There’s a whole world out there beyond chicken and steak, and it’s about time you started exploring, with M&F guiding the way, of course. From fruit and vegetables to a whole snapper, the list of foods you can grill is virtually endless, and as men it is our right—nay, our duty—to get as far down that list as possible.
After all, it won’t be long before summer’s over and it’s time to retreat to the kitchen, where you’ve prepared your meals for the past eight months, so take advantage while you can. Gentlemen, it’s time to grill everything.
FRUIT
Often overlooked but always delicious, grilled fruit is incredibly easy to make. It’s a fun way to promote fruit from a boring snack food to an interesting side dish, and a good opportunity to spice up typical grilled fare. Try pairing mango with chicken, or pineapple with beef or pork chops. Grilling partially dehydrates the fruit and caramelizes the sugar, which concentrates and really brings out the flavor.
Fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and figs can be cut in half and grilled facedown, or diced and skewered.
Softer fruits like bananas and mangoes can be cooked with the skin on to maintain their shape. Cook fruit over medium heat on a well-oiled grill and serve it as soon as the grill lines become pronounced.
GRILL TIPS:
- Using your tongs, dip a rolled-up dishcloth in canola oil to prep your grill.
- Cheat day? Sprinkle some brown sugar on fruit before grilling and pair with low-fat yogurt for a killer dessert.
- Grill tongs are longer than kitchen tongs— usually between 13 and 22 inches
PIZZA
If you’ve ever tried to make your own pizza, you probably did it in your kitchen oven. the grill, however, is a far better choice; the open flames mimic the conditions inside a real pizza oven, and the smoke adds complexity to your pie’s flavor. In truth, it’s a tough meal to mess up if you follow our recipe, which is part of what makes grilled pizza a great call when you’ve got people over.
Divvy up the dough and let your friends choose their own toppings and you’ll be a legend in their eyes. Or grill up a couple of pies for yourself with your favorite proteins and toppings and freeze them for when fast-food cravings inevitably attack.
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 oz chicken breast
- Pizza dough (as much as you need)
- ¼ cup wholewheat flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil\
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ tomato, sliced
- 1 cup toppings (mixed peppers, onion, olives, etc.)
- ½ cup low-fat cheese, grated
DIRECTIONS:
1. Grill chicken breast and then cut into pieces of desired size. Set aside.
2. Stretch out dough and, on a floured surface, shape to preferred size and thickness (we recommend about half an inch).
3. Put dough, without toppings, on oiled grill, close lid, and cook two minutes or until lightly browned on the underside.
4. Remove pizza from grill and place grilled side up on nearby surface. Coat the top with olive oil. Spread sauce, then arrange all toppings, adding cheese last.
5. Put pizza back on grill and close lid. You’ll know it’s done when the bottom begins to char and cheese starts bubbling. Let rest a few minutes, then serve.
GRILL TIPS:
- You can find prepared pizza dough in the frozen foods section at your local supermarket and even some pizzerias.
- Your grill should be hot enough that you can hold your hand an inch above it for no longer than two seconds.
- 55 – The percentage increase in the absorption of lycopene, a pigment found in tomatoes when they are heated, according to an Ohio State University study.