| July is National Grilling Month, and what better way to | | | | from falling through the grates and into the coals. |
| celebrate than to invite friends and family over for a | | | | Onions. These delicious vegetables should be grilled |
| low-key backyard barbecue this summer. Grilling | | | | slightly differently. Cut your onion into one-half inch |
| makes food preparation easy and clean-up a snap. | | | | sections, then skewer them all the way through with a |
| But how can you make your menu flavorful yet | | | | bamboo skewer. The skewered onion slices remain |
| unexpected? Think beyond hamburgers, hot dogs and | | | | intact and can be flipped easily with tongs. |
| filets this month and prepare some not-so-typical | | | | Shrimp. Crustaceans are delicious and easy to |
| foods that are sure to please tastebuds of all ages. | | | | prepare. It's best to butterfly the shrimp as it helps the |
| Salad. Yes, that's right - mixed greens are great slightly | | | | marinade to penetrate the meat. Skewering the shrimp |
| grilled when prepared as a delicious grilled salad. This is | | | | head to tail on a skewer makes a more compact |
| a very quick grilling session - simply quarter bibb lettuce | | | | mass, which allows the shrimp to stay on the grill |
| and grill each side for one minute each. Remove from | | | | longer without drying it out. This method allows for a |
| the heat and set aside. Experiment with your favorite | | | | decent grill mark on the shrimp as well. A flat, metal |
| vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, | | | | skewer works the best with shrimp, however, if you |
| squash, or even Portobello mushrooms. The key is to | | | | do use bamboo skewers, be sure to soak the |
| just grill long enough so there are grill marks and they | | | | skewers in water for at least two hours. |
| are slightly warm. Serve on a chilled plate. You can | | | | Steaks. So if you do decide to go traditional and |
| even grill small pieces of bread that in turn can be cut | | | | prepare steaks for your guests, finish them over |
| into homemade croutons. | | | | indirect heat prevent charring. Place coals on one half |
| Pizza. You can use frozen or fresh pizza dough and | | | | of the grill, and leave the other side empty to create |
| roll your own out, or you can buy flatbread at your | | | | two heat levels. Sear your steak on the hot side. Finish |
| local bakery or grocery store. If you use fresh dough, | | | | steaks on the cool side and close the lid to trap heat. |
| grill first, then top with marinara sauce, or olive oil and | | | | Dessert. What better way to continue grilling into the |
| cheese, roasted artichokes, or tapenade. Any | | | | final course? Choose items that are not only tasty, but |
| ingredients your heart desires. If using flatbread, heat | | | | will do well over an open flame. There are variations |
| grill, toast crust then put to side of grill not under direct | | | | of s'more recipes or even fruit desserts that can be |
| heat and close lid to finish cooking toppings and/or melt | | | | adapted for the grill. |
| cheese. | | | | Grilling unique food items for your next summer bash is |
| Delicate vegetables. When grilling smaller vegetables | | | | a great way to expand your repertoire and give your |
| such as mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, small squash | | | | guests something to remember this summer as |
| blossoms and asparagus, place a cooling rack onto the | | | | memories are made for a lifetime with friends and |
| grates of the grill, heat for five minutes and then rub | | | | family. |
| with olive oil. Small grates keep these small vegetables | | | | |