ears of corn and potatoes cooking on a grillI’ve really been into grilling this year. I like it because of how food cooked on the grill tastes, because I can make a meal without heating up the house or producing a mountain of dirty dishes, and most of all I like to sit down and relax in the cool evening air while I patiently wait for my food to be done. For the record, I’m an old-fashioned charcoal grill girl, and sometimes I get really old fashioned and cook over an open fire.

The thing that always bugs me when I’m cooking meat on the grill is that it’s hard to tell when it’s done. I love that smoky goodness, but I’d rather not serve it with a side of food borne illness. Luckily you can take a little care and safely prepare food on an outdoor grill even if you, or someone you cook for is especially at risk, like pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems. Last week I bought one of those instant read thermometer forks to help me tell when my food is cooked to a safe temperature. I’m still getting the hang of it, but it’s going to be a better method than going by the color of the meat.

Remember too that red meat and poultry aren’t the only things you can cook on a grill. I’ve been experimenting with vegetables on the grill, and you know what?  It turns out that I love asparagus! I just toss it with a little olive oil, the juice of a fresh lemon and a little salt and pepper, then give it indirect heat for about 5 minutes on each side. I’m happy to eat the whole bunch!

Next I want to try fruit on the grill and I’m looking at recipes. Anybody have a good one?