5 Impressive and Unusual Grill Recipes
When summer rolls around, cooking in the kitchen becomes more of a dreaded chore than an enjoyable way to unwind after work. That’s when it’s time to take the cooking outdoors. Fire up the grill this summer and try one of these inventive, unusual recipes. The results are much more impressive than your typical burger.
1. Tequila-Grilled Shrimp [Martha Stewart]
You don’t need to add a cocktail to the dinner menu to incorporate the perfect summertime booze; just make this tequila-dressed shrimp. With the added tang of lime juice and sweetness of orange juice, and just a dash of salt and pepper, the tequila shrimp emanates a summery flavor with every single bite. Whip all the ingredients together, toss your shrimp in the mixture, and then throw the seafood on the grill for five or six minutes. Add jalapeno on top and you’re ready to serve.
2. Grilled Spicy Citrus Ribs [Simply Recipes]
If you marinate ribs in a citrusy brine of orange, lime, and lemon juice with salt, thyme, and red pepper, you create a barrier that protects against overcooking the pork. The brine adds enough moisture to keep the ribs tender even if you grill them for just a bit too long. After marinating the ribs, stick them on the grill for 45 minutes to 90 minutes (depending on the size of the ribs) and smother them with a house-crafted barbecue glaze.
3. Grilled Romaine Lettuce [The Grillin’ Fools]
There’s an easy way to add some flavor to crisp lettuce leaves, and it doesn’t involved loading them up with extra calories. This recipe for grilled romaine lettuce requires you to slice hearts of romaine right down the middle, and then coat both sides of each half with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Drizzle olive oil and Romano cheese over the hearts of romaine, and then load them onto the grill for just a few minutes, until they take on a beautiful char.
4. Corn on the Cob [Food & Wine]
Corn on the cob is another veggie that tastes delicious fresh from the grill. This recipe involves seasoning fresh corn with coarse smoked salt, hot smoked paprika, coarse black pepper, and finally simple kosher salt. With the addition of orange zest and just a bit of butter for serving, these grilled treats are the perfect addition to any summer barbecue.
5. Warm Plums with Gelato [Food Network]
Even dessert can come piping-hot from the grill if you’re willing to think outside the box a bit. That’s precisely what this recipe from the Food Network does. Instead of serving the typical ice cream or apple pie at your next summertime gathering, get mouths watering with the promise of plump, juicy plums striped across with grill lines. This simple dessert only requires the chef to halve and pit the plums, smother them with butter and cinnamon, then grill for about three minutes per side. For an even more decadent sweet, add a dollop of hazelnut gelato and some chopped, toasted hazelnuts on top.