Art of Diet

Health and Diet - Grilling Isn't Just For Meat

By Robert Britt  

To me the perfect summer afternoon includes cooking out on the grill. Most people start out with either the charcoal or sparking the gas. Either option is alright with me. I think the charcoal adds a nice flavor, but you can't beat the ease of a gas grill. So what's cooking today? I love to get a really nice couple filet mignons and sear the surfaces and get that lovely looking diamond shaped brand, while keeping the inside pink and moist. But what really tops a meal is the side dishes, and those can be prepared right on the grill as well.

Lots of people will wrap up a couple potatoes in foil and those are definitely delicious, but how about some other veggies or even, gasp, some fruit. The best option for veggie is to get one of those baskets that sit on top of the grill grates. That way you aren't losing pieces into the fire. That's a double whammy because it can screw up the burners on a gas grill, but mainly because you are losing food. That's no good at all. I bought a nice stainless steel basket for only a few bucks at Marshall's a couple years ago, and it still is holding up nicely. It's perfect for sliced peppers, onions and mushrooms. Those are perfect toppings for that filet.

But here comes the out-of-the-box thinking. Have you ever thrown an orange or a pine apple slice onto your grill? This may sound counter-intuitive, but fruit takes on a whole new dimension on the grill. You still maintain that juicy sweet taste, and you get all the anti-oxidants and nutritional value, but the surprise is that the flame broiling brings out the flavor of the fruit and the natural sugars can become caramelized. This pretty much turns the fruit into an amazing dessert.

So what have we learned here? The grill isn't just for that main course. You can get the meat, potatoes, veggies and dessert all on one cooking surface and (here's a bonus) save on clean up time. Less dishes means more time to relax and enjoy yourself in the months and years ahead. Don't limit yourself to meat and don't limit yourself to summer. If you are a brave and hardy soul you can grill all year round. (In the winter those oven mitts can do double duty.) Life just doesn't get much better than relaxing on your deck and enjoying the smell and taste of a back yard barbecue.

The right food choices will make a huge impact on your quest for better health.
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