Friday, June 27, 2014

Take Fourth of July Entertaining to the Next Level with Two Sweet Grilled Dessert Recipes

Keep the grill hot after the cook-out and grill desserts to top off their 4th of July holiday celebrations.

You will be the neighborhood hero when you grill s'mores for the gang after dinner.  Be prepared to make a plate or start an assembly line with eager volunteers! Or try the fruity Red, White and Blue Dessert Quesadilla. Both recipes are easy to make and easy to grill.

Grate Grilled S'mores

Ingredients:
  • Graham Crackers
  • Marshmallows
  • Hershey's Chocolate Squares
Grillling S'mores
Ingredients To make one S’more:
  • 1 Graham Cracker in 2 halves
  • ½ Hershey's Chocolate Bar
  • 1 Marshmallow
Grilling Instructions:
  • Spear marshmallow (1-2 at a time) on GrateTool or large grill fork
  • Hold the marshmallow just over the grillgrates and it will soon start to soften and melt
  • Lower the marshmallows onto the raised rails briefly- turn and repeat
  • Place ½ graham cracker with chocolate on top onto the grillgrates
  • As soon as the chocolate shows signs of melting place marshmallow on top
  • Place top ½ of graham cracker over marshmallow and pull off the fork or gratetool to complete the grilled s'more.
It is a fast grill, less than 1 min for each marshmallow and 30 seconds for the graham cracker and chocolate to be ready for handing off (Tip: have lots of napkins on hand for gooey chocolate) or plating. If possible, let the s'more sit for 2-3 minutes after grilling for the chocolate to firm up a bit.


Red, White and Blue Dessert Quesadilla on the Grill

Blueberries, raspberries, and white chocolate chips are the ideal ingredients for a great dessert
quesadilla. Pre-make ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator.  Keep entertaining family and guests with this nutritious fruity dessert.
raspberries, blue berries and white chocolate chip quesadilla 
Ingredients:
  • Four Flour Tortillas
  • Cup of white chocolate morsels
  • Cup of fresh raspberries
  • Cup of fresh blueberries
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Confectioners’ sugar
  • Vanilla
dessert quesadilla on grillMAKES 2 Dessert Quesadillas:
Making the filling:

  • 8 ounce container whole ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • Mix ingredients together in a food processor -- this makes the filling for two quesadillas.
Making the Quesadilla:
  • Spread 1/3 of the filling on one tortilla (this is the bottom)
  • Sprinkle semi-sweet morsels
  • Place 2nd tortilla on top
  • Spread light film of filling
  • Decorate top with raspberries and blueberries
  • Add a few more white chocolate morsels


Grilling the dessert quesadilla:
  • The grill should be at medium heat, about 400F. Use a grilling spray or wipe the raised rails with oil
  • Slide the Quesadilla off the cutting board onto the GrillGrates- close lid
  • Check in 3-4 minutes by slightly lifting an edge to see the sear marks
  • Quarter turn the quesadilla if dark searing or wait and quarter turn in 1-2 minutes. Close lid
  • Use The GrateTool to check for firmness of quesadilla,it should be crispy and firm
  • Determine whether to give it a couple of more minutes or off it comes onto the cutting board
  • Let stand for 2 minutes
  • Cut and Serve

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Rembering Dad at the Grill on Father's Day

Cheers Dad!
Father's Day at the grill is especially poignant for me as my Dad was a big griller and I have carried on the flame, but not his syringe for putting out flare-ups! (Dad was in the syringe business) Grilling with my Father are some of my fondest memories.

His signature dish was marinated london broil which became my signature dish as a young man. Every Father's Day we break out Dad's recipe of marinading a large london broil over night in Catalina French Dressing and pepper corns. That sweet tangy dressing really permeates the meat and makes for a great bark.

I'll hoist my scotch to you Dad when I've got that London Broil searing!

Grilled Breakfast Pizza on GrillGatesLinks to 3 Grate Father's Day Recipes that have become staples in our house:
  • Ultimate Breakfast Pizza- Pre-cook the ingredients the night
    before so in the morning its just assemble grill and eat.
  • London Broil on GrillGratesBurgers Brats & Beer- Be ready for the crowd by keeping extra packages of brats and burgers around if Dad's buddies show up
  • My Father's London BroilMy Father's London Broil- A family tradition in our house started by my Father more than 50 years ago.