As the summer winds down, people are planning their last parties. But no one wants to go to the same, old barbecue with the same, old menu you have been eating all summer. We have some great ideas and some of our favorite grilling recipes from MarthaStewart.com to make it the best menu of the season.
Burgers
If you want a burger that has a richer flavor than usual, get grass-fed beef for a gamier taste or have the butcher grind a beef brisket or chuck roast for more fat that leads to a better taste.
Steak
At the market, ask for one-inch steaks that allow you to get a nice crispy crust with a medium-rare center. You could also play with different types of charcoal or wood chips to add an extra layer of flavor.
Chicken
Try a dry rub on the outside of the chicken instead of the standard barbecue. You could also stay in the bird family, but change things up by grilling duck or even cornish hens.
Vegetables
Grilled or charred vegetables can make a very nice side or addition to a pasta salad. You can even grill romaine or butter lettuce to make simple summer salads.
Bread
Buttered and grilled hot dog or hamburger buns are a great upgrade. Skillet breads are easy to warm on the grill, and Emeril’s cast-iron honey cornbread can be baked in a cast iron skillet on the grill.
Dessert
To upgrade your dessert, try grilling fruits, which brings out a more intense flavor. We like grilled pineapple with coconut sorbet for a more tropical taste. You may also want to let a skillet-cooked mixed-berry grunt cook on the grill while you enjoy the main dish.
Drinks
We like to add frozen fruit skewers for a special zing to cocktails. One of our favorite cocktails is the Grilled Peach Old-Fashioned.
These upgrades will make the last party of the summer the best and most memorable. If your grill or outdoor kitchen needs an upgrade, we have exactly what you need at Friedman’s.
