let's get lit 🔥
grill girls, our time has come
there are only two things I want to eat in the summer: seasonal produce…and grilled anything.
whether i’m whipping up a meal for the family, hosting or attending a barbecue, everything just tastes better when it comes off the grill, right?
in honor of both canada day (july 1) and july 4 coming up (how is it almost july!?), i’m sharing my go-to recipes, grilling tips, and favorite outdoor dining gear. bring on the long days (and long weekends!)
happy grilling, friends!
xo,
e
what i’m serving at the bbq
first and foremost, fresh veg
to be honest, salads and sides are the main reasons why I love a bbq…some of my favorites are my dreamy grilled corn salad; my nicoise-inspired take on a potato salad (no mayo here, i’m an olive oil girl through and through) with capers, green beans, olives and dill; a grilled peach and burrata salad that’s just the right amount of salty, spicy and sweet; and this sumac pita panzanella salad is super bright and fun, the perfect light, fresh touch.
for a non-salad veg dish, try my aleppo feta elote (a true flavor bomb and so fun to eat!), or this cheesy tomato galette that looks fancy but is so easy and tastes sooo good.
dips with a twist
dips have a spot at the table for every single event I host, and a barbecue is no exception. but these two dips, both the spicy pepper dip with walnuts and pomegranate molasses and my safta’s baba (both from tahini baby!) make use of the grill to get that signature smoky flavor and are so fun to char and whip up.
main events
don’t get me wrong, I love a burger and hot dog as much as the next girl, but for an elevated take, ido’s chicken kebabs, spiced to perfection with cumin, baharat, paprika + more are always a hit.
for the red meat eaters my juicy, herby lamb kebabs really speak for themselves, and for the vegetarians, my arayes, aka lebanese stuffed pitas with cauliflower, mushrooms, and walnuts from tahini baby are outrageous.
and in case you missed it, I just cooked up a kebab party (even more variations on kebabs and just as delish) with my cherry herb salad, quick pickled shallots, and chili oil. i’m telling you, this platter is beyond.
sweet treats
if you really want to be everyone’s favorite at the function, bring dessert.
my ice cream smash, which is literally smashed ice cream topped with halvah, tahini, sesame seeds and chocolate (omg), is heaven on earth that will go QUICK.
cherries are in season and one of my favorite things to make is this fennel sesame and cherry galette, which looks fancy, but it’s so easy to assemble, and tastes unreal.
and, while we’re still gloriously in rhubarb season, the strawberry rhubarb rose tahini crumble from tahini baby is like tart summer jam meets sesame shortbread deliciousness.
best grilling practices
preheat, preheat, preheat. the most crucial grilling step. you want to preheat the grill as you would the oven, so you can hear that sizzle and ensure gorgeous char marks when you lay down your meat, veggies or fish.
grab an onion. this is my trick to grease up (and slightly season!) the grill. cut an onion in half, dip it in neutral oil, pierce it with a fork or grill utensil and rub the onion cut-side down along the grill grates. your grill is now hot, greased, and flavorful.
use these tools. if I were building up my grilling must-haves, a great pair of tongs (I love these from oxo with a built-in bottle opener so it’s 2-in-1!) longer tongs are better for handling the heat from the grill and while you’re hanging outside with your guests, you can wow them with your bottle opener trick lol
sheet trays (also from crate + barrel) would be first on the list, too! tongs for easily maneuvering / flipping, and sheet trays for literally everything (marinating, grilling veg, transporting, etc.)
take it slow. you can’t rush the process on a good grill job. let your food cook, unbothered, for at least a few minutes. it's ready to be flipped when it releases easily, or rather doesn't stick to the grill.
and finally, don’t forget the gear!
if you’re going to be spending a lot of time eating and drinking outdoors this summer (and I sincerely hope you are), these are a few of my faves: the coolest portable grill, a perfectly-sized food cover to keep the bugs away, and the picnic blanket, basket,and cooler tote that will keep you prepared all summer long.
how are you spending your long weekend?! and what dishes are you preparing? let me know in the comments :)