Epic Grilling Wins: Be Afraid!

Oysters, avocados, pizza, ice cream, Pop-Tarts, cocktails -- we're throwing it all on the grill.  Try out these epic grillers at your next party...

Epic Grilling Wins -- Round I

1) Grilled Oysters

Simple and a potent aphrodisiac as well (watch out!).  These Grilled Oysters with Fennel Butter are going to drive you nuts -- in a good way.

2) Grilled Spam and Pineapple Skewers 

It's like Hawaiian pizza without all the pizza hassle.  Cube your Spam and fresh pineapple into similar-sized pieces for even heating.  It's a cookout instant classic...particularly if you're having a luau.

Photo:  The Spam Fan

3) Grilled Pop-Tarts

Nothing says 'warm and delicious breakfast' like taking a frosted Pop-Tart and throwing it on the grill.  Better yet, grill two -- frosting side up -- for about 2 minutes and then sandwich them around a scoop of ice cream (and tell your neighbors to get over it).

This is a deep-fried Pop-Tart which has no bearing on this post but is worth closer examination if you are hitting the State Fair Circuit this summer.

4) Grilled Fresh Fruit ala mode

This grilled dessert could only be easier if someone fed it to you...

You can also halve citrus like limes or oranges, sprinkle the cut halves with sugar and caramelize on the grill for a minute or two...sugar side down.  These make great, natural condiments to squeeze over grilled meats or chicken.  Watch Spike do that technique over steak here.

5) Rugged Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich al fresco

How about a REAL grilled ham and cheese?  Start with an actual ham steak and locate a loaf of your favorite bread -- Texas Toast is a great choice here. 

Once the ham steaks have some good heat and grill marks, assemble with the bread and cheese and warm until you have gooey melted cheese.  Brush a little butter or olive oil on the outside of the bread before you toss it on.

6) Grilled Ice Cream Sandwiches

The music in this video is out of control and you can use any ice cream you want, but you get the gist.  Instead of Texas Toast, swap in thick slices of challah, brioche or even Portuguese sweet bread.

7) Grilled Stuffed Chocolate Banana S'mores

Slit a large, ripe banana in half on a sheet of aluminum foil.  Add in pieces of broken-up chocolate bar or Hershey's Kisses along with mini-marshmallows.  Grill on the foil for 3 - 5 minutes or until the banana warms, and everything else melts.  You can use sprinkle crushed graham crackers on top or use a graham cracker as a utensil to eat.

Grilled Bananas -- Variation II:  Throw whole, regular bananas on the grill for 5 - 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and slit open carefully (hot).  Drizzle the interior with condensed milk and sprinkle with cinnamon for a quick dessert.

8) Pick Your Own Toppings Grilled Pizza

Have a bunch of friends who can't decide they want?  Kick everyone out of the kitchen, prepare a bunch of toppings and start grilling up some pizzas...

9) Grilled Cactus

Pick up small, tender cactus pads from a specialty market.  Use a vegetable peeler to remove the needles and skin.  A final pass with a vegetable brush afterwards helps to remove any lingering pieces.  Brush lightly with oil and cook for 10 minutes per side.  Serve the grill cactus with a combination of lime and butter.

10) Grilled Quesadillas

Grilled Quesadillas are a super easy out for a cookout.  Buy a bunch of tortillas and prep some bowls with your favorite fixings and toppings.  Crumbled sausage, cilantro, diced veggies, shredded cheese, tequila chicken, sour cream -- you name it. 

Drop a tortilla on the grill for about a minute on each side -- flipping with long tongs.  Move the tortillas to the warming rack above and add your cheeses, cooked meats and vegetables until the cheese melts and the toppings warm.  Remove from the heat, fold in half, cut with a pizza roller and voila.  Top with cold condiments and herbs like sour cream, guacamole and cilantro.

Need a little inspiration?  Check out this super cheesy quesadilla recipe.

11) Grilled French Toast

Break away from the range.  Make a traditional French Toast with Maple Pecan Syrup on the grill for a more intricate flavor.  Like it stuffed?  Before you put two egg-washed slices on the heat, create a sandwich of jam and cream cheese and then grill.  If you prefer savory, you can add sliced ham, turkey and Swiss cheese instead and make a grilled Monte Cristo sandwich.

12) Southwest Grilled Avocados

Check out this creamy, rich decadent side -- straight out of the Southwest.

13) Coconut Grilled Pineapple

A simple, fresh way to drop your cookout in the tropics.

Or take the grilled pineapple and sandwich it around ice cream:

14) Grilling Cocktails

Make your favorite sweet or herbal summer cocktail and use it to tenderize and marinade your chicken or steak.  Great 'grilling cocktail' choices here are margaritas, mojitos, tequila & lime or sangria.