What’s on the grill tonight? The likely answer is steaks, hot dogs or hamburgers – but that doesn’t have to be the end of it. Side dishes, veggies and even fruits are delicious when cooked on the grill.
Preparing the grill
Don’t just light the grill and throw on the food – you’ll regret it. First, before lighting the grill, make sure that you have enough in the fuel tank. You don’t want to run out in the middle of cooking. You also don’t want to be running to the kitchen and back over and over again so make sure your outdoor kitchen is stocked and prepared with everything from cooking utensils to seasonings.
Now that your outdoor kitchen is stocked and prepared, it’s time to get the grill going. With your Blaze Grill, don’t forget to remove the rotisserie kit and warming rack if you don’t plan to use them. Now, preheat your Blaze Grill by turning all burners on high with the hood closed for 15-20 minutes. Then, set controls to the desired temperature. While waiting for the grill to fully preheat, rub the cooking grids with an oiled wad of paper towels.
Tips for grilling vegetables
Do you have an issue getting your kids to eat their vegetables? Throw them on the grill and you might have a better chance – grilling vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower give them a sweeter, milder flavor. If time is an issue with grilling vegetables, consider peeling the stems of broccoli and asparagus to speed up the process.
If okra is what you want, there is no better way to cook it than grilling it. When you grill okra, it cooks quickly and the result is less slimy than other cooking methods for okra.
Potatoes are a popular side dish for cookouts – so cook it on the grill, too. For perfectly grilled potatoes, cove with salt, pierce the potato multiple times and then wrap it in tin foil. Cook it at medium heat for about an hour.
When grilling veggies, decide if you want them crunchy or soft. For crunchier veggies, keep the lid open. For softer veggies, close the lid.
Finally, for perfectly grilled corn, soak them in brine for one hour.
Tips for grilling fruits
While there aren’t as many options for grilling fruits as there are with vegetables, fruits on the grill offer a unique – and delicious – flavor. Peaches, apples and bananas are the best fruits to grill. For a simple recipe, brush the fruits with butter. For something a little fancier, top the grilled fruit with chocolate, cane syrup, caramel or whatever your heart desires.
Quick tips to consider
Always have a bottle of brandy on hand because it goes great with practically everything – plus it’s cheap and shelf-stable making it a better option than the alternatives.
Is your recipe stuffed? Enhance the flavor of the stuffing by roasting some – or all – of the ingredients.
Finally, anything cooked for more than 25 minutes should be cooked using indirect heat. If you use direct heat, it’s more likely to burn or char.
The next time you decide to grill, don’t forget the fruits and vegetables. The flavors are unbeatable. It’s time to try something new on the grill – you’ll never know what you’re missing until you try it!
