5 Things You Never Thought You Could Grill

If you’re tired of conventional, familiar Memorial Day fare, here are five new dishes you never thought would work well with smoke.

This weekend marks the start of a few notable things: the beginning of summer, the point at which people begin sneaking out early from their Friday workdays, and perhaps most important, the dusting off of backyard grills.

We may not be able to help make your weekend longer, but we can help when it comes to cooking over an open flame. This Memorial Day, go rogue: grill what no one else is grilling.

2. 1. Oysters

Grilled Oysters with a Sriracha Lime Butter

Everybody loves an open flame. As it turns out, oysters do too. The quick blast of heat from the grill concentrates the oysters’ brine, without drying them out. And, they’re ridiculously simple. It’s an easy sell.

Makes at least 2 dozen oysters

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha
• 2 teaspoons shallots, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons cilantro, minced
• 2 dozen oysters on the half shell

1. Mix the butter with the shallots, sriracha, lime, salt, and cilantro. Let the mixture set in the fridge. It doesn’t have to set completely but it should be more solid than liquid.

2. Meanwhile, heat the grill (or broiler) until very hot.

3. Toss each oyster with a dollop of butter.

4. Grill (or broil) for 3-4 minutes.

5. Enjoy! But be careful as the shells will be very hot.

3. 2. Bread

Grilled Bread with Thyme Pesto and Preserved Lemon Cream

Next time you’re thinking about putting your bread in the oven, toss it on the grill instead. It’s easier, tastier, and the smokiness it gets from the coals will give your crostini a whole new flavor dimension. (BBQ guests are always particularly discerning about flavor dimensions.)

You can apply the grilled-bread principle to all kinds of crostini, too. Try topping it with fresh ricotta, or spread it with pea pesto. Thanks to the grill, you’ll have a new go-to blank slate for seasonal produce.

4. 3. Paella

Tailgate Paella

No, it’s not a gimmick — you can really grill paella. This earthy rice dish — scented with saffron and made hearty with chicken, pork shoulder, chorizo, and shrimp — garners a great smokiness from the grill.

And, you’ll get bonus points for being different. If Memorial Day barbecues were junior high, this dish would make yours the mysterious, cool kid at the highly coveted lunch table. No one will even miss the pasta salad.

5. 4. Brussels Sprouts

Grilled Brussels Sprouts

These aren’t your grandmother’s, murky green holiday sprouts. Brussels sprouts get a spring makeover, and a healthy amount of smoke, by being thrown on the grill.

Quickly toss them in oil seasoned with garlic, celery salt, and onion, and char only long enough to let the fire wake up their flavors. Try them for a great side dish, or as a crostini topping. (We trust that you’re grilling your bread, too.)

6. 5. Peaches

Grilled Mint Julep Peaches

Peaches make a lovely companion for the grill. And, for that matter, so do cocktails. (We’re not just talking about the one you’ll be sipping while you make this.)

Inspired by the favorite Kentucky Derby drink, this recipe combines quickly seared peaches with a brown sugar mint julep glaze. Bourbon has never had so many summertime applications.

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