Get Grilling This July (Plus 5 Barbeque Ideas!)

Did you know that July is National Grilling Month? While many things are different this summer, one thing you can still enjoy is barbequing in your backyard!

When you think of grilling, hotdogs and hamburgers are probably the first things that comes to mind. However, after a few nights, these foods can become a bit boring. That is why I came up with some great alternatives to spice up your typical barbeque.

5 Great Grill Ideas

Almost any food tastes better when it is on the open flame, even fruit! Put away the hot dogs and hamburgers and try something new. Or spice up your typical burger with an innovative topping. Here are 5 of my favorite foods to grill:

1. Kabobs: Grab some skewers and alternate between adding the meat of your choice, or tofu, and veggies. You can use peppers, onions, pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, get creative! You can also make a fruit kabob for dessert, like grilled mango and peach skewers!

2. Portobello Burger: Roast a slice of portobello mushroom on the grill, melt a slice of provolone on top, and you have a delicious vegetarian-friendly burger!

3. Tofu Dogs: Buy tofu dogs, just like you would buy regular hotdogs, and top with your favorite toppings to switch up the traditional hotdog.

4. Pineapple Burger: Caramelize a pineapple and throw it on the grill. You can add thin slices of ham for a Hawaiian burger, add cheese or your own favorite topping to enjoy this sweet burger!

5. Mushroom Buckwheat Burger: If you are looking for an alternative to the hamburger, then this is the burger for you. It is great for vegetarians and carnivores alike. The base of the burger is yummy mushrooms, with a variety of tasty flavorings.

Food Safety Comes First

While grilling should be an enjoyable experience, there are some safety tips you can follow to make sure it stays fun! Here are some food safety tips to follow:

• Before and after handling food, wash your hands in clean water with soap for at least 20 seconds. If you are at a location that has no access to clean water, bring water and soap with you, or use disposable wipes.

• Chopping boards, plates, and utensils should be washed after coming in contact with raw foods. They should be washed in hot, soapy water and dried before reuse.

• Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat and fish in a container or plastic bag separate from the other foods. When storing raw meat and poultry in the refrigerator, it should always be stored on a shelf below other groceries to reduce the risk of dripping juices contaminating other foods.

• When you are ready to cook, do not use the same plate or utensils for cooked foods that you had used for raw foods. This is another way that cooked foods can become contaminated.

• Never marinate food on the counter. Marinated food should always be stored in the refrigerator. If you plan to use some of the marinade on the cooked food, put some aside before placing the raw meat in it. If you forgot to separate marinade to be used later, you can safely use it after it has been brought to a boil.

• Food should never be left out for longer than two hours. However, in temperatures above 90 degrees, that number drops to one hour!

Your Turn to Take Action: Now that you know it’s National Grilling Month, how will you get creative with your grilling? Let me know in the comments below.

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