Recipe: Maple Dressed Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Mmmm...this tasty grilled dessert-like dish is simple to make, and full of fiber and vitamins - plus delicious flavors. You may never have thought of putting sweet potatoes on the grill before, but once you try this, it just may become your favorite way to make sweet potatoes!

Maple Dressed Grilled Sweet Potatoes
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

4 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp cooking oil (or melted coconut oil - my favorite)
4 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp brown sugar
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Peel sweet potatoes and cut into thin slices lengthwise.
• Place potatoes in a bowl and pour oil in and rub all over so all pieces are well coated.
• Oil the grill grate and preheat grill to medium-low. Arrange the potatoes on the grates in the center of the grill, away from direct flame. 
• Cover grill and cook sweet potatoes until good grill marks appear, then flip and continue cooking; total time about 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness of potatoes.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.
• When sweet potatoes are tender all the way through, remove to the bowl with maple syrup mixture and toss to coat well.
• Add more salt and pepper to taste if desired and serve immediately.

Recipe: Cheesy Grilled Granny Smith Sandwiches

You might not think of the grill when you're making a sandwich, but why not? Similar to a panini, but with that great, grilled flavor, grilled sandwiches are a great way to put a new and tasty twist on an old classic. Give this simple, delicious recipe a try the next time you're looking for something a little different for lunch!

Cheesy Grilled Granny Smith Sandwiches
(Serves 2.)

Ingredients: 

A Granny Smith apple (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4 slices whole-grain bread
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon or Spicy Brown mustard
2 oz cheddar cheese, finely grated and divided
1/2 medium Granny Smith apple, cored, halved, and sliced lengthwise in thin strips

Directions:

• Preheat grill or griddle to temperature.
• Lay out the 4 slices of bread. Lightly brush one side of each piece of bread with oil.
• Flip 2 pieces of bread over and spread evenly with mustard. 
• Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese on both slices covered with mustard. 
• Place a layer of apples evenly over the cheese, then top with remaining cheese.
• Top each with other half of bread, oiled-side-up, to make 2 sandwiches.
• Cook sandwiches over medium heat on grill or in a cast iron skillet until light golden brown on bottom. 
• Flip with a spatula and continue cooking until cheese melts and bread is golden brown on other side. 
• Cut sandwiches in half and serve. Makes two servings.

Beyond Meat: Yes, You Can Grill That!

Ever since man crawled out of his cave and discovered fire, it seems there has been an obsession with grilling. There is just something about slapping a huge hunk of meat on a set of red-hot metal bars that gets men all worked up - it sure does my husband, at least. The classic stereotypical picture of the man of the house drooling over his grill while the woman of the house is out shopping for shoes certainly can bring on a chuckle.  But then again, the reason this image is funny is because it's often so true - I know it is at our house!

There is, however, more to grilling than just the cave man's hunter instinct. Sometimes the 'gatherer' comes into play.  Let's take a look at a few other things that can be grilled in order to expand the cooking vocabulary of today's domesticated cave man and cave woman.

More than Meat

Flat breads like naan cook great on the grill.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While grilling usually goes hand in hand with sports, summer days, and pool outings, that doesn't mean it has to be the same meal over and over – either chicken, steak, hamburgers, or hotdogs. There are tons of other foods you can grill out that will possibly change your perception of what you can do with your grill.

A good grill can give you all the cooking surfaces you need. From an open flame to a stove top to an oven and rotisserie, grills are the ultimate cooking machine. The sky is the limit when you begin dreaming about your cookout. Meat need not be the focus of your meal when you can also grill your salad, soup, and even dessert!?

Rise to the Occasion

Bread cooked on the grill is light and fluffy while having an irresistible crunchy crust. Indian breads are great to grill, like naan, which is typically cooked in a tandoori oven over an open flame. Pizzas, tortillas, and even cornbread are other great dishes that benefit from the dry heat and smokey flavor from the grill.

Flat breads are the most common breads to throw on the grill since they char easily and cook quickly. Other breads that are common are your artisan styles, like chibatta and focaccia, which are also thinner breads that will cook faster and take on the charred flavor and grilled look.

Grilled bananas on skewers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Savor your Sweet Tooth

Desserts cooked on the grill bring a whole new flavor profile to your favorite sweet treat. Just take pound cake for example. Have you ever considered throwing a slice on the grill? Maybe you should! And after you do that, top it with a warm espresso chocolate drizzle and a hand full of chopped, roasted pistachios. Your preconceived notions of grilled desserts will be forever altered.

If that doesn't get you excited, how about a grilled banana sundae? That's right. Slice a couple bananas in half lengthwise and throw them on the grill. If you want to get a great char on them, coat them first with some orange juice. Create your sundae, throw the grilled bananas on and then top with a little orange zest to bring the flavor full circle.  Now that's flavor even a cave man would love!

Who would have thought you could grill almost anything? All it takes to create a new spin on an old family favorite is a metal rack and some hot embers. Use your imagination and pretty soon you'll be firing up the grill for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and even a midnight snack! :-)

Be sure to check back later this week for some recipes for a few unique grilled treats!

Recipe: Midwest Steak And Shrimp Kabobs

Kabobs are great for the grill, as you can be as creative as you want, mixing and matching different meats, vegetables, and seafood. They're also relatively quick to grill, and it's fun to try different marinades and combinations of foods on the skewers.

Of course you've got to make sure items that are on the same skewer together cook in approximately the same time frame, but if you're grilling foods of various types together, you can also help even out the grilling time by cutting longer-cooking foods in smaller pieces.

This tasty recipe is a twist on the "surf & turf" concept, combining juicy sirloin steak with shrimp and veggies for a whole meal on a stick!

Midwest Steak And Shrimp Kabobs
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 lb medium size shrimp, peeled and deveined, uncooked
1/2 lb boneless sirloin steak, cubed in about 1-inch pieces
16 cherry tomatoes
2 cups medium mushroom caps
1 green bell pepper, cut in chunks

Directions:

• In a 9x13 inch glass baking dish, whisk together the soup mix, soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey; set aside.
• Put on skewers the shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, steak, and green pepper alternating. 
• Set skewers into baking dish with prepared marinade and turn to coat evenly.
• Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, turning several times and re-covering with plastic before returning to refrigerator.
• To prepare: remove skewers from baking pan; save marinade sauce.
• Preheat grill or broiler to medium-hot and cook, turning several times and basting as you go with the reserved marinade sauce.
• You'll know when the kabobs are done when the shrimp has turned pink.
• Remove and serve with a side dish of flavored rice.

Recipe: Simply Citrus Grilled Sirloin

This simple, delicious recipe is perfect for your next barbecue! With only a few simple ingredients, and a hot grill, you can make a delicious steak that your guests will be raving about all summer.

This one's about as easy as it gets - just remember to marinate the night before - then you can have a tasty dinner on the grill in no time!

Simply Citrus Sirloin On The Grill
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 medium lemons, unpeeled, washed and quartered
1 medium orange, unpeeled, washed and quartered
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 minced garlic clove
1 (2-1/2 pound) sirloin steak, thick cut   

Directions:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the lemon and orange wedges in oil for about 8 to 12 minutes or until fragrant, stirring often.
• Add garlic and cook about 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. 
• Place the steak in a shallow glass baking dish and pierce meat evenly with a fork. 
• Pour hot citrus mixture over meat and turn to coat the steak evenly.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning three or four times during the total marinating time. Drain and discard the marinade.
• Set the grill on medium-high heat.  Put steak on direct heat for 3 minutes, turn, leave on for 3 minutes, then turn and put on indirect heat and cover grill and cook for 3 minutes, then turn and cook for 3 minutes more.  Remove, and let rest for 3 minutes.
• Adjust cooking times to reach desired doneness.  This timing should give about a medium-well done steak. For a more rare steak, reduce cooking time.

Home-Grilled vs. Steakhouse Steaks

One of the reasons many people buy a grill is to do one thing and do it well – grill steak.  But, there are times when you think; “Should we go out for steak or should we just grill a couple here?”

Often when this happens, you're tired and hungry already.  So, the discussion ends with everyone getting into the car, driving to a restaurant, paying outrageous prices for simple food, and maybe enjoying it, and maybe not.  Was it worth it?  Could you have cooked the same meal at home and been happier?  Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Steakhouse Steak

Grilled sirloin steak with vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hands down, the best thing about going out to eat is the lack of work it takes before you have food before you. You don't have to figure out what to cook. You don't have to do the prep. You don't have to figure out how to cook it, and most importantly, you don't have to clean up after you are done.

Also, when you go out to eat, you can actually carry on conversations with your friends and family instead of rushing around trying to get everything done. These are nice benefits, indeed.

Of course, while everything is taken care of for you, you will pay for the convenience. It may be easier, but your expenses will probably be at least double what it would cost to get the ingredients and make the exact same meal at home.

An unknown element can also be a detriment to going out to eat.  You don't have control over what kind of day your server or the kitchen staff is having. This could mean long waits, poor service, or even food that isn't quite right. Is the same chef on duty as the last time you had that good steak?  Who knows.

Home-Grilled Steak

Why hope that your steak will come out right when you can take matters into your own hands and create a gourmet meal right at home?  If you long for a tender juicy steak, why not put your own on the grill and have it exactly the way you want, and with less fuss and expense?

Home-grilled steaks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You don't have to sit in a crowded restaurant trying to shout over the people at the table next to you.  You won't get the wrong meal or have anything missed. Grilling out at home gives you all the control without all of the stress and high prices.

Of course, cooking at home means you are tied up in the kitchen and at the grill getting everything ready.  Sometimes this means you are left alone while your family spends time watching the game or conversing in the other room without you.  Then, after all of your hard work, you also get to clean up  the kitchen. So, yes, sitting down to a steak dinner at a restaurant sounds appealing at this point.  But remember the cost and the value for your money.  Is it worth it to really learn how to properly grill a steak at home to skip the whole restaurant thing?

Is There a Clear Winner?

As far as close calls go, the decision between going out to eat or grilling at home is one of the more difficult decisions to make. They both have their pros and cons.  However, there is nothing that can compare to grilling a steak at home. No restaurant meal can compare with the aroma of grilling your own steak, or the feeling you get when you set that perfectly grilled steak on the table and sit down to eat.  I say, save your dinners out for other dishes.  When it comes to steak, throw it on at home!

 Be sure to check back later this week for a couple of simple and delicious grilled steak recipes.

Recipe: Dijon Grilled Catfish

If you live down South, the 4th of July may mean catfish instead of steak, but that doesn't mean you have to work any harder for your meal!

This simple recipe makes a great alternative to regular old burgers for your holiday barbecue this weekend - and it's really quick and easy, so you can get the food grilled fast, and go enjoy the company of your friends and loved ones. (Keep in mind that catfish is a flaky fish, and a grill basket may make things easier for you.)

Have a very Happy 4th of July!

Dijon Grilled Catfish
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

36 ounces catfish fillets
sprinkle salt and pepper to taste
4 tsp olive oil
3 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp black pepper
lemon zest, for garnish if desired   

Directions:

• Oil the grill grates or a fish basket and prepare grill to medium-high heat.
• Rinse fillets, then pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
• In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, and black pepper. Spread this mixture on fillets and rub until covered well.
• When grill is preheated, place fish fillets on grate (or in basket) over indirect heat, cover grill, and cook until fillets are opaque and flake easily.  This should take about 12 to 16 minutes depending on the size or thickness of fillets. Turn once during cooking time.