Grilling Tips for Summer

     With the coming of warmer weather comes the inner drive to cook outdoors!  Luckily for me I am married to "The Grill Master"!  We love to fire up the grill every weekend, fill it with varying lean protein and then use it for quick healthy dinners thru the week!  It's so easy to add a side salad and vegetable for a well balanced dinner (and clean up is a breeze).  Having the good fortune to have a new Whole Foods Market right here in Wichita "ain't bad neither".  They have great selections of meat and seafood with very high quality standards in their offerings.  And if you are looking for fruit or veggies to throw on the grill, you can pick that up there too!  Have you tried a Vegetable Kabob lately!?  #yum  In the spirit of the season I have offered a few grilling tips for you to enjoy.  Once you master the art of grilling, it will open up a whole new world of culinary pleasures!  Summer fun has just begun!  :)

Grilling tips:

    Meats:

·         Use direct heat for sausages, chops, steaks and hamburgers

·         Start sausage off on high heat to get a really nice char on the outside, then move sausage to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking through

·         Chicken that is cooked enough will feel springy when pressed. If you're uncertain, cut into the thickest part of one piece. The meat should still be juicy, but the juices should be clear, never reddish.

Fruits & Veggies:

·         Use a light brushing of canola oil on vegetables and fruits to help prevent sticking. The use of a non-stick grate or foil packets lightly coated with oil can also be helpful; a delicious Italian dressing also makes a great marinade

·         Some veggies (including artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, potatoes and winter squash) can be pre-cooked to shorten grilling time and ensure that the inside and outside cook evenly

Disclaimer: I am a Whole Foods Market Blogger Ambassador and this post was inspired by their monthly themes and gift cards received to purchase ingredients for posts of my choosing. I am not compensated by Whole Foods Market for my blog posts and am free to post whatever I see fit to my own blog.