Cooking on the Grill

Summertime is here. Time for preparing meals without heating the house when possible. The social distancing imposed by the pandemic limits our dining options in many ways. Now’s a great time to consider the value of cooking on the grill.

Cooking on the grill keeps the heat of cooking outside the home and brings the family together for the entire cooking process. From seasoning to marinating to separating and ‘packaging,’ it easily turns into a multiple person task. And while many men make excellent ‘indoor’ cooks, there is some truth that men are more inclined to labor over a hot grill than a hot stove. Another plus: most of the mess of cooking on the grill remains outside your kitchen. Major bonus, that one.

Grilling – A Family Affair

For those with an under-10 subset, cooking on the grill is also a great way to get the kids involved in the meal preparation and cleanup process. Disposable plates are ideal when grill cooking and dining al fresco. There will still be the usual ‘family living’ fights over the ‘picnic table,’ but a large degree of stress is avoided when mealtime ends. With the kids pitching in, dealing with the disposable cups/plates, there’s no worrying about broken dishes or washing dishes.  can rest fairly certain that the animals will take care of anything that gets left behind.

Smaller children can help by bringing utensils to the grill, setting the ‘picnic’ table with the disposable dinnerware for your grilling experience. If grilling’s going to a regular thing, consider investing in some portable and ‘kid friendly’ containers for condiments, napkins, plastic ware, etc. These containers should be sturdy, too, able to withstand a decent gust of wind. Sturdy translates as a little heavier for the little ones to carry, but they won’t be as difficult to catch tumbling with the wind across the lawn.

Grilling Smorgasbord

Cooking on the grill offers opportunity to enjoy nature after a long day of work. Be it trees viewed from a wooden deck or views of life from a fire escape or balcony. Don’t limit grilling to a weekend affair. Grilling midweek employs relaxing qualities lifting a midweek slump. One thing grilling: the selections are almost as limitless as when cooking on the stove. From carnivores to vegetarians to pescatarians to vegans, something in those menu categories can be grilled. With some imagination used for maximum effect, few meats and vegetables are truly off the cooking grate when it comes to grilling.

Besides meats, keep in mind: all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables cook well on the grill, too. Pineapple is especially tasty with a bit of char. And don’t forget to ‘accessorize’ your meal with side dishes that pair well with grilled foods: garden salad, baked beans, potato salad, and nice chilled deserts.

Just Grill It

Cooking on the grill is perfect for bringing family and friends together. When social distancing restrictions are lifted, plan a get together with a night of cooking on the grill. Indoor grills multiply the number of venues. Grilling combines the best of casual get togethers, with easy cleanup and creative, flavorful food with good friends and family. Little quite compares to the aroma of meat, fruit, and vegetables grilling over charcoal (or its equivalent). Gas grills, charcoal grills, hibachis, electric, or stovetop: the barbecue experience creates an old-fashioned atmosphere of food and fun.

However, cooking on the grill should be an experience, not a chore. Most welcome the thought of a good dinner under the sun (or stars). If it’s been some time since you’ve attempted grilling, dust off (or pull out) the grill and refresh … your taste buds.

Book four (title TBD) takes place during the summer. With all this grilling talk, I’m thinking a barbeque gathering will play just fine for one of the tension scenes …

Until next time, stay serif—and stay safe/well.