Grilling 101: Tips for the Novice Griller

By Sarah Zaug
Talented Wedge Shopper

It's the end of another workday and you're looking forward to relaxing at home. However, you still have one task to complete - deciding what's for dinner. You're tired, don't have a lot of time and certainly don't want to turn on your stove, since your house is hot enough in the summer heat. Not to worry! Here are some great, tasty and fast foods for the grill.

Fish

Salmon, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Halibut, Snapper & Tilapia are great options that are easy to grill. With flaky fish such as the Snapper and Tilapia, you'll want to lightly oil and wrap them in foil before placing on the grill. Fish with skin (Salmon, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Halibut) are sturdy enough to go without foil (make sure the grill is lightly oiled) and pick up that great grilled flavor. To cook the fish correctly, use the guideline of 10 minutes per inch of thickness. The Halibut and Tilapia pair nicely with fresh, steamed green beans and a bit of rice pilaf (try the Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf from Near East, available in Aisle 3). Salmon is a bit heavier, so try it on a bed of mixed greens with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette - quite refreshing.

Hamburgers

The classic burger is another easy option, especially if you have kids, and can be spiced and seasoned to your liking. Include a small amount of seasonings when mixing Country Natural Beef hamburger (try Chili Blend Powder, Cajun Seasoning, Spike Seasoning or Italian Seasoning, all available in Aisle 6) and keep in mind a little may go a long way. Not into seasoning? Brush a burger patty with olive oil and some balsamic vinaigrette for flavor.

Burgers are great opportunities to test out new cheeses, too. Try a cheeseburger with Pepper Jack or Beemster Aged Dutch cheese. Place the burger on a whole-wheat bun from our bakery and top with an heirloom tomato and you've got a great meal. Additionally, if using our grass-fed beef, you're getting your Omega-3s, too.

Sausages & Brats

The large variety of sausages that are available at the Wedge will likely take you all summer (as well as the next!) to try. Some of the selections offered include Chicken, Pork, Turkey and Bison. Spice levels and ingredients vary, and many are handmade right here at the Wedge. Popular selections include: Chicken, Spinach & Feta Sausage, Pork Hot Italian Sausage and Bison Shallot & Garlic. Although these sausages are grill-ready, it's recommended to boil the sausages in water for about 10 minutes before placing on the grill.

Veggies

Meat is not the only item for the grill this summer. Vegetables are delicious when grilled and the variety of tastes and textures are endless. Veggies can be skewered, placed in a grill basket or just put over the open flame. It's important to keep an eye on the vegetables as they can cook fast and may need to be turned or stirred.

Some good vegetables for skewering on the grill are green and red peppers, red and gold potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and summer squash. It's a good idea to parboil (boil 2 or 3 minutes) the tougher items such as potatoes and summer squash prior to grilling so they'll cook thoroughly. Asparagus, carrots, and snow peas, although tough to skewer, turn out well in a grill basket.

For a taste kick, marinate the vegetables for 20-30 minutes before grilling and brush with the marinade periodically while cooking (I recommend the Spicy Ginger or Smoky Tomato marinade from Annie's in Aisle three - nice and simple). Alternatively, you can just brush the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle on a seasoning before cooking. Grilling vegetables is another way to enjoy the summer's bounty in an unconventional way.