Summertime is here. We fall and winter lovers must grin and bear it. It’s time for preparing meals without heating the house, a great time to consider the value of cooking on the grill. Recently, I touched on the favorite cooking pastime of barbecuing. Some believe grilling and barbecuing are synonymous, while others will debate the differences…until the fall.

Cooking on the grill keeps the heat of cooking outside the home and brings the family together for the entire cooking process. From seasoning to marinating to separating and “packaging,” it easily becomes a multi-person task. And while men make excellent “indoor” cooks, there is some truth that men are more inclined to labor over a hot outdoor grill than a hot stove. Another plus: most of the cooking mess on the backyard or patio grill remains outside your kitchen.

Grilling – A Family Affair

For those with an under-age-10 subset, cooking on the grill is also a great way to get the kids involved in the meal preparation and cleanup process. Disposable plates are ideal when grilling and dining al fresco. There will still be the usual family-living fights across the picnic table, but much stress is avoided when mealtime ends. With the kids pitching and handling the disposable cups/plates, there’s no worrying about broken dishes or washing dishes. Rest assured that the animals will take care of anything that gets left behind (i.e., food).

Smaller children can help by bringing utensils to the grill and setting the table with disposable dinnerware. If grilling is going to be a regular thing, consider investing in some portable and kid-friendly containers for condiments, napkins, plastic ware, etc. These containers should be sturdy and able to withstand a decent gust of wind.

Grilling Smorgasbord

Cooking on the grill offers opportunity to enjoy nature after a long workday. Be it trees viewed from a wooden deck or views of life from a fire escape or balcony. Don’t limit grilling to a weekend affair. Grilling midweek employs relaxing qualities, lifting a midweek slump. One thing about grilling: the selections are almost as limitless as cooking on the stove. From carnivores to vegetarians to pescatarians to vegans, something in those menu categories can be grilled. With some imagination used for maximum effect, few meats and vegetables are truly off the cooking grate when it comes to grilling.

Besides various meats, keep in mind that all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables cook well on the grill, too. Pineapple is especially tasty with a bit of char. And don’t forget to accessorize your meal with side dishes that pair well with grilled foods: garden salad, baked beans, potato salad, and nice chilled desserts.

Just Grill It

Cooking on the grill is perfect for bringing family and friends together. The ghost of the pandemic hovers but is essentially over. Social distancing restrictions are lifted. Plan a get-together centered around a night of cooking on the grill. Indoor grills multiply the number of venues. Grilling combines the best of casual get-togethers with easy cleanup and creative, flavorful food with good friends and family. Little compares to the aroma of meat, fruit, and vegetables grilling over charcoal (or its equivalent). Gas grills, charcoal grills, hibachis, electric, or stovetop: the grilling experience creates an old-fashioned atmosphere of food and fun.

However, cooking on the grill should be an experience, not a chore. Most welcome the thought of a good dinner under the sun (or stars). If it’s been some time since you’ve attempted grilling, dust off (or pull out) the grill and refresh … your taste buds.

Book four in the DNA series takes place during the summer. With all this grilling talk, I’m recalling a chapter with an outdoor gathering taking place with a few tense scenes …

Speaking of summer, go and enjoy it. Read, relax, vacay, read… Blogs here will be minimal until September, but check back for what posts. I have your next reading fix to work on, so there’s my summer write there (get it?).

Until next time, stay serif—and stay safe/well.