Now that daylight savings time is here and spring is just around the corner, those warmer, brighter evenings are going to mean more time outside. This means people across the country are firing up their grills for some tasty meals. Preparing food on the grill and enjoying it as a family is one of the best ways to have dinner during the warm months, and you can definitely make a lot more than burgers and hot dogs. This year, kick off the grilling season with some of these savory, sweet, and all around delicious recipes.
Smoky Lime Steak: Cook steak for the whole family on a budget, thanks to this delicious recipe that brings together flavors from south of the border. Marinate flank steak, skirt steak, or flat iron steak in a combination of lime juice, chipotles in Adobo sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and black pepper for a few hours before putting it on the grill. When the steak is done, slice it against the grain into thin slices that work perfectly on fajitas.
Classic Grilled Salmon: Because it’s such a dense fish, salmon holds together well on the grill, and you can even grill it on a cedar plank to infuse it with some of that flavor. Marinate the salmon beforehand in soy sauce and brown sugar to get a deliciously salty and sweet glaze that almost crystallizes on the surface of the fish. This is perfect served alongside grilled asparagus or other vegetables.
Eggplant Pita Wraps: Grilling doesn’t have to include meat, so turn to your favorite summer vegetables, like eggplant, for some new recipes. Try grilling slices of thin Asian eggplants and serving them on toasted pita bread with a zesty sauce of peanut butter, vinegar and soy sauce. If you want a more traditional Middle Eastern recipe, try a sauce of yogurt with chopped cucumber, garlic, and mint instead.
Grilled Pizza: If you have kids who are picky eaters, this is one recipe they’ll have a hard time saying no to. Take a classic homemade pizza and pop it on the grill for a delicious smoky flavor and beautiful crust. This is best on a grill without high flames, which could easily burn the dough. Best of all, you can have family members make personal-sized pizza so everyone can have their favorite toppings.
Grilled Peaches: Don’t forget about dessert when you’re grilling! In the summer, grilled fruit makes the perfect conclusion to a meal. After you pull the meat off and wipe off any residue remaining on the grill, cut some peaches in half and put them on the grill, cut side down. You’ll get gorgeous grill marks after about five minutes, when you can flip them over, drizzle some honey over them, and add a dollop of cream cheese where the pit was. Once the cream cheese has softened, they’re ready to eat!
This year, don’t be afraid to experiment with new recipes on the grill. It’s tough to go wrong when you’re cooking these fresh and delicious ingredients, and everybody loves the gorgeous sear on grilled meat, vegetables, and fruit. Let your family and friends tell you which dish they enjoyed most, and you’ll probably be making it all summer!