As summer grilling season gets underway, it’s easy to stick with classic barbecue fare. Instead of the tried-and-true recipes, consider lighting a fire under the grill this season! Joan Hanson, test kitchen director for Hormel Foods, offers a few easy tips below on how to break away from backyard boredom by utilizing a few unexpected ingredients.
Surprise Your Senses with a Bit of Bacon
- Smoky Chicken and Bacon Kabobs: Alternate chicken on skewers with pieces of bacon for chicken kabobs on the grill.
- Flavor-infused Bacon Burgers: Add cooked and chopped bacon with chopped green onions to ground beef. Form into burger patties and grill.
- Bacon-wrapped Scallops: Wrap Hormel® fully-cooked bacon around scallops and secure with wooden picks. Brush with olive oil and grill until bacon is crispy and scallops are opaque.
Create Enticing Aromas with Onion
- Caramelized Onions: Combine butter, sugar and Vidalia onions in a foil pouch. Grill until onion is tender and use to enhance the flavor of your favorite steak or pork.
- Roast Onion Tenderloin: Grill onions and garlic in a foil pouch. Serve over grilled pork tenderloin.
Tempt Your Sweet Tooth with Unique Grilled Desserts
- Grilled Banana Pound Cake: Top slices of grilled pound cake with sliced grilled bananas. Finish with caramel, whipped cream and pecans.
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownies: Grill strawberries and place on brownies. Top with chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Grilled Banana Split: Grill bananas, strawberries, and pineapple chunks on a skewer. Top ice cream with grilled fruit, hot fudge and whipped cream.