More and more of us are looking for opportunities to eat the freshest and least-processed foods, and grilling — not limited to summer BBQs anymore — is a great way to help us cook and eat healthier. Think of any category or group of food or any type of meal, and you can be sure a grilled version is an option. Why not try some of these ideas?

Breakfast on the Grill

We often think of grilling as limited to an afternoon or evening meal, but why not consider breakfast on the grill? There are few things more enjoyable than drinking coffee and reading the paper outside in the cool of a summer morning; try grilling some French toast kebabs or a grilled breakfast pizza.

Pizza on the Grill

Is there a type of pizza that doesn’t lend itself to the grill? Make your own whole wheat crust, and get creative with your toppings. If you’re short on time, use a pre-made crust, pita bread, tortillas, or wraps, or pick up some naan and give your grilled pizza an Indian twist by using garlic, onions, spinach, Indian spices, pistachios, and paneer (Indian cheese) or farmer’s cheese. Toss it on lightly oiled grates until your toppings are hot and cheese is melted. Crust and sauce recipes here!

Vegetables on the Grill

Grilled vegetables are delectable on the grill. Corn, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini are among the more traditional options. Portabellas hot off the grill and combined with basil, tomatoes, and feta makes an incredibly satisfying and sumptuous meal. Slice onions thickly, halve peppers, and slice zucchini lengthwise, brush with olive oil, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, and grill until desired doneness.

More unusual selections include artichokes, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, kale, and romaine. For extra-flavorful results, marinate them in your favorite dressing in advance, or keep them simple with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh pepper. Kale, which can be a bit tough, becomes crispy and wilted when grilled. Enjoy it on its own, or add it to salads for a different kind of crunch. Use grilled romaine for the next Caesar salad you serve to summer guests, or surprise them even more with a charred, smoky salad of grilled romaine with blue cheese and bacon. Either way, you’ll set their taste buds on fire.

Try these grilled corn on the cob recipes!

Grilled Fruit

Why not end the day with a grilled treat? Consider grilling your favorite tropical fruits–such as slices of mango, papaya, pineapple, or even watermelon, either plain or lightly flavored with fresh ginger and honey.  Or this all-time summer favorite: grilled peaches. They’re unbelievably luscious on their own or with a bit brown sugar and cinnamon. When you melt some bittersweet chocolate on top of them, the result is awe-inspiring!

Other Grilled Treats

At the other end of the spectrum, s’mores are always a fun choice. Swapping out traditional marshmallows for Peeps® is sure to ignite kids’ interest and appetites. (Note: Peeps are now available year-round and, just in time for Fourth of July, include a patriotic red-white-and-blue option. Most recipes call for a clean grill, pre-heated to medium or medium high-heat (for gas). Charcoal grills call for a bit more finesse, and, similarly, some food selections are trickier than others. But there’s plenty of guidance to be found, so be sure to consult your favorite cook book or go online.

Consult The Experts

Many of the celebrity chefs have their favorite books and recipes for the grill. Guy Fieri and Emeril Lagasse have published grilling cookbooks that reflect their particular flare with food. Some celebrity chefs have even made grilling their specialty. Bobby Flay, the original “Boy Meets Grill,” has made a career out of grilling. Among his many fabulous grilling recipes is one that takes grilled mangoes and gives them a Southwestern spin. RachaelRay.com features a Grill Guide, and among the top-rated grilling cookbooks are The New Vegetarian Grill by Andrea Chessman and Taming the Flame by Elizabeth Karmel, which is an especially good offering if you’re just getting started in the grilling realm.

When in doubt, experiment. Why not give a food group or meal a try on the grill? Your assumptions may go up in smoke as you discover that “Yes, you can grill that!”

Grilled Peaches with Bittersweet Chocolate

Grilled Peaches with Bittersweet Chocolate

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