Grill Your Dinner Tonight

Your grill wasn’t made just for Father’s day and Forth of July cook-outs.  Celebrate the summer season nightly by getting your grill on with these three healthy and easy dinner ideas plus some recipes for simple sides to round out the meal.

Pork Chops and Applesauce: For a quick meal, buy pork that is no more than ¼-inch, as this will significantly reduce your grilling time. Marinate while you’re at work in a savory bath of olive oil, red vinegar and steak seasoning or whatever herbs strike your fancy (rosemary is always a winner with pork). Before grilling, be sure the rack is very hot, as you will want to sear each side of the pork for two minutes before turning down the heat. Serve with a traditional side of applesauce.

Grilled Shrimp with Asparagus and Rice: Shrimp is simple and quick to grill because it doesn’t require the use of a fish basket or a heavy marinade. To begin, skewer shrimp lengthwise to prevent curling, oil the grill to avoid sticking and cook for a couple minutes over medium heat. As for the asparagus, rub with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill.  Serve the pair over a bed of rice and you have a summertime meal fast.

Planked Grilled Salmon and Lemon-Thyme Polenta: Want dinner in 15 minutes flat? Rub a piece of salmon in salt, pepper, olive oil and spices of choice. Plank-grill the fish skin-side down for 10 minutes and serve with a quick-cooking polenta (Bob's Red Mill makes a great 5-minute polenta) seasoned with salt, pepper, lemon and a little fresh thyme.

-By Emily Arno

Farro Salad with Apples and Spinach

This hearty salad needs a main course that can stand up to it—we suggest a good, thick steak.

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Green Bean Salad with Prosciutto

The rich flavor and silky texture of prosciutto di Parma, the most famous of the Italian hams, makes a delicious addition to this summery salad.

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Honey-Grilled Vegetables

Vegetables cooked on the grill are kissed with the sweetness of honey.

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