Get Grilling for National Barbecue Month

Time to fire up the grill in celebration of National Barbecue Month! The weather is finally getting drier and the temperature is getting higher, making now the perfect time to get outside and get the grill going.

The word barbecue probably conjures up an image of hot dogs and hamburgers, however there are many wonderful foods that you can make on the grill. From roasted vegetable medleys to stuffed peppers, the possibilities are endless. A standard BBQ can reach a temperature of over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning that you can make almost the same foods on the grill that you would make in the oven.

Perfect BBQ Approved Options

Looking for fun ways to spice up your BBQ and “traditional” burgers and hotdogs? Look no further than right here!

• Vegetable and Tofu Kebab– use a wood skewer and alternate between vegetable of your choice (onion, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, etc) and slices of firm/extra-firm tofu! This will make for a fun kebab!

• Veggie Burger– feel free to pick up the pre-made frozen vegetable patties at your grocery store, but don’t be afraid to make your own at home as well. You can choose between making a black bean, sweet potato, or vegetable mix patties!

Need a recipe for a bean burger? Look no further than my new cookbook, Enjoying Food Peace!

• Tofu Dogs – you can buy tofu “franks” and cook them similarly to how you would hot dogs. Top with pickles and sauerkraut for a delicious twist on the typical hot dog.

• Portobello Burger – roast a slice of portobello mushroom on the grill, melt a slice of provolone on top and, viola, you have the perfect meat-free burger! YUM!

The options are really endless when it comes to cooking food on the grill. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun!

Homemade “BBQ” Pizza

Did you know that you can make your own pizza on the grill?? Pizza made on a barbecue is a great out of the box food that can be ready in a few minutes on a hot grill.

Follow the steps below for a tasty slice that will fill you up:

1. Turn on the grill to heat it up to a temperature of about 400°F.
2. Stretch out a premade pizza dough to the desired thickness you would like for your pizza and lightly coat one side with olive oil.
3. Place the sauce and cheese, and other various toppings you would like in bowls that will be easy to access near the grill.
4. Once the grill is heated, place the oiled side of the pizza face down on the grill and cook until lightly browned. While it’s cooking, lightly coat the dough that is faceup with olive oil.
5. Flip the dough over and coat the lightly browned dough with pizza sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you desire.
6. Close the lid on the grill and cook until the cheese is melted, checking after three minutes to make sure the dough is not burning.
7. Once cooked, take off the grill and allow a few minutes to cool before serving.

Whether it be a charcoal grill or a gas grill, there is something about food made on a barbecue that just makes it taste better. While you may think meat and barbecuing go hand-in-hand, there are numerous vegetarian foods that you can cook on the grill.

Your turn to action:What is your favorite food to cook on the barbecue? Let me know in the comments below.

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