Mediterranean Grilling - Going Beyond the Norm
August 15th 2008 13:46
In the United States, grilling is a standard thing. Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, steaks ... you get the idea. Meat, meat, and more meat.
But a few days ago, I watched Mario Batali use the grill to make tasty Italian dishes - like focacia bread and Mortadella stuffed with goat cheese. I've seen people like Bobby Flay grill pizza in the past. Me - I've even shaken things up and grilled vegetables and bananas.
So why are we so quick to under utilize such a versatile cooking implement? Yes, grilling things like pizza may not be as easy as throwing a steak on the grill and letting the fire work it's magic, but grilling makes everything taste better, not just a hamburger.
I've given it some thought and compiled a list of ways you can use the grill to do something other than cook a hot dog. I've done some of them, imagined some of them, and definitely can't wait to move beyond the standards. I am one of those who has let creativity fall by the wayside when grilling.
* Souvlaki is a standard Greek meat dish that works well on the grill - marinate the meat in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper and place on skewers with peppers and onions
* Place olives in an aluminum foil packet with orange peel, red pepper, and oregano and grill slightly off the heat.
* Make an aluminum foil packet with vegetables such as broccoli florets and summer squash. Season with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
* Brush pizza dough on the bottom liberally with olive oil. Build the pizza as usual but instead of baking it, put it on the grill.
* Instead of baking your foccacia bread, put it on the grill!
But a few days ago, I watched Mario Batali use the grill to make tasty Italian dishes - like focacia bread and Mortadella stuffed with goat cheese. I've seen people like Bobby Flay grill pizza in the past. Me - I've even shaken things up and grilled vegetables and bananas.
So why are we so quick to under utilize such a versatile cooking implement? Yes, grilling things like pizza may not be as easy as throwing a steak on the grill and letting the fire work it's magic, but grilling makes everything taste better, not just a hamburger.
I've given it some thought and compiled a list of ways you can use the grill to do something other than cook a hot dog. I've done some of them, imagined some of them, and definitely can't wait to move beyond the standards. I am one of those who has let creativity fall by the wayside when grilling.
* Souvlaki is a standard Greek meat dish that works well on the grill - marinate the meat in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper and place on skewers with peppers and onions
* Place olives in an aluminum foil packet with orange peel, red pepper, and oregano and grill slightly off the heat.
* Make an aluminum foil packet with vegetables such as broccoli florets and summer squash. Season with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
* Brush pizza dough on the bottom liberally with olive oil. Build the pizza as usual but instead of baking it, put it on the grill.
* Instead of baking your foccacia bread, put it on the grill!
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Comment by Jenn Hollowell
Comment by Katherine Huether
Mangia Mediterranean