For many people, grilling is about meat, more like MEEEEAT, and the rest of the food or menu is prepared in your indoor kitchen. The great thing about the Weber Genesis E-320 Propane Gas Grill is that the 12,000 BTU side burner opens up several more options for controlling your cooking and dining experience right on your patio. However, having made that observation, we are always amazed at how many “side dishes” and even “desserts” can be prepared directly on the E-320’s grill.
First things first, the grill grate should be thoroughly cleaned and the grate well oiled. On top of that, make sure any vegetables or fruits have been coated with olive oil, drizzled with cooking oil, or hand-rubbed with butter. Don’t use your expensive EVOO for this, but you can if you want. Flavored olive oils infused with your favorite seasoning, herbs, and spices are wonderful for grilling. Placed on a medium to medium-high heat rack, various vegetables and fruits take on wonderful textures and flavors that are a delicious change from raw, steamed, grilled, and fried. If you like the flavor of a slightly charred food, grilling this way is a perfect way to capture that flavor in fruits and vegetables.
Note that this is not a “close the lid and check later” cooking technique. When grilling fruits and vegetables, it’s best to keep an eye on the cooking process. Both vegetables and fruits will get mushy and mushy or even burn if left over the flame for too long. When fruits are grilled, the heat caramelizes the natural sugar and this, along with the smokiness from the grill, provides that wonderfully unique grilled flavor.
This is how you can make some of your favorite vegetables and fruits on the Weber Genesis E-320 gas grill.
Asparagus #1 is perfect for this when tossed with a little lime, garlic butter, and spread on the grill. Grilling gives a really different flavor than streaming or even doing it in a George Forman. Great with flavored oils too.
#2 Fried Green Tomatoes should be placed in a roasting basket or perforated aluminum foil, but they have much less fat than Fried Tomatoes and the charcoal flavor is great.
#3 Eggplant is a favorite, either sliced thin and crisp or cut thick and made like a veggie steak. This is also true for a sweet onion like Vidalia. Simply brush with EVOO and then drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top before flipping.
#4 Leeks and baby bok choy are made the same way. Sliced lengthwise and oiled with balsamic, Worcestershire or soy sauce and placed cut side down, these are packed with flavor.
#5 Grilled corn on the cob tastes totally different. Pull back on the husk to use as a handle, grease the corn and put it on the grill turning frequently.
#6 Roasted Romaine or endive is sliced lengthwise and drizzled with olive or canola oil and placed flat side down. For a flavor-popping Caesar salad, use chopped grilled romaine lettuce.
#7 Pineapples are a grill favorite. Use freshly cut rings sprayed with cooking oil and look for grill marks!
#8 Pears and apples are great on the grill, especially when sprinkled with a spice like cinnamon. Brushing them with a little lime juice will keep them from browning before you’re ready to put them on the grill.
#9 Apricots, peaches and other soft fruits can also be grilled with eagle eye in the process. Simply remove your pit and cook the halves on the grill. Simply fantastic with pork.
#10 Bananas can even be grilled. Yes, that’s a grilled banana. Use firm, underripe fruit that has been buttered by hand. Lightly grill until golden brown with a few grill marks and remove. Cut the banana lengthwise and place the halves flat side down on enough foil to make a packet. Then cut up your favorite dark chocolate bar (Snickers and Mounds, YUM) and sprinkle pieces over the banana. Then lift the foil and seal the package. Return to grill for two to three minutes until chocolate is melted.