Grill Season
Dust off your lawn chairs and break out the bug spray. Just when you were convinced that winter would never end, summer is here! And if your allergies haven’t clued you in, then your bug bites will! Grilling season is that lovely time of year when people enjoy cooking outside, eating outside, and just being outside in general. That, my friends, means we have much to do and much to prepare for a season of outdoor cooking.
In some ways, outdoor entertaining is a lot easier than eating indoors. Quicker clean-up and less prep time certainly make for a more relaxed kind of entertaining. Even so, since we spend most of the year dining inside, sometimes we need a little help shifting gears. Here are some quick tips to help you make the most of your outdoor summer entertaining.
Prepare your equipment. Plan ahead and make sure last year’s grilling equipment is in check: propane tank filled, fresh briquettes if using charcoal, good long tongs for safe grilling, steel brushes for brushing and cleaning grates. A small side table (or stacking tray) is helpful to have next to your grill for extra work space.
Keep the critters away. Nothing is more bothersome and unappetizing than trying to enjoy a meal while you’re being bothered by bugs. Prepare ahead and get candles made from real citronella oil. Place them along the perimeter of your patio for extra protection and light them a half-hour before the guests arrive. Try not to place candles too close to food as the scents can be distracting. It’s probably not a bad idea to set some bee traps as well.
Nothing says summer like color. Choose bold colors, a mix of stripes, patterns, and bright solids for all of your linens and serving needs.
Designate a storage space for all your outdoor entertaining paraphernalia: tablecloths, placemats, caddies, etc. Entertaining is way easier when you don’t have to go looking for all those items in 15 different places.
Develop a theme: whether it’s a Mexican fiesta or a down-home Southern BBQ, picking a theme for the menu and even decorations liven up any party. Make it fun for you and your guests.
Simple desserts: Give yourself a break and keep it casual with simple yet delicious desserts. Grilled slices of pineapple or peach halves are remarkable, especially topped with pareve ice-cream or sorbet. Chocolate fondue is quite simple to prepare and always a crowd-pleaser surrounded by an array of banana chunks, strawberries, dried fruits, pretzel rods, or cubes of pound cake for dipping. Don’t forget the skewers; they are easier for dipping than toothpicks!
Pick easy and flavorful recipes that will allow you to enjoy your time outdoors as well! The following recipe is a great place to start. Now, let the grilling begin!
{Grilled Vanilla-Rum Glazed Pineapple
Delicious by itself, spectacularly topped with vanilla ice-cream! This recipe will also work with ripe peaches, pitted and halved.
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1 ripe pineapple, trimmed and sliced into 8-10 even half-inch rounds
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup dark rum
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Mix together brown sugar, rum, lime zest, cinnamon, and vanilla until well blended. Marinate pineapple slices in mixture for one hour, turning to coat once in a while.
Preheat grill to high. Oil the grill grates (using oil-soaked paper towels and tongs works well). Remove pineapple slices from marinade (reserve marinade).
Grill pineapple slices, about 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with reserved marinade to create a sticky glaze.
Remove from grill and drizzle a little of the remaining marinade on top of pineapple slices. Serve hot or warm!
Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY. She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration. Her first cookbook, The Giving Table, was released in December 2022. Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram/FB/TikTok or visit NaomiRossCooks.com.
