Foodies, listen up. In uncertain times, some things can stay constant. You don’t need to leave your home to keep enjoying your favorite flavors. Bring restaurant-grade dishes right to your backyard. With the right grill, a good attitude, and a hungry crew, making beautiful culinary creations can be simple and rewarding. Steakhouse-quality food is just around the corner, and it’s your turn to wear the chef’s hat.
First things first…
Before you start cooking sensational summer-time meals, it’s important to have the proper equipment. Look for a grill with features that allow you to cook a wide variety of foods with ease. Adjustable shelves, a sturdy lid, a streamlined control panel, heavy-duty grates, and a spacious interior are must-haves. Be sure not to sacrifice looks for function, though. You want a grill that’s high quality in both performance and appearance.
This may sound like a lot already. However, finding a grill that’s both reliable and appealing isn’t hard! These days, many grills, such as the models from Vintage, boast a sleek, classic look while employing top-notch technology. Once you’ve secured your grill, it’s time for some fun. Let’s get cooking.
1. Surf & Turf
An essential for any summer-time menu, Surf & Turf is a fairly simple (but incredibly delicious) meal you can prepare on the grill. Follow this recipe to serve up a mouthwatering blend of steak and seafood.
Most surf & turf recipes call for splitting your cooking surface into two separate zones. This is so you can heat your seafood and meat at different temperatures. The steak needs to cook at a higher temperature than the rest of your dish, and you don’t want to dry out your shellfish or vegetables. Grill brands like Vintage make this easy by providing numerous gas grill heads for multi-zone cooking. Use the control panel dials to set each grill zone to the desired temperature. Tender shrimp and succulent steak, here you come…
2. Rotisserie Baby Back Pork Ribs
Nothing screams summer more than a delicious BBQ, complete with ribs. Making a mouth-watering rib dinner is easier than you might think. This method from Dad Cooks Dinner outlines the process in a few concise steps and includes instructions for a simple spice rub.
What’s unique about this recipe is that it explains how to cook ribs on a rotisserie. Using a rotisserie ensures that your ribs crisp up on the outside while staying juicy and tender within. Traditional grilling techniques can be too harsh on the lean baby back ribs and can singe too much fat. The rotating motion of the rotisserie bastes the meat instead of burning fat away.
Grill models from Vintage include a rotisserie with an electric motor, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy hanging out with family or friends while your meal cooks. A rotisserie system can also be used to cook yummy dishes such as lamb, pork roast, rotisserie chicken, and glazed ham. Find these recipes and more here.
3. Vegetable Stir Fry
One of the best ways to achieve the perfect stir fry is to use — that’s right– a grill! Unlike your kitchen burners, a grill can achieve the super high temperatures ideal for a flavorful dish that’s both crispy and smoky. Grills reach the proper temperature level quickly and allow you to keep the heat out of your home (ideal for those scorching summer days).
Using a grill pan or wok, follow this vegetarian recipe for a deliciously caramelized stir fry. Feel free to add in meat or substitute other veggies to make it your own. The PowerMaxx ™ Burner featured on Vintage grill models is ideal for recipes like this, allowing for even cooking over the grill’s expansive surface. Chop up some onions, peppers, zucchini, or broccoli, and get cooking!
4. Seared Ahi Tuna
A meal that is sure to impress, seared Ahi Tuna is a fairly straightforward dish to cook. It takes less than half an hour to marinate the fish and under five minutes to actually sear it! This recipe details each step and includes instructions for a flavorful marinade.
Ideally, your tuna will look browned on the outside but will be on the rawer side within. When you cut open its seared, crispy exterior and reveal the vibrant pink inside, you’ll be feeling fancy and professional. The key here is to cook the fish with high enough heat that it doesn’t need to stay on too long– you don’t want it to cook all the way through! Fortunately, many grills, including some in the Vintage collection, have searing zones. In the case of Vintage grills, their specialized ceramic burners climb to a temperature of 1500 degrees so you can cook like a pro with ease.
After your tuna is seared to perfection, slice it thinly and serve it up with noodles or rice. You better make extra, because everyone will want seconds.
5. The Classic Cheeseburger
Of course, nothing beats a classic burger on the grill. Take your grill game to the next level and try making your patties from scratch. Follow this easy recipe to learn how to make burgers with flavorful mix-ins and how to help the patties retain their shape. It also provides useful tips on how to evenly cook the burgers and keep them moist.
Fit enough burgers for the whole gang to have one (or two..or three..) in just one round of grilling with a larger grill. Vintage grills come in sizes up to 56 inches, giving you plenty of space to throw some hot dogs on too!
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Literally spice up your summer with these fabulous recipes among countless other grilled dishes. Why cook indoors when you have a restaurant-grade kitchen outside? Have fun, and most importantly…
Stay safe, stay healthy, and happy cooking!
