With the weather heating up and the summer months upon us, it’s time to trade the oven for the grill and take your meals outside! Usually when we think of outdoor fare, hamburgers, steaks and hotdogs come to mind, but how about skipping the usual grilling go-tos and trying something new?
Impress your guests with an easy-to-prepare grilled tuna steak and panzanella salad. Remember, the grill can be used for more than just meat and veggies, so take advantage of summer fruit with grilled peaches and ice cream for dessert.
This menu is a definite crowd pleaser. Call your friends, and fire up the charcoal.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4-6 depending on the size and quantity of your tuna steaks
Grilling tip: Turn the grill on high for at least 15 minutes (with the lid on) before cooking. Then adjust temperature to cook your meat.
Panzanella Salad
Ingredients:
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp garlic
Salt and Pepper
9 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper
1 large red onion, sliced into rounds (so you can grill them)
4 thick slices of italian bread
2 tablespoons of capers, drained
2 tablespoons of chopped basil
Preparation:
1. Whisk vinegar, garlic, ¼ tsp pepper, and 6 tablespoons of oil in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tbsp of the mixture and set aside in a small bowl
2. Slice pepper in thick rounds for grilling. Toss onion and pepper in the 2 tbsp reserved oil mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste
3. Grill Italian bread slices until charred on both sides, remove from grill
4. Grill onion and pepper on both sides, until charred. This will take about 4 minutes for each side
5. Cut bread, onion, and pepper into chunks. Toss in a bowl with dressing
6. Stir in capers and basil
Tip: For an additional touch, make extra salad dressing to serve over the top of the tuna.
Grilled Tuna Steaks
Ingredients:
Olive Oil
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Preparation:
1. Brush tuna steaks with 1 tablespoon of oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Grill at a very hot temperature. Browned on both sides but still pink in the middle- this can be anywhere from 2 minutes each side (more rare) to 4 minutes each side (medium well)
3. Serve and Enjoy!
Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients:
2 tbsp light brown sugar
Cinnamon to taste
4 fresh peaches
Vanilla Ice Cream
Preparation:
1. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, set aside
2. Cut peaches in half and remove the pit
3. Cook, cut side down, on a preheated grill, for 3 minutes until fruit has char marks
4. Take off of the grill and sprinkle grilled sides with cinnamon and sugar mix
5. Put peaches back on the grill, cover and cook until fruit is tender- about 10 minutes
6. Take off of the grill and serve with vanilla ice cream on top
Kris Schoels is the editor of Young Married Chic -- a blog devoted to baking, fashion, home decor and travel.
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