Great Grilled Meals Without a Single Ounce of Meat
The summer cookout has been a carnivore’s arena since the dawn of conveniently packaged meat. But now, with fresh, seasonal produce like asparagus, zucchini and corn back in vogue — and not just for the healthy-eating set — it’s time to turn the traditional grilling practice on its head by demonstrating how beautifully spring and summer vegetables hold up over the coals.
Next time you’re planning a cookout, try throwing one of these wholesome, meat-free dishes into the mix. The vegetarians will thank you, and even the most-stubborn meat eaters won’t be able to resist a few helpings of smoky grilled veg.
Just as baked sweet potatoes are a vegetarian’s best friend in the winter months, so are grilled sweet potato fries in the summer — and if you’re serving veggie burgers, you can’t forget the fries. The secret to perfect firm-tender texture is parboiling the sweet potatoes before grilling, Bobby Flay advises.
Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Even if you’re going meatless this summer, you can still satisfy your craving for grilled steaks cooked on the grill. Wrapping cauliflower rubbed with harissa (a North African spiced chile paste) in foil before you grill it helps it become tender quickly, but lets it still chars nicely right through the foil.
Kana Okada, Kana Okada 2011
You won’t miss the beef when you bite into these hearty vegetarian patties. Each one is packed with protein-rich walnuts, beans and barley, which combine to reproduce the meaty, wholesome bite you would expect from a traditional burger.
Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Mildly spicy Cubanelle chiles are just the right size to stuff with cheese and fold into warm corn tortillas. They take only a few minutes to char on the grill alongside tomatoes and onions that go into a chunky salsa.
Tyler Florence adds tons of flavor to juicy grilled corn on the cob by making it Mexican- style with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan and chili powder.
Antonis Achilleos
It’s tough to beat this easy grilled side dish on taste and efficiency when it requires just a handful of ingredients, like sweet chili sauce and tangy rice vinegar. Toss the bok choy in the sweet and spicy marinade, then char it on the grill for just 1 or 2 minutes per side.
Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Giada De Laurentiis looks for the freshest produce and an assortment of colors when preparing this cornucopia of grilled vegetables. Drizzle the veggies with homemade balsamic-herb vinaigrette right after grilling to lock in a touch of sweetness.
Antonis Achilleos
Grilled fruit isn’t just for dessert: Toss grilled nectarines, cumin-scented rice and almonds for an unforgettable Middle Eastern-inspired dish.
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