Charcoal vs. Gas Grills – And The Winner Is...?

Next week you may be pulling out the grill for a family Labor Day picnic - but which type of grill will you use? There is an ongoing debate between the two tribes of grilling - charcoal or gas. Today we are going to use specific guidelines to determine a winner - although of course you can also judge for yourself! For our contest, we will judge the grilling performance in four categories: time to heat, temperature control, consistency, and taste.

The time to heat will be decided on the amount of time it takes from ignition until the grill is ready to be cooked on. Control of temperature is judged on how easy it is to, well, control the temperature. Consistency is the ability to keep the heat source going consistently for the entire cooking period. And taste is determined by... okay, let's just go ahead and give this one to charcoal right now. Everyone agrees that cooking with charcoal just tastes better. On to the judging.

Charcoal

Beef and Corn on a Charcoal BBQ grill (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many ways to light a fire, but only one works really well in getting charcoal hot and up to temperature quickly; and that is using a chimney starter. Unless you already have an extremely hot fire burning, it is rather time consuming to get charcoal to light correctly. A chimney is a metal tube with an opening in the bottom and top. This allows a good flow of air while still keeping the charcoal close enough together to get hot at the same time. This process takes about ten minutes to get hot and then another two after they are dumped out to get the grill ready to cook on.

Temperature control is easy to learn with a charcoal grill, but you have to do it right. You can create hot or cold areas by stacking more or less of the briquettes in one area. You can keep the temperature more even all over the surface by spreading the briquettes out. All it takes is a quick wave of the hand over the grill to identify hot and cold areas, then it is on to the cooking.

Charcoal heat can last a relatively long time when the grill is open or if there is a good flow of air through the grill, but you have to make sure you have the air adjusted properly. Having the right air flow keeps the embers glowing without having them burn out too fast, or having them go out.  It's a matter of getting to know your grill.  If you close off the air flow either with the cover or the bottom slots, your charcoal will die out.  If you leave your grill wide open, your charcoal will burn out.  You've got to learn the right mix of air, but when you do, your fire will last plenty long enough to grill what you want.

Most grill aficionados will give the flavor award to charcoal.  Even diehard gas grill users will do what they can to get a charcoal flavor from their gas grill.  If you've ever walked through a neighborhood where residents are busy firing up their grills, the aroma you smell that makes you go 'ahhhh' is coming from the charcoal grills.  Gas grills simply do not give you that same aromatic effect. Charcoal is, by far, the best when it comes to taste.

Gas

Turn a knob, press a button and you have instant fire. You can go from ignition to ready-to-cook in a matter of five minutes. There will be a little learning curve as you find out just how to set the dials to get the required temperature.  Most recipes for grilled foods will give you a general temperature guide such as “over medium-high heat” or “grill set to high heat” etc.  Very few recipes actually tell you 400 degrees.  So, yes, your grill is hot in minutes with just a few clicks, but you have to learn through experience where your dials will lead you.

Gas grill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While it takes almost no time to heat up, there are a few issues when it comes to controlling the temperature. Sure, you can see what the temperature is inside the grill by that nifty little gauge on the cover, but when it comes to heating individual areas, you might run into a little problem. The structure of the gas jets running around the grill will give you hot and not-so-hot spots on the grill's grates.  Some bigger grills solve this by running gas jets through the middle of the grill as well as around the perimeters.  However, many grill recipes call for placing food on direct heat at first, then moving to indirect (those cooler spots in the middle), or cooking entirely on indirect heat. So the structure of the gas grill actually adds to the versatility of cooking on the grill. The bigger gas grills with the extra jets through the middle have the ability to turn off that middle gas line, so you still get an area that offers indirect heat. Problem solved.

Consistency is spot on with a gas grill. You can pretty much cook for as long as you have gas, and typically in any weather. When you close the lid, the grill stays lit so you don't have to worry about air flow through the unit to keep the fire going.  If you've got a big fat chicken on the rotisserie, you don't have to worry about the heat dropping as the charcoal burns down, being left with an undercooked bird.  A tip for serious gas grill users is to keep two gas tanks on hand – one on the grill and a back up. Watch your gas gauge and you'll never have to worry.

When it comes to taste on a gas grill, I don't want to suggest that the food doesn't taste good.  It does, but in comparison to charcoal grilled food, well, there's that 'ahhhh' effect again. Charcoal grilled food just has the 'grilled' taste that we all know and love.

The Winner

If grills were judged on taste alone, you know what the outcome would be. But this decision might just surprise you. The clear winner in this contest is gas. While the learning curve on the temperature may be a bit steep to begin with, once you learn it you will be an expert.  And just the sheer speed of lighting and the ability to cook in any weather makes gas grills very difficult to beat. So get out there, crank your knob, push your button, and get grilling!  And, if you happen to disagree with me, then get out your charcoal and enjoy your tasty grilled meal!

Recipe: Asian Marinated Grilled Salmon

This tasty recipe combines zesty Asian flavors like ginger and soy sauce with tangy lemon juice and sweet honey to form a perfect sauce to complement the flavor of salmon. A quick and easy recipe, this is great on the grill, and also a snap to clean up. Serve with grilled vegetables and a fresh green salad for a quick, delicious, healthy summer meal!

Asian Marinated Grilled Salmon

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: mccun934)

3 pounds salmon filets (skin on)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger root
1/2 tsp chopped fresh basil
1 shallot, finely chopped

Directions:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice. Stir in the honey, ginger, basil, and shallot until combined well.
• Place salmon (skin side down) in a glass baking dish and drizzle with the soy mixture. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
• Set grill temperature to medium.
• Put the salmon, skin side down, on heavy duty aluminum foil pieces. Drizzle some of the marinade mixture over the salmon, then seal the packet. 
• Put on grill, skin side of salmon down, and grill for 15 minutes. 
• Remove packets from grill, let sit for 5 minutes, then open the packets and remove the salmon using a metal spatula to separate the salmon meat from the skin, leaving the skin attached to the foil.

Recipe: Sweet & Tangy Grilled London Broil

This quick and easy summer recipe tastes great right off the grill, incorporating tangy limes with sweet honey for a unique twist on a typical London broil cut. Serve with a fresh green salad and grilled vegetables or corn on the cob for a fast, delicious, healthy summer meal. Set meat to marinate in the morning, and when you're ready to cook, dinner will be ready in 30 minutes!

Sweet & Tangy Lime Grilled London Broil
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1/4 cup honey
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 large limes, juiced
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp onion powder
1 (2 lb.) London broil

Instructions:

• In a glass bowl or large glass measuring cup, put the honey and warm in the microwave, uncovered, for about 20 seconds.
• Remove from microwave and stir in the remaining ingredients (except meat) then whisk to blend well.
• Place meat in a large Ziploc plastic bag. 
• Pour the marinade into the bag, seal the bag, and turn it over several times to coat the meat thoroughly. 
• Refrigerate meat for at least 8 hours, turning the bag at several times during this time. 
• When ready to grill, remove meat from the bag and discard marinade.
• Grill the meat according to your grill's instructions.  Usually, cover the grill, and cook about 6 to 9 minutes per side.
• Remove from grill and set on cutting board to rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Slice thinly across the grain.

Recipe: Slow Cooked Campfire Pot Roast In A Bag

Relax under the stars and let the delicious smells of this easy meal roasting on the coals stoke your appetite. Like a traditional pot roast, but more fun, the beef and vegetables will form their own rich gravy inside the foil pouch, and you'll dine like a gourmet no matter where you are! And if you just want to bring the campfire to your backyard, this one works great on a regular grill as well.

Slow Cooked Campfire Pot Roast In A Bag

Hot campfire (Photo credit: Murky1)

Ingredients:

1 pkg onion soup mix
1 cup water, heated
2 tsp flour
1 beef roast (3 lbs)
1 small onion, peeled in cut into quarters
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
4 medium red potatoes, washed and each cut into quarters
2 stalks celery, cut into 2 inch chunks
salt and pepper to taste
Large heavy duty foil cooking bag

Directions:

1. Put the onion soup mix in a bowl and pour in the hot water, stirring until the soup mix dissolves; set aside.
2. Sprinkle the flour into the foil bag and shake around. Put the roast in the bag and shake it around to coat well.
3. Add all the veggies to the bag and shake again.
4. Pour the onion soup from the bowl into the foil bag. Add salt and pepper to the bag if you wish, but remember the soup mix has salt in it already.
5. Seal the bag tightly by folding it over several times.
6. Put the bag, open side facing up, on a grate over a campfire over medium coals or on a grill over medium heat.
7. Cook turning once or twice (keeping open side up) for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the heat of the coals.
8. If you want you can use instead an 8" x 8" heavy duty aluminum foil cooking pan and just seal the pan with aluminum foil.

Recipe: Grilled Skirt Steak In Sweet Balsamic Marinade

Sweet and tangy flavors accent this delicious steak for a fast and easy grilled meal that will wow you tastebuds - and your guests! Spice it up with a few red pepper flakes if you like, or serve with grilled onions or shitake mushrooms for a gourmet twist. Either way, you can't go wrong with this simple and versatile recipe.

We hope you've enjoyed the past month of learning and grilling great meals! Be sure to stay tuned throughout the summer for more delicious, fast, fresh and easy summer cooking tips and from-scratch recipes.

Grilled Skirt Steak In Sweet Balsamic Marinade(Serves 2-4.)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp dark brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound skirt steak, trimmed and cut into 4 pieces
salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a large glass bowl, whisk together the balsamic, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and garlic.
2. Add the skirt steak to the mixture, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 25 minutes at room temperature. Turn the meat in the bowl several times during the marinating process.
3. Prepare grill to medium-high heat and oil the grate or prepare a grilling pan for the steak.
4. Remove steak from the bowl and discard marinade.
5. Sprinkle both sides of steak with salt and pepper, then place steak on grill, close lid, and cook for just 3 minutes, flip and cook another 3 minutes or until done to your liking.
6. Remove steak from grill and let the steak stand at room temperature for 5 minutes; cover loosely with a foil tent, but do not close tight.
7. Cut steaks into very thin slices on the diagonal and serve immediately.

3 Easy Tricks to Grilling Restaurant Worthy Steaks Like A Pro

This week we're celebrating the quintessential grilling holiday - that being, of course, the 4th of July! All across the country, in cities, small towns, and farmsteads alike, we'll be firing up those barbecue grills. And of course, one of the tastiest and most popular grilling items is the good old steak!

Over the past month, you have mastered the basics of your grill and now you are ready to start showing off your skills a bit more - just in time to serve perfect steak at your 4th of July barbecue this week! What better vehicle to grill with bravado than the classic – grilled steak.  There are three simple things to do to acquire restaurant quality perfection when it comes to grilling a nice beef steak. Let's get started.  My mouth is watering already!

1. Learn to Turn for Perfect Grill Marks

Have you ever envied those amazing sear marks you see on steak in restaurants? Be honest. You wish you could duplicate that at home. Well, it is a lot easier than you think. All you need is a hot grill, a pair of tongs, and at least a little knowledge of geometry. Yes, geometry.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First things first; make sure your steak is at room temperature.  Then, make sure your grill is nice and hot. The searing comes when the meat touches the extremely hot surface and begins to char the outer layer of meat. Once you have your first set of grill marks, and here's where your geometry comes in handy, turn your food at a 45 degree angle onto a new hot area of the grill.

You can also imagine making the letter 'V' with where it was laying and where it is going to lay. Also, be sure that the grates are hot where you are moving it too – if they are not hot, your grill marks will not be as prominent. Now your steak will look like it came from a five star restaurant.

Once you have the grill marks set on the top of the steak, you can flip your steak and you can continue cooking the steak until it's done to your liking. That's the bottom side and no one will see it, so it's not necessary to score it... unless you're absolutely hooked on this bit of fun.

2. Pick Up Steaks and Move

Now your presentation side is done and you just have to finish cooking the rest of the meal. This is where a giant grilling myth is busted. Many people think once you set your food on the grill, you are not supposed to pick it up, move it or even look at it until the suggested time is up.

Moving your steak, or other food, around on the grill helps ensure you get even cooking and can even help regulate internal temperature and doneness.

For instance, say you have a steak that you want to prepare to medium well. You have created your grill marks and flipped it over. The bottom is starting to look done, but it is still only medium in the middle. Instead of keeping the steak where it is, chancing that the bottom will get burnt so the middle is medium, why not move it to a cooler part of the grill and close the lid. This slows down the cooking of the outside of the steak while acting like an oven to cook the rest to its desired doneness.

3. A Good Steak is Pretty in Pink

While the USDA and other organizations still warn against undercooked meat, there are plenty of meat-loving grilling maestros who really don't see the reasoning.  A good cut of meat that has been grilled until it resembles charcoal is an abomination to the whole experience.  Steak will get tough as it gets closer to well-done simply because it's drying out. 

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That's not to say that you have to eat meat that is rare to have a delicious steak.  But, if you cook the smithereens out of your steak, making sure it loses all its pink color on the inside, you will be left with a less than enjoyable result on your plate.

You have to take into account that the steak continues to cook after you remove it from the grill.  It's not a lot, but it is enough to go from done to well-done if you're not careful.  For this reason, always take your steak off when you are thinking “Just one more minute.” 

Remove your steak with tongs not a fork. Poking holes in the steak will let the juices run out.  And please do not slice into the meat to see if it's done!  This is a major no-no. Instead, use the hand test.   With your hand open, feel the flesh under your thumb.  That's how a rare steak feels.  Close your hand;  that's how a steak cooked medium feels.  Clench your hand tight;  that's how a well-done steak feels. 

Remove your steak before it has the 'clenched hand flesh' feeling.  Set your steak on a warm plate or cutting board and allow it to rest for 3 to 5 minutes while you dish up the rest of the meal.  Then and only then cut into the meat.

Another reason for leaving your steak a bit pink inside is for leftovers.  If you're like me, you are thrilled to see that little piece of steak in foil the next day in the fridge.  Now you can pull it out, slice it thin, and use it in a fajita or an omelet or other great dish.  But, if the steak is overcooked already, it will just get tough as you cook it more.  In tomorrow's breakfast or lunch, your medium-rare to medium steak will lose its pink, but not its flavor if you're careful and don't over-heat it. Remember this simple rule, you can always cook food more, but you can never cook it any less.  So keep that steak at least a little pink inside.

By keeping these three tips in mind, you will create a perfectly grilled steak that will amaze your family and friends.  You'll wonder why you ever wasted your money ordering steak at a restaurant. And maybe you never will again!

Be sure to check back in the next couple of days for some tasty steak recipes for your 4th of July barbecue, as well as the rest of the grilling days of summer.

Recipe: Grilled Gorgonzola Fig Melts

These may be sandwiches, but there's nothing boring about them! If you're tired of the same-old, this recipe will perk up your tastebuds with an exciting combination of tangy cheese and sweet figs, all combined with the smoky flavor of the grill. This one will impress even the pickiest gourmand, and it's a great and easy way to dress up a summer dinner with company.

Grilled Gorgonzola Fig Melts
(Makes 4 sandwiches.)

Ingredients:

Gorgonzola (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
6 ripe but slightly firm figs, stemmed and cut in half lengthwise (the large pale green kind work well)
8 slices crusty Italian bread
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, at room temperature
black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Melt 1 tbsp of the butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet.
2. Add figs to skillet cut side down and saute about 2 minutes until golden around the edges and soft to the touch. Turn and cook for an additional minute, then transfer to a plate and let cool slightly.
3. Brush grill rack with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high.
4. Assemble sandwiches by buttering one side of each slice of bread with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. 
5. Put 4 slices of bread on a work surface, buttered side down, and spread the cheese evenly over all slices, followed by the figs. 
6. Put the remaining 4 bread slices on top, buttered side up.
7. Put sandwiches on the grill and cook for 2 minutes, until the undersides are golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. 
8. Turn sandwiches with a spatula, pressing firmly to flatten them slightly. 
9. Cook for 1 minute, or until the undersides of bread are golden brown. 
10. Turn the sandwiches once more, press with the spatula, and cook for 30 seconds, or until the cheese melts completely. Serve immediately. Makes 4 sandwiches.

Recipe: Grilled Sausage Stuffed Poblanos

Go Southwestern on the grill with this deliciously unique recipe featuring sausage and peppers in a new way that is sure to please those who love the spice! Grilling brings out the rich flavor of the poblano peppers (watch out - they're hot!), and when combined with the staple rice, black beans and cheese, you have a whole new twist on the stuffed pepper. Yum!

Grilled Sausage Stuffed Poblanos
(Makes 6 servings.)

Ingredients:

Poblano peppers. (Photo credit: jalapenokitten)

1 lb package spicy breakfast sausage
6 large poblano peppers
1 cup cooked rice
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
optional toppings of salsa and sour cream

Directions:

1. Start by cooking the sausage in a skillet over medium high heat, stirring often, until sausage crumbles and browns; set aside.
2. Heat grill to medium and set whole poblano peppers on grates and grill, turning several times as they cook until they are charred all over. 
3. Remove poblanos from grill and put in a heat-resistant bowl, then cover tightly with plastic food wrap. Let poblanos stand for about 5 minutes to loosen the skin. Then remove the poblanos from the bowl and carefully peel off the charred skin and set the poblanos on a work surface.
4. Carefully cut a small slit lengthwise into each pepper, making sure you don't cut through the poblano and leave the top with the stem intact. This forms a pocket.
5. Carefully scoop out the seeds from inside the poblanos. 
6. In the skillet with the cooked sausage, add the rice, black beans, and cheese and stir to combine.
7. Spoon this mixture into poblanos, distributing evenly.
8. Arrange peppers on a grilling pan.  You can cover it in aluminum foil if you wish. 
9. Put pan on grill over medium to medium high heat, cover the grill, and cook for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts. 
10. Remove poblanos to plates and top with salsa and sour cream to serve if desired.

Unique Grilled Foods – Unlikely Candidates Bring Big Flavor

The staples of the grilling world, like steak, chicken, and hamburgers are great, but there are some less common foods that make for amazing meals. These are ingredients and dishes you may not have thought of, but should.  Real grillers want to throw everything on the grill they can find.  And guess what?  They can!  Nothing should be off limits.  Let's take a look at some uncommon grilling fare that will tantalize your taste buds this summer!

Cedar Plank Salmon

Fish, grilled on a cedar plank. (Photo credit: woodleywonderworks)

If you want an amazingly romantic dish for your significant other with all the “manly-man” feel of grilling out, try cedar plank salmon. You start with a cedar plank, which is simply a piece of wood, that is soaked in either water or apple cider vinegar. Then you marinate a whole salmon fillet, with the skin on, in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and capers. The longer you marinate, the better it will be; six hours is ideal.

Set your grill on medium-low and once it gets hot, place the wet cedar plank on the grill and place the salmon skin side down on the plank. Spoon a little of the excess marinade, including the capers, onto the salmon and then close the grill cover and cook until the salmon is cooked through. The time will depend on the size of the salmon, but you are probably going to cook it for about 25 to 35 minutes. This dish is not only delicious, the presentation is gorgeous; rugged yet romantic. Perfect combination.

Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes are a great classic. So, why not try grilled green tomatoes instead? You can grill them healthier than frying them, especially if you leave off the breading. They also will not be in a pan with oil.  Keep the slices thick to help hold the tomatoes together.  You don't want all the juicy parts to disappear down the grates.  Just salt and pepper and place the tomatoes directly on the grill grates or on a grilling tray.  If you cut them thick enough, you may also be able to use a grilling basket that squeezes shut and holds them steady. This is a homey appetizer with great appeal. Serve with a nice dip for a complete appetizer, side dish, or snack.

Grapes on the Side

Fruit on the grill is an incredible treat. If you have ever had grilled mango or grilled pineapple, then you know exactly what we are talking about. But grapes? Sure, they are filled with natural sugars that help to caramelize nicely on the grill. A little bit of oil and a bunch of red grapes makes a great compliment to your grilled steak. Try green grapes as a side with grilled fish.  You'll need a grilling basket to toss the grapes around until they soften and start to brown.  A touch of salt will bring out the sweet. These are pretty, delicious, and quite unusual.

Cover via Amazon

Sausage Fruit Kebabs

When you think of sausages, thoughts of smoky flavored goodness served in a bun may come to mind. This is a great application, but does yet another sandwich seem boring? Then what do you do? You cut the sausage into chunks, add some fruit, a couple nice pieces of bell pepper, stick it all on a skewer and put it on the grill for a delicious kebab. Now that simple sausage is a beautiful dinner.  You can expand on the theme by making a little sauce out of fruit juice and soy sauce, reduced down in a saucepan. All these flavors blend well. With the salty sausage and the sweet fruit, you've got a perfect combination.

Outside dining does not have to be the same old thing every time you fire up the grill.  By playing around with a few new ingredients, you can come up with some amazing recipes. Surprise yourself and impress your family and guests with outrageously delicious dishes, hot off the grill!

Recipe: Island Time Grilled Chicken

Dreaming of a tropical island? This fast and easy summer recipe will make you feel like you're there! Just pop it on the grill and then stretch out by the pool - and maybe have your honey rub a little coconut oil on you - and in no time you'll be ready for a relaxed dinner featuring the spicy sweetness of island cuisine.

Island Time Grilled Chicken
(Serves 4.)

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
3 tbsp chopped hot peppers
2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped onions
chicken pieces, about 2 lbs.

Directions:

• Place all ingredients in a large ziploc bag.
• Add chicken pieces to bag, seal, and put in refrigerator overnight.
• When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium.
• Take chicken out of marinade and place, skin side down, on grill grates on indirect heat; close grill.  
• When the skin crisps, turn and grill until meat is cooked through; about 15 to 25 minutes depending on the cuts of chicken.

Recipe: Cheesy Grilled Chicken Cutlet Veggie Wraps

This fast and tasty grilled meal makes a great quick weeknight dinner, or a nice lunch for a lazy weekend afternoon. Simple and easy, just a few fresh ingredients make this a snap to prepare, and grilling in packets makes the cleanup just as easy - and it's low-carb too!

Cheesy Grilled Chicken Cutlet Veggie Wraps

(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

4 chicken cutlets, pounded thin
1/2 cup Italian Dressing
4 slices Provolone cheese
1 lb fresh cleaned asparagus
1 red bell pepper, cleaned and sliced into thin strips

Directions:

• Prepare grill to medium-high heat.
• Put cutlets into a bowl with Italian dressing and toss to coat well.
• Tear off 4 big sheets of aluminum foil and lay on work surface.
• Lay out a cutlet on each foil sheet; top with cheese slices, then divide asparagus and the red bell pepper pieces evenly between the packets.
• Roll the cutlets up like a burrito over the vegetables, then roll up in the foil and seal tightly.
• Put the foil bundles on the grill over indirect heat, close grill, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, turning over 2 to 3 times during the cooking time.
• Remove and let stand for several minutes, then unroll the foil and serve.

Speed Up Your Grilling - 5 Tips For A Faster Meal

Grilling can sometimes be a bit of a process. From marinating your food, to waiting for the grill to heat up, and standing there watching and turning, turning and watching, it can be sort of tedious.  But, only if you let it be. 

If there was a way to speed up the process, wouldn't you jump all over it like a sizzling steak? Sure you would. Well, here are five tips for quicker grill meals that will get you from start to finish faster, and with very tasty results.

Grilling chicken (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Plan Ahead Marinade

If you know you're going to marinate your food, prepare the marinade the day before, or even earlier.  Allowing the food to marinate while you are sleeping or at work is a nice time saver.  This long marinating time won't work for everything, but when you can do it, like for hearty foods like chicken, or for lighter marinades, go ahead and give it a try.  It's a great time saver.

Even if you don't want your food to actually sit in the marinade more than an hour or so, you can have a bowl prepared in the refrigerator so when the time comes, you pull it out, plop in the food, stir it up, and it's ready to do its magic.

The Right Temp is Room Temp

Pulling a piece of meat out of the refrigerator and slapping it down on a hot grill is just asking for problems. When a piece of meat is cold throughout, two things happen.  The meat will cook faster on the outside than on the inside, resulting in an over-charred piece of meat that surprises you with a terribly under-cooked inside. This also results in a tough chewy meat. The fibers of that ice cold meat actually seize up when confronted with the heat. You want your meat's fibers relaxed when they hit the flame, so they can ease into the idea of being turned into your dinner, happily turning juicy and tender for you.

Whatever you are grilling, whether it is beef, chicken, pork, seafood, or even vegetables and fruit, let them come to room temperature before you begin to grill. A quick tip here is to take it out of the fridge at least an hour or two before you plan to cook it, or just let it marinate on the counter at room temperature to begin with. It's really a misconception that food can't stand a little time out of the refrigerator before spoiling - especially if you're going to cook it on a nice hot grill.  Letting the food come to room temperature will help speed up the cooking time, keep your product evenly cooked, and ensure that you get the tender juicy results you want.

Pint Size Helpings

Chicken parts, meat parts, fish fillets, and more can usually stand a bit of portion reduction.  If you have an hour and a half, you can rotisserie cook a whole chicken.  But, you can throw on chicken cutlets and they'll be done in minutes.  If you're in a hurry, look at your ingredients and ask yourself if they can be cut in half, made thinner, or diced.

This is more than about just cutting a piece of meat in half, it's about getting crafty with your cooking.  One inch squares of pork on skewers will make a faster dinner than a pork roast.  Potato wedges cook faster than whole potatoes.  If you want your salmon to cook in ten minutes rather than 30 minutes, cut that whole fillet into four pieces.  Think tapas-size dishes on the grill for a shorter time from grill to table.

Flip Your Lid

There are very few meals that should be made on a grill with the lid off. When you have the grill uncovered, the outside air cools the food and actually slows down the cooking time. Yes, even on hot days. Because if you think about it, most of your grilling is done at roughly 300 to 400 degrees, so even a 90 degree day is a lot cooler than the food needs to cook.

By keeping your lid lowered, your grill acts more like an oven so that your food cooks thoroughly inside as well as getting that nice grilling on the outside. Read your owner's manual for your grill and you'll find instructions and recipes for grilling particular foods.  Follow these instructions, close the cover, and you'll find your meal is done perfectly every time, and on time, too!

Divide and Conquer

Charcoal Grill (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your grill has sections that are hot, and sections that are not so hot.  It just makes sense when you are trying to gain a few minutes on the grill to use those different temperatures wisely. While gas grills heat in the same pattern, you still need to know what that pattern is. Charcoal grills are a different matter; you can create your own patterns of hotter and cooler areas by arranging the charcoal.

Either way, you have to think about how you are going to arrange your food. Thinking about cooking on the various heats to best suit your food can speed up your cooking time. For instance, placing the meat on the hot section first to get a good sear, then moving it to indirect heat, frees up your hot section for more searing, such as to give your foil packets of veggies a good start. Then move those off to a cooler area to continue 'roasting' and use the hot spot again to give those pineapple slices some nice grill marks.  As you move the food around, everything finishes cooking at the same time and as quickly as possible.  Utilize all the areas of your grill to maximize the efficiency rather than moving food on and off the grill, cooking one food at a time.

Learning these few little methods to speed up your cooking time will make grilling much more enjoyable.  If you think of the process as long, tedious, and tiresome, chances are you won't be lighting your grill any time soon.  Make friends with your grill again.  But do it fast - summer grilling season is in full swing!

Recipe: Mini Pot Roast Packets On The Grill

Enjoy the rich flavors of pot roast, without having to heat up the house cooking for hours. Try this tasty and simple recipe on the grill for a quick dinner that is sure to please everyone - especially the person who normally has to scrub out the pot roast pan! This grilled meal offers great taste and minimal work, plus easy cleanup - it's a winner all around!

Mini Pot Roast Packets On The Grill
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

1 lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 green onions, chopped
2 Yukon gold potatoes, diced small
1 regular carrot, diced small
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp water

Directions:

• Prepare the grill to medium-high heat.
• Tear off 4 large sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil.
• Divide the beef and all the vegetables evenly between the 4 sheets of foil; fold the sides up but leave unsealed for now.
• Whisk together the Worcestershire sauce, butter, and water, then pour carefully into the contents of the packets.  
• Fold up the sides and tightly seal into a packet, leaving a little air space at the top.
• Set on grill on indirect heat, close cover, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, spinning packets around once or twice during the cooking time.
• Cook until meat and vegetables are tender and cooked to your liking.
• Remove and let rest for a few minutes then carefully open packets and serve.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Fajita Dinner In A Pouch

This easy-peasy yummy dinner takes little prep time, so you can spend your time enjoying the great outdoors on a summer evening, instead of cooking away in the kitchen. Grilling food in foil packets makes it easy to cook a full meal at once, and clean up of course is a snap - you won't even get the grill dirty! Enjoy this tasty summer dinner for a picnic with friends, or just a lazy summer evening at home in the backyard.

Grilled Chicken Fajita Dinner In A Pouch
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4 teaspoons Mexican seasoning powder or chili powder
4 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 lbs chicken, cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
2 bell peppers, diced small
2 onions, diced small
tortillas for serving (optional)

Directions:

• Mix Mexican seasoning and lime juice together in a bowl, then add the chicken and bell peppers, and cover with plastic wrap. Put in refrigerator for up to 2 hours.
• Make 4 pouches out of aluminum foil and spoon mixture (including the liquid) into the center of each pouch, dividing ingredients equally.
• Fold edges of pouches tightly and form envelopes, leaving a bit of room for hot air and expansion within the pouch.
• Put on grill set at medium-high and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning the pouches several times to cook evenly.
• Serve on tortillas with toppings such as sour cream or guacamole, if desired.  This meal may also be served over a salad.

Full Meal Deal – Make It All Right On Your Grill

Grilled meals are usually pieced together with only a portion of the meal made on the grill while the rest is cooked indoors and then served together. But who wants to be the one stuck in the kitchen while the fun is happening outside around the grill?

Today, we have so many gadgets and gizmos on our grills there is no reason we are not able to fix all of our meal on the grill itself. Let's take a look at four complete meals that are made on the grill in the same amount of time, or less, than you would make indoors.

Grilled Stir Fry

(Photo credit: batigolix)

Stir-fry is usually made in a wok or a deep pan on the stove. Been there, done that. You add a bunch of spices and liquids to season it up. Why not develop flavor while you are cooking the vegetables and meat instead of at the end?  By grilling the vegetables, you bring out the hidden sweetness trapped inside as the outside is caramelized over the fire. The meat also takes on the flavors of the grill, so when they are all combined, all you need to add is a little soy sauce at the most and dinner is ready to enjoy. Pick a protein and a few veggies or even fruit and give it a shot tonight.

Grilled Picnic

Picnics were made so you can enjoy the outdoors. Why coop yourself up in the house to cook for the great outdoors? Grilling is a perfect option for picnics. Think about grilled potato salad, or perhaps a hot grilled cabbage salad with spicy vinaigrette dressing. And grilled sandwiches are a no-brainer.  So, why not invite your grill to the picnic?

Grilled Pot Pie

One great benefit of the grill is that it has a cover. This cover can be lowered or raised to adjust the temperature. When the cover is closed, a grill acts a lot like an oven, which means that pot pies are fair game. A pot pie cooked on the grill not only has all the delicious ingredients that you are used to, but if you cook it on a charcoal grill with a little cherry or oak wood thrown in for kindling, you get a flavor you never would have expected. If you want to take pot pies to a new level, cook them on the grill.

Grill packet ready to cook.(Photo credit: sporkist)

Grilled Packets

One of the easiest ways to make a full meal on a grill is to enclose it in a foil packet. Just about anything goes with this kind of technique. The trick is to combine ingredients that taste good together as well as cooks at the same rate. Fish is an easy choice. Take a nice salmon fillet, put it over a bed of kale, top it with a big wedge of lemon and some sweet onion, and you have one amazing dinner. Cut up a sweet Italian sausage and combine with parboiled potato wedges and bell pepper strips.  Seal the packets well and you can even add a little butter or olive oil.  Be sure to cook with the cover closed and turn the packets around a few times during the cooking time.  This is the perfect way to make individual servings at the same time.  You can even customize each individual packet to suit your guests.

Your grill is a great place to create easy meals.  Don't limit your grilling experience to hamburgers and hotdogs, or even steak and chicken.  Imagine full meals coming off your grill so you can grill more frequently, preparing delicious treats for your family. Why not try something new tonight and take your whole meal outdoors!

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salsa Verde Burritos

From Asian to Mexican, grilling can bring many exotic flavors right to your own backyard. Today's recipe features spicy salsa verde and creamy avocado for a tasty and easy meal great for a quick lunch or dinner in a shady spot on a hot summer day!

Grilled Chicken Salsa Verde Burritos (Serves 4.)

Flour Tex-Mex tortillas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, skin and bones removed
olive oil for grilling
salt and pepper
1 cup salsa verde
8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
1 avocado, sliced thin
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese

Directions:

• Set your grill up for medium-high heat.
• Rub the chicken with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place chicken on grill, close cover, and cook for 5 minutes, flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Remove from grill and let rest on a cutting board for 3 minutes; then slice chicken into thin strips and place in large bowl.
• Add salsa verde to bowl with chicken and stir gently to combine; set aside
• Place tortillas on the grill just until grill marks appear, flip and do the same to the other side. Remove to working surface.
• Lay out tortillas and divide the chicken slices, avocado, and cheese evenly between all the tortillas and roll up into a burrito.
• Makes 8 small burritos.

Recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Pork Tenders

Mmm-mmm-mmm!  Go Asian with your grilling this week with this tasty twist on Teriyaki. This simple and easy recipe uses the fresh summer flavors of green onions and bell peppers, combined with spicy ginger and Teriyaki sauce for a delicious main dish in minutes. Great for a quick summer weeknight meal.

Grilled Teriyaki Pork Tenders(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

1 lb. pork tenderloin
1 red bell pepper
4 green onions
4 Tbsp Teriyaki sauce
1 tsp fresh grated ginger root
4 tsp olive oil

Directions:

• Set your grill to medium-high heat and preheat.
• Put tenderloin on grill, cover grill, and cook for 5 minutes, then turn over and cook for another 5 minutes.  Remove and let rest on cutting board while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Clean the red bell pepper and cut into thin strips.
• Wash and trim the onions and cut each lengthwise in half.
• In a bowl whisk together the Teriyaki, ginger root, and olive oil.
• Cut the tenderloin into 1/2 inch thick slices, and separate into 4 equal portions.
• Place four large aluminum foil squares on a work surface.
• Arrange 1/4 of the pork on each square, then cover with 1/4 of the red bell peppers and 1/4 of the onion.
• Carefully pour the Teriyaki mixture over the meat and veggies and fold and seal the aluminum foil tight.  Teriyaki is quite salty so you may not need to salt the mixture, but taste and decide.
• Place the 4 packets on the medium-high heat grill, cover and allow to cook for about 8 to 10 minutes or until hot and steaming. Spin around once during this cooking time.
• Remove and let rest for 3 minutes before opening.

An Old-Fashioned Picnic - Enjoy Foods from Days Gone By!

Summer's ending always seems to trigger nostalgia. Before we head into the chill of fall, why not take advantage of the remaining warm days and have an old-fashioned summer picnic? Remembering days long past brings back memories of fabulous foods and outdoor picnics on a blanket on the grass. Picnic dishes were often family recipes we grew up with, passed down from Grandmother to Mother, Grandfather to Father.

Back in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, school picnics, potluck picnics, 4th of July picnics, and Labor Day picnics were times when the mothers and fathers would present their favorite salads, desserts, baked beans, or grilled masterpieces.  Just recalling these old favorites is enough to take you back, enjoying the memory of every tasty morsel.  Here are a few dishes that, I hope, will evoke memories for you, and maybe even some ideas for your next picnic:

Old Main Dishes Made New
Ah, for the days when low fat and cholesterol were still a figment of someone's imagination.  At every picnic, piles of chicken with crispy skin, hamburgers, hotdogs, and bratwursts or sausages took center stage.  There was no such thing as boneless, skinless chicken breasts or turkey burgers.  Back then, we cooked our chicken with the skin on, bones in, and everybody ate it all.  There was one brand of hotdogs, all bratwursts and sausages were pork, and hamburgers were made with 'hamburger' and not lean ground beef (aka "pink slime"), or any variation.

Sausages with salad and potato salad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nowadays, you can grill some of the old time favorites, but feel free to tweak them to your taste, and of course, for best health, choose organic, sustainably raised and pasture-fed meats.

Put a whole chicken on the grill, either by removing the backbone and “butterflying” the chicken, flattening it out to cook evenly, or putting it on the rotisserie (or try beer can chicken for a special taste treat).  The fat cooks off better than deep frying it, and a whole chicken stays more moist than a cut-up chicken. Another option is to slide your seasonings underneath the skin before grilling.  Perfect “have your cake and eat it too” solution – the flavor is ON the meat and not the skin.

There are more choices now for hotdogs, sausages, and bratwursts.  You can find many varieties using leaner choices like turkey, chicken, or even vegetarian, that have fabulous flavor.  It's amazing how many vegetarian hotdogs are available that taste almost identical to other hotdogs once they've been on the grill.  Don't shy away from these new varieties of your favorite summer grill staples.

Simple grilled beef steak maintains the legacy of the 40s, 50s, and 60s quite well.  Include the classic cast iron skillet of mushrooms and onions and you have a grilled steak dinner identical to the best dinners from decades past.

Chicken salad, tuna salad, and other cold main dish salads and sandwiches are the mainstays of Mom's picnic dishes from decades past.  Ground ham or bologna sandwiches are still seen, but have been updated for a more health conscience picnic goer.  Processed meats are often avoided when picnic meals are planned today, however, the flavors of these long-ago sandwiches are still a much desired picnic basket favorite. Choose a lean slice of ham, chop it up or grind it, and mix it with light mayonnaise, olive oil mayonnaise, or just mix in cooked egg yolk and sour cream as a nice alternative.  Don't forget the pickle relish!  This makes a nice old-fashioned sandwich that's delicious and more health conscious.

Here's where we add a note about breads when serving sandwiches.  The days of piles of sandwiches in white bread are gone.  Replacing white bread with multi-grain bread bumps sandwiches up a notch into the 21st Century.  For instance, the classic “picnic spread” of ground or chopped ham that we just modernized can be made even healthier.  Spread it on a hearty seven grain bread, and you turn an old fashioned picnic favorite into a new, healthier classic - and with more flavor too.

Old-Fashioned Sides With a Few Twists

Salads had less greens and more mayonnaise back in the old days.  Pasta salads, potato salads, egg salad, deviled eggs, seven layer salads, Jello salads, and lots of other sides were often based on mayonnaise dressings.  Now, many of these sides have embraced vinaigrette dressings, light herb dressings, and other lower fat alternatives to regular mayonnaise.

Potato salad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Classics like three bean salads have changed from sugar and vinegar based dressing to honey or other light dressing.  Potato salads now include lighter varieties for the dressing, like olive oil, vinegar, and lots of herbs, while still including the classic egg yolk for the flavor we all love.  You'll also find many creamy dressings are now being made with yogurt instead of mayonnaise.  Or, folks are making their own mayonnaise using healthy fat alternatives.

Deviled eggs are another side that we loved back in the old days.  Every picnic had a tray or two or three of these classics, often in clever little carrying devices.  How can you improve or update deviled eggs? Add capers or anchovies for more flavor and you have an updated version of this wonderful favorite.  Chop up cilantro, add a dash of hot sauce, and you've got deviled eggs that are uniquely yours.

And, yes, we mentioned Jello salads.  There was a time when Jello salads were vehicles for vegetables as well as fruit.  Those days are long gone.  However, the reason is not because they weren't tasty, the reason is because many of these vegetable Jello dishes featured mayonnaise.  Lime Jello with shredded carrots topped with sour cream and mayonnaise was not uncommon.  No, you probably don't want to duplicate that in your “revisit the good old days” picnic.  However, there are ways to bring back the old, yet maintain the new.  Simple Jello salads featuring vegetables is actually quite tasty.  Choose simple combinations like a lime Jello with shaved celery and carrots, topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt.  This is a tasty, light combination that appeals to many picnic goers who are watching their diet.

Think twice before you plan your sides and salads and you'll find many alternatives with today's nod to health conscious choices, and a touch of modern flavor. 

Decades Old Desserts

Chocolate desserts were always a big hit at picnics of the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  From chocolate puddings, cakes, cookies, and even cream pies, knowing then that everybody loves chocolate was a pretty safe bet, just as it is today.  Some favorites of those decades was Black Forest Cake and German Chocolate Cake.  As ingredients like coconut, baking chocolate, and canned cherries became more available, these favorites became the norm instead of the exception at just about every occasion.  Because both of these cakes freeze especially well, they are the perfect choice for today's picnic celebration.  Transport in a cooler and they will thaw in time for dessert.

A cranberry jello salad made in a ring mold. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now, we come to Jello once again.  Believe it or not, during the 40s and 50s, the Jello folks were pushing hard to get housewives to implement Jello as a vegetable.  Then, in the 60s the emphasis turned to Jello as a dessert.  One classic from those days was the whipped Jello and ice cream dessert. Throwing your Jello in a mixing bowl and whipping in fruit and ice cream got kids to eat Jello for dessert, long forgetting the vegetable focus.  Jello desserts began to fill picnic and potluck tables like never before.  When hosting a picnic featuring your favorite dishes from long ago, you can't forget the Jello.  There are low-sugar varieties now and many creative recipes to serve Jello in new ways.

Yes, times have changed, but every once in awhile, don't you just long to indulge in the picnic foods you remember from long ago?   If so, dig around in the recipes from the past.  Choose your favorites and have fun making them exactly as you like – either the way you remember, or with a few tweaks to make them more "you".  Plan your next picnic with all those favorites from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s and rediscover the flavors of days gone by.

Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty picnic-friendly recipes!

Recipe - Ballpark Sausages with Grilled Peppers and Onions

Here's a great recipe to try for some tasty summer grilling fun.  Whether it's a quintessential grilling summer holiday like the 4th of July, or just a weekend on the patio with the family, grilled foods are easy, convenient, and just a great part of summer!

Check out this classic recipe on the grill, and bask in these early summer days with a big ol' sausage! :-)

Ballpark Sausages with Grilled Peppers and Onions

Some sausages grilling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

3 green bell peppers, cleaned and cut into strips
1 medium sweet onion, cut into wedges
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 package (14 ounce size) smoked hot or sweet Italian sausages, cut in half lengthwise
4 hero rolls, sliced open
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:

• Turn grill on and heat to medium-hot.
• Put peppers and onions in a bowl with oil and toss to combine, then put in grilling basket or tray.
• Place basket with peppers and onions on grill and sausages directly on grates.
• Cook peppers and onions until just starting to char, about 3 or 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for 3 or 4 minutes or until soft and nicely charred.
• Cook sausages about 3 or 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for about the same time or until they get nice and hot and have good grill marks.
• Put open side of rolls down on grill during the last minute of cooking to toast.
• Remove everything from grill, and dump peppers and onions, along with the sausages into a large bowl or pot, add vinegar and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.
• To serve, use tongs and take 2 sausage halves, and a generous amount of peppers and onions and put on a toasted bun. Add a bit of mustard if desired.

Yum! Fire up the grill - I'm hungry already!


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Memorial Day Picnic - Fun Grilling Ideas

Think of warm weather, summertime, and outdoor activities, and you'll soon be thinking of planning a picnic.  There's nothing like sharing food in the great outdoors to give you plenty of reasons to smile.

Italian sausage. A typical method of cooking is grilling, as depicted here. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Firing up the grill for a picnic usually brings on thoughts of hamburgers, hot dogs, and barbecued chicken. That's all dandy and certainly delicious, but wouldn't you like your grilled food to stand out a little from the rest?  Perhaps there are ways to present old favorites on the grill in new ways, or even try something completely different.  Here are a few thoughts about new ways to grill up some summertime dishes this Memorial Day (or just any warm summer day when you want to do something a bit special):

Rethink the Sauce
One popular ingredient in many grilled main dishes is barbeque sauces and other types of glazes and marinades. There are hundreds if not thousands of recipes to add more flavor to whatever you're cooking. If you have been grilling for many years, you've probably made your own sauces or have found a few favorites. But, maybe it's time to rethink those sauces.

Begin by experimenting with a whole range of ingredients.  Don't limit yourself to the ingredients you've been using.  We know you automatically pull out the mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and honey, but what else is there to make a sauce for the grill?

Take a look first in the fruit bin. Consider the lemons, limes, oranges, apples, and yes, even the watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwis.  Now, pull open the vegetable bin and grab the fresh tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, celery, onion, and even avocados.  Turn to your pantry and take out the apple jelly, orange marmalade, maple syrup, raisins, dried cranberries, red wine vinegar, tarragon vinegar, and all the dressings, including Ranch, French, Thousand Island, and Green Goddess.  And, don't forget the spice rack.  There is basically nothing off limits – grab it all.

Don't be afraid to grate, smash, or simmer ingredients together that you might never have used in the same sauce before. Combine contrasting flavors – savory with sweet, tangy with smooth, creamy with crunchy – until you have a unique sauce that you can call your own.

Now, marinade, glaze, or brush the sauce onto whatever you are grilling.  Try a fruity white sauce on meat; a tomato-based hot sauce on fish; or a savory herbed sauce on fruit.  Put it on the grill and see what happens.  You'll have completely new dishes that will perk up and surprise the taste buds.  And, isn't that what grilling is all about?

Rethink the Main Dish
If you're used to throwing a steak on the grill, but want to experiment with other cuts, try grilling full roasts.  With the right preparation and setup, you can put a big beef roast or pork roast on the grill, either in a rack or on a rotisserie and surprise your family and guests with a tender and juicy roast that didn't require heating up the house with hours in the oven.

Grilling chả. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Instead of your usual cut up chicken pieces, wings, or legs, try grilling a whole chicken.  The juices stay in a little better when the chicken is whole.  Not sure you have time for a whole chicken?  You can also “butterfly” a chicken by cutting out just the backbone and pushing it down flat, keeping the chicken whole but providing a flattened version that cooks up in no time.

Fish is another grilling favorite at picnics.  Use fish that is firm and solid so it grills well and doesn't fall apart or become dry.  Oily fish like salmon is perfect on the grill, but there are many other types of fish that work equally well.  Fish grills best when you don't have to flip it with a spatula, that's why you want to invest in a grilling basket which encloses the fish and you flip the basket over easily with the fish inside it.

Other seafood that's perfect picnic food for the grill includes shrimp, scallops, and lobster.  Shrimp can be grilled unpeeled to help keep them from overcooking.  Lobster can be grilled in the shell, as well.  Use a tray made for the grill with smaller slots to keep smaller seafood, like shrimp and scallops, from falling through.  Marinate the seafood in a variety of flavors for a different flavor each time you have a grilling picnic.

You say your taste for a juicy grilled burger is too powerful to ignore?  You've still got lots of choices for variety at your picnic. You can dress up your burgers inside-and-out with many different flavors.  Remember; beef isn't the only burger in town!  Ground turkey, pork, or chicken are great substitutes for those who want a different kind of burger at this year's picnic.  But, don't stop there.  Salmon and crab meat make great grilled patties, too. And of course there's my favorite - venison.

Besides what goes into the actual patty, think beyond conventional recipes and marinate your ground meat or fish with anything from red wine to a mixture of Worcestershire, soy sauce, or steak sauce, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar.  Add to the inside of the burger, or as condiments, a variety of flavorful cheeses, hot or mild peppers, nuts, and salsa.  Instead of throwing a raw onion on top, caramelize some onions in a cast iron skillet on top of the grill over low heat.  The incredible sweetness will surprise and delight you and your guests.  These are no longer your grandpa's burgers!

Brussels Grill: Mixed vegetables (Photo credit: batigolix)

Sometimes, you need to rethink the way you prepare your main dishes at a grilling picnic to make serving simple. Think shish-kabobs and you hardly even need to bring plates!  These bite-size pieces are a great way to cook, serve, and eat your favorite foods easily at a grilling picnic.  Alternate cut up meat, meat balls, poultry, or seafood with grape tomatoes, chunks of sweet onions, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, or mushrooms.  Some foods lend themselves very well to a tropical taste, too.  Include pineapple chunks or citrus with chicken or seafood for a taste of the islands.

Rethink the Dessert

Sure, you can serve popsicles and watermelon, but the grill is right there, all fired up.  Isn't there something you can do to put it to work creating delightful desserts?  You can start with the old stand-by and toast marshmallows, but don't stop there.  Keep going and put together 'S'mores' using the classic ingredients of toasted marshmallows, graham crackers, and a chocolate bar.  Or, you can create unique varieties using toasted marshmallows with things like oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cups, white chocolate, and flaked coconut as possible ingredients. You'll have lots of fun coming up with your own distinct creations here.

Expanding on the dessert theme is easier than you might think with a grill.  For instance, go ahead and cut up that watermelon you brought... but wait.  How about grilling it before serving?  Yes, you can grill watermelon, too.  Cut it off the rind, into about one inch thick pieces.  Grill quickly on both sides until grill marks show.  Put it on a plate and drizzle a tiny bit of balsamic vinaigrette over each piece.  The tangy saltiness of the vinaigrette compliments the sweetness of the watermelon in an unbelievable way.  Now THAT'S a grilled picnic delight!

You can also choose dessert classics that can be grilled, like pound cake with fruit compote or simple berries tossed together in a grilling basket until just lightly charred.  You can make banana boats in foil filled with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, or perhaps your tastes lean toward grilled apple slices topped with a syrup of brown sugar and raisins.  Grilled pineapple rings is another classic.  Serve these simply on a plate as they are or use them to top slices of angel food cake or pound cake with a drizzle of chocolate.

As you can see, you can grill just about anything you want to serve at your picnic.  Even if you choose to serve sandwiches, why not grill them?  When you fire up your grill for your picnic, don't limit the menu to hotdogs and hamburgers.  Use your imagination.  If you can cook it, you can grill it!


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