
Photo courtesy of flickr user Quinn Dobrowski
11. Pineapple: Rub pineapple rings with brown sugar and lime juice. Grill each side for about two minutes. Enjoy with ice cream (and other grilled fruits—think strawberries, nectarines, plums) for a delicious summer treat.
12. Bell peppers: Make your own roasted bell peppers by roasting them on the grill. Put bell peppers on the grill for 15-20 minutes, turning every two minutes to ensure even heating. Let the peppers cool, then peel off the skin. Add to pasta salads or sandwiches.
13. Eggs: Who says you can’t grill for breakfast? Crack eggs into a muffin pan, add veggies and cheese, leave the muffin pan on the grill until the egg cups are cooked through.
14. Burger toppings and buns: Burgers are basic, but amp up your burgers with grilled toppings. Try grilling slices of onions and tomatoes for about a minute on each side, and warm hamburger and hot dog buns on the grill for a little crispy crunch.
15. Sandwiches: Grilled cheese on the grill? Makes sense. Try this recipe, or really any sandwich on the grill and add some flavor to an ordinary lunch.
16. Pizzas: Because pizza is awesome and so is grilling. Try this half homemade pizza a la grill. Instead of baking, grill until cheese bubbles.
Time for dessert! Check out these 10 dessert recipes you can throw on the grill.