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Worried about trying something new on the grill? Don’t be!

When it comes to grilling, a lot of people play it safe. Chicken or beef, potatoes or rice and maybe a vegetable. Actually sounds a bit boring, doesn’t it? Take it from us, the best thing about your grill is its capability of being able to do so much more for you. You just have to know what you want to achieve and then let your grill do the rest.

Are you a risk-taker when it comes to your grill? Do you like to take chances with what you’re cooking? Do you want to surprise your family and friends with truly unique meals that wow them but are worried that something might not turn out the way you want or, worse, that it won’t taste good? We’re here to tell you to stop worrying, take a deep breath, muster up some grilling courage and get ready to start cooking outside the lines. Trust us, some of the best meals you’ll ever make are the ones where you don’t necessarily follow a recipe but cook with the end result in mind while being open to other possibilities.

Start with the basics. You don’t have to scrap your plans for chicken or beef with potatoes or rice and a dish of veggies on the side. Just mix things up a bit. For example, try rubbing a handful of fresh herbs across the grates of your grill. They’ll give your meats and vegetables a subtle, smoky, savory flavor that’s completely different from a dry rub or marinade. (Tip: it’s also a great way to use up leftover herbs, too.)

Speaking of veggies, they’re great skewered on the grill. Just remember to double skewer to keep the food from falling off and avoid mixing vegetables and meats because different foods cook at different rates on the grill. For an extra special treat, use edible skewers like cinnamon sticks.

Looking around for some different foods to try grilling? We like to say the sky’s the limit but here are a few to get you headed in the right direction.

  • French Toast works wonderfully on the grill. Make sure you use a clean grill, keep the bread whole or cut into chunks and then skewer it, soak in mixture then place on grill until it’s done.
  • Thick-cut bacon can be grilled using a griddle. You can also skewer thinner slices.
  • Yes, it’s true. You can have your cake and eat it, too. Pound and angel food cakes work best here. For an extra taste sensation, try brushing it with butter before grilling. The grill’s higher heat will caramelize the sugars in the cake, giving it a more pronounced flavour. Top with fresh fruit or ice cream.
  • If cocktails are on the menu, tossing your garnishes on the grill for even a few minutes will not only bring out a smokier, sweeter aroma but will also add a more intense flavor to your drinks.

By now, you’ve probably got some ideas of your own that you’d like to try out. We say go for it. When you cook outside the lines, you can get some pretty amazing – and tasty – results. And if it doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up. Keep going. After all, it’s when you try a variety of different combinations of tastes, textures and cooking methods that you can then decide what your final dish should look and taste like. To get you started, check out our Grilled Strawberries on Cinnamon Sticks served with Lemon Cream Tarts.