Great Meals to Cook Outside

Summer is here, and it’s time to take advantage of your beautiful outdoor kitchen! We recently told you how to become a grill master, as grilling is often the highlight of summer cooking. But with an outdoor kitchen, your options are wide open for the types of meals you can prepare. Whether you are cooking for a crowd or just your family, these recipes to cook outside are sure to please.

1. Grilled corn: There are many delicious dishes you can make using grilled corn. Remove the husks and grill the cobs until the kernels are steaming and slightly charred. From there, you can get creative! Instead of just slathering them with plain butter, try making seasoned butter. Add basil, salt, and pepper for a classic summer flavor. Garlic will make delicious and simple garlic butter, while sugar and cinnamon turn the corn into a dessert. Try Ancho chili powder, lime juice, and Cotija cheese to make a variation of Mexican Elote. You could also cut the kernels off after grilling and use them in a grilled corn salad or to make deliciously crispy corn fritters.
2. Kebabs of any kind: You can’t go wrong with skewers stuffed with deliciously seasoned meats and veggies. Grilled shrimp and pineapple kebabs taste like summer on a stick—or remove them from the skewer and try them in a salad or summer taco instead! Steak and chopped onions and bell peppers make for a savory combination, or for a vegetarian skewer, use cauliflower to replace the meat. Glaze your kebabs with whatever flavors suit your fancy: go with honey for a sweeter taste or teriyaki for a delightful combination of sweet and spicy. Balsamic glaze offers a classic summer taste as well.
3. Try a foil packet recipe: For simple and delicious meal options, try a foil packet recipe. You can toss these packets on the grill and allow them to cook without having to keep an eye on them as a steak or kebabs. Cut meat and veggies into cubes, season and marinate them how you want, then wrap them in aluminum foil, so they form small packets. Place them on the grill to cook together, then serve one packet to each person and enjoy. This helps all the flavors and juices of your ingredients combine into a delicious and easy meal. Plus, the foil serves as the plate, so cleanup is easy once the meal is finished.
4. Grill your dessert! Why stop after the main course? Finish your summery outdoor meal with a grilled dessert, such as a grilled pie. Prepare the pie in a foil tin with a frozen fruit center, then place the covered pie tin on your grill. Check it every five minutes to make sure it isn’t burning. After 20 to 30 minutes, your pie will be done – with a deliciously crispy crust. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ideal summer treat. If you love the foil-packet method, try grilled bananas with chocolate and marshmallow for a delightful dessert. Remove the banana peel, slice open the banana, and stuff it with chocolate chips and marshmallows (and any other toppings you want—chopped nuts add a savory element, while crushed graham crackers give it a nice crunchy texture). Wrap up your bananas and grill for just a few minutes until the chocolate and marshmallow have melted.

Being able to cook outside year-round is one of the simple joys of living in the Sarasota area. If you want to add an outdoor kitchen to your backyard, call West Coast Design Build Florida today. We are experts at design and installation and have the inspiration you need!