Chillin' 'n Grillin' - Things to try this summer!

If you haven’t noticed, grilling season is right around the corner! Maybe for you hardcore grillers, the first one of the year has already come and gone. I envy you for that! I’ve missed grilling and I wrote this to satisfy my hunger for smokey deliciousness.  This season I urge you to try something new on the grill. That unique smokey, char, and woody flavor that develops when you grill something transforms ingredients beyond your imagination.  For example, try to grill an orange. Squeeze the juice, and taste it. It’s entirely different than freshly squeeze orange juice. Grilling gives ingredients a new depth of flavor. I have some things for you to try!

Things to try:

Fruit, especially citrus

Having a cookout? Are you making a salad and it really isn’t screaming summer? Make your own dressing from some grilled citrus! Take a few limes, lemons, and oranges and cut them as if you were to juice them. Place them on your grill to get some nice marks. Chill them down.  Juice them and whisk in a touch of honey and olive oil. It’ll bring a note to your salad that you can keep as your “summer secret!”

Hard Cheeses, try a hard ricotta 

This is great for some small appetizers before dinner. Go to your deli and look for some ricotta salata. Cut it into manageable slices and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Try lemon and oregano for another flavor! Place on your grill for 15-20 seconds or until some nice grill marks have developed. It will be very delicate so use extreme care and don’t be discouraged if they break on you. It is just some character for your cheeses! Serve with some crackers to tie into a barbeque themed get together!

Breads, afghan nahn! (you can buy from store, but there is a recipe below)

This is by far the must do! Simply start by making some garlic oil. In a sauté pan on mid-low heat add 5 whole garlic cloves to ¼ c of oil. Adjust the amount of garlic/oil to your liking. This is pretty mild in my opinion. Leave that to develop some garlic flavor for 10-15minutes or until the garlic is brown, but not burnt. Take this oil and brush your nahn, or any kind of bread (any kind of flat bread will be great) and season with salt and pepper. Briefly grill both sides. Cut into individual bite size pieces and serve with a spread of your choice. Try this one:

1. 1c goat cheese
2. 1c sour cream
3. ¾ c grilled corn kernels
4. ½ c chopped cilantro
5. juice of one lime
6. salt/pepper to taste.
7. For spice add chipotle peppers to your liking

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or bowl until everything in incorporated. Chill until service.

I hope this gets you brainstorming! What is your summer secret?

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The following recipe is not mine. I've made it once long ago. You'll need a scale to measure the ingredients. If you use this recipe please let me know how it goes.


Naan 
Flour (not pastry)    16.2oz
Sugar                      .4oz
Instant Yeast           1/2tsp
Warm Water           11.9oz
Vegetable Oil          1oz
Salt                         1/2tsp


Insure the flour has no lumps, sift if needed. Place in a mixing bowl.
Add yeast, oil, 3/4 of the water, sugar, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
Add water as needed to create a soft dough.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth (5 grueling minutes)
Return dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let stand until doubled in size (this process is called proofing, for best results place in a warm area like on top of your dryer)
Knead dough for an addition 2 grueling minutes
Break off small balls of dough and pate them into 4"x1/2' circles
At this point, season, brush with oil, and grill. If after grilled the bread is still dough (raw) bake for 5 minutes @ 350F or until done.