Celebrate the summer grilling season with this list of unexpected or unusual foods you can throw on the grill that makes a great side with your favorite meats.
Watermelon. Yes, watermelon. Set grill to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice watermelon into triangular shapes or around 2 inches thick. Brush with honey and sprinkle with 5280 Culinary Fire Salt for a little heat or a chili powder. Grill each side of watermelon for approximately two minutes on each side.
Romaine Lettuce. Slightly charred, dark green leafy veggies are the perfect side to accompany those grilled meats. You will want to halve the romaine (hearts and all) down the center. Brush with olive oil, sea salt and pepper to taste. Place on the grill for about three minutes and turn over on the other side. Remove from grill and spread cranberries, pecans and bleu cheese crumbles. Serve with a light vinaigrette dressing.
Pineapple. Pre-heat your grill to medium heat. Slice a fresh pineapple into wedges and in a separate bowl combine one cup of brown sugar, and two teaspoons of ground cinnamon and mix well. Place mixture in a resealable bag and drop in your pineapple. Shake the bag vigorously until the pineapple is coated with sugar. Drop on your grill grate and allow each side to sizzle for around 3-5 minutes.
Strawberries. You will want to skewer your strawberries first. If you are using bamboo skewers be sure and soak them first for about 20 minutes. Set grill to medium heat and set skewered strawberries (make sure you thread them stem to tip) to the side. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 tablespoon honey. Brush strawberries with butter and honey mixture and place on grill for approximately 2-4 minutes on each side.
Pears. Set grill to medium heat. Half your pears and remove the cores. You can peel your pears but it’s best to keep on the skin to keep the juices and flavors intact. Brush with light oil and place on grill for around 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream.
Need some additional inspiration for the right recipes for meats? Check out our blog on 7 easy and quick recipes.
