Grilled Strawberries, Chimichurri and More

May 13, 2012

Get fired up for the grilling season with quick tips and tricks for your next barbecue.

Contributed by: Cheri Liefeld
www.adventuresinthekitchen.com

At the first glimpse of spring, I fire up my grill and begin barbecuing away! Grilling is healthy and offers many flavor combinations. It’s the sweet spot of summer. Many of our evenings are spent grilling and eating outside. We end up lingering outdoors all evening.

I don’t want to miss out on the fun. Who wants to be inside while everyone is outside? So I try to make dishes that can be made ahead or out at the grill. From appetizer to dessert, the entire meal can be prepared outdoors.

Recently, I grilled strawberries and tomatoes for a bruschetta appetizer. Besides the wonderful flavor combination, it was such a pretty first course.

For the main dish, I love Grilled Chicken Chimichurri with roasted vegetables. Chimichurri is a flavorful Argentinian sauce made with chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, red vinegar and red pepper flakes. There can be other additions, but this is the basic sauce used with grilled meats.

Grilling Ideas

Marinate and chill the chicken in half of the sauce for 2 to 8 hours. Refrigerate the remaining sauce until you are ready to grill.

Brush the grill with oil and preheat. Grill the chicken until cooked through. Don’t overcook it or you’ll end up with dry, chewy chicken that no one will want to eat.

Grilling Ideas

Add the vegetables to a grill tray or pan over the heat. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes or until cooked but not mushy.

Place the vegetables on a platter and top with the chicken. Brush with a bit more sauce and serve the remaining sauce on the side.

Here are a few tips for successful grilling:

Spray or wipe a cold grill with oil and then preheat it.
Gather any sauces on a platter.
Have the right tools at hand: a brush for applying sauces, tongs for turning, a basket for grilling and a clean plate for holding the finished food. Also have foil nearby to keep the cooked foods warm.
Check out Betty Crocker’s Grilling Timetable, which is a great reference guide for grilling.

When planning your meal, either prepare simple sides that can be made ahead of time or ask each guest to bring their favorite dish.

Have a tray of drinks and appetizers sitting out so that people can nibble while you are grilling.

Don’t forget about dessert! I find that light desserts are best this time of year. Grill fruit and place over a bowl of ice cream or yogurt. You can also make Grilled Shortcake Push-Up Pops using Bisquick® Heart Smart. Kids and adults will love them!