Cooking on your outdoor grill doesn’t mean just the usual routine of hot dogs and hamburgers. While those old stand-bys are certainly easy, if you use a little creativity you can find ways to fix a variety of foods on your gas, electric, or charcoal grill.
Grilled fish
Fish cooked on the grill is healthy and delicious, and if you cook it in a foil packet, clean up is a breeze. Simply put a filet in some foil along with lemon juice and fresh herbs, then seal the foil packet and place it on the grill. Cook until the fish is done and throw out the mess. Salmon cooked on the grill is a wonderful addition to a salad for a light, healthy meal.
Grilled vegetables
Grilling vegetables is easy, too. Try chopping eggplant, potatoes, peppers, or any in-season vegetable and marinating them in some lemon juice and olive oil, salt and pepper. Coat the grill with non-stick spray before you start cooking and then add the vegetables and cook until done. You might want to experiment with direct or indirect heat in order to determine what works best for your grill.
You can even cook corn on the cob right on the grill. Leave the husks on but remove the silk. Soak the corn in water for about a half hour and then place the entire ear on the grill for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with butter and salt for a taste you just cannot get by boiling corn.
You can make a healthy version of the French fry right on your grill. Use either a skillet specifically designed for grilling or an old metal baking pan sprayed with non-cook cooking spray. Put thin strips or wedges of raw potato in the pan with your favorite seasonings and grill until they are tender.
Grilled pizza?
Pizza on the grill can be much tastier than oven-cooked pizza. The trick is to work quickly since pizza dough on the grill will begin to get crispy right away. Carefully place your rolled-out dough on a grill that has been coated in olive oil, and brown it on both sides. Put on a layer of tomato sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings for a healthy twist on an old favorite.
And dessert
You can even cook dessert on your outdoor grill. Canned sliced pineapple put on the grill until heated through makes for a light, different dessert. Sprinkle the pineapple rings with nuts, cocoanut, or other toppings and serve with frozen yogurt.
Think beyond the old stand-bys when it comes to grilling outdoors. Break out of your grilling routine and enjoy different menus all summer long.