We love it when warmer weather rolls, around and we can plan to cook more of our meals on the grill. Of course, in some climates you can grill year-round, but what makes grilling so fantastic in summer is getting to use all the wonderful ingredients that are in season. It also lets you forgo using the oven and therefore heating up your kitchen even more. Depending on the proteins and/or vegetables you use, it can be a quick and efficient cooking method that fits right into our Feeding Your Family System. Since there are endless resources on the mechanics of grilling available, we will dive straight into some ideas and tips on how to use grilling in your meal planning:
- As with just about anything in the kitchen, grilling gets easier the more you do it. You will develop a better idea of how long it takes to get the grill started, how much preparation you have to do to gather all the necessary tools, and how long it will take to cook various proteins or vegetables.
- Consider how you can use the grill to cook as many elements of your meal as you can. You can cook your protein first and while it rests after cooking, you can grill veggies or partially cooked cut-up potatoes. Even a simple dessert of grilled fruit can complete the meal.
- Use the grill for double-batch cooking. As you plan what to grill, double the recipe so you have cooked leftovers to freeze for another meal. If there is a sale on chicken or meat at the store, consider buying double the amount to cook up. (Reminder – do not freeze any proteins that have been frozen previously.)
- Once you get the grill started, gather all your tools on a large tray or baking sheet for easy transportation to the grill. Have your grill scraper, tongs, meat thermometer, oil to season the grates, clean platter for cooked foods, basting brushes, etcetera right at hand.
- Bring any meats you are cooking to room temperature before grilling. Usually leaving something out about a half hour before cooking works – you can do this while the grill heats up.
- Find marinades, spice rubs, and sauces that you use consistently and keep these summer pantry staples on your summer grocery list. For example, ginger, garlic, lemons, limes, and fresh herbs are all grilling basics to have on hand.
- Most marinades, rubs, and sauces can be made ahead of time. Consider mixing ingredients the night before to give you a head start on meal preparation.
Happy grilling!
