Summer Grilling Ideas and Recipes Round-up

 

For some reason I always feel as if summer begins the day after 4th of July.  The weather feels warmer and dryer – and most people seem to have vacation on the mind rather than work.  This would be me.

Grilling season is in full swing and even though life feels just a bit more relaxed during the summer, on occasion I still draw a blank when it comes to dinner.  So when the good people over at Personal Creations put together their summer grilling guide they asked if I’d like to contribute to the fun as well.  Here are a few of my recipes, ideas and tips for the summer season.

1. Keep the grilling simple and go big on the salad or sides  – I love to marinate chicken and pork chops in all kinds of vinaigrettes and marinades.  I usually whip up my own vinaigrettes but in a pinch I’ll purchase a simple olive oil based vinaigrette and use it for a marinade.  One of my store bought fave’s is Newman’s Own  Caesar vinaigrette.  It’s one of my old stand by’s for marinating chicken.  It’s quick, easy and allows you the time to create the “big” salad or side.

Another quick and easy option is to whisk together 1 part balsamic vinaigrette with 2 parts olive oil, dash of honey, squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper.  This also makes a lovely marinade for pork chops or chicken.  I recommend letting chicken marinate for at least 4-6 hours and the pork chops for at least 2 hours, refrigerated.

Here are several links to a few of my family’s favorite grilled meats, poultry and fish:

Pancetta and Radicchio Wrapped and Grilled Scallops

Grilled Salmon with a Savory Strawberry Sauce

Yogurt and Pesto Marinated Grilled Chicken

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Chile Lime Chicken Burgers with Fresh Guacamole

Cilantro Salmon

Colombian Chimichurri for Steaks or Seafood

Tuscan Grilled Rib-eye

2. Go Big and Bold with Summer Salads – Summer is the crown jewel of produce.  All the glorious fresh greens, veggies and fruit just beg to be combined into big and bold salads of the season.

Here are a few salads that will get your salad creativity jump started.  Use the recipe as written, or get a little wild and crazy and use the recipes as a guideline for your own creations.

Cucumber Greek Salad

Carrot Cilantro Salad with Pumpkin Seeds and Ginger Peanut Dressing

Arugula and White Bean Salad with a Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mediterranean Cous Cous Salad

Spicy Cabbage Salad

3. Get a little Saucy! – If you’re not a fan of marinated meat, poultry or fish, or you forgot to marinate (that would be me)…  no worries, because there is always a sauce option.  Another great way to grill your fresh meat, fish, poultry and veggies simply – and then pair with a delicious sauce.

Check out my post on:

10 Sizzling Summer Sauces

And just for good measure… here are a few of my blogging friends summer creations!

Grilled Citrus and Chicken Skewers from Pink Patisserie

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad from Alaska From Scratch

Berry Salsa from Taste, Love and Nourish

Plantain Chips with Chorizo, Guacamole and Pickled Jalapeno’s from Everyday Maven

Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love!

Karista