As grilling season gets underway, there are endless possibilities of what you can create without many several trips to the grocery store. Grilling is a great way to clean out the fridge or pantry by putting a new spin on old favorites. Invent new marinades buy using dried or fresh herbs, juices or bottled salad dressings make great marinades.

 

If you are able, marinate meat items before you cook them. If you are short on time, use a meat injector to add marinades directly into your products. Injectors are inexpensive and are available at most grocery stores. If you are cooking for a crowd, partially cooking items in the oven or on the stove will save some prep time. Food safety is always important when you are partially cooking foods. Be sure to properly chill and store these foods and finish cooking them as soon as possible.

 

If you are serving an array of foods that need to me made last minute, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others. Have everyone bring a salad, dessert or side item that does not need much preparation. The key here is to streamline all the work ahead of time so you can enjoy your guests.

 

Remember to have plenty of tongs, long forks, and gloves to keep everyone safe. Most cooking injuries come from using the wrong tool for the job. Be smart and have the right equipment on hand and available. Also, be sure to watch children and pets during grilling or cooking to avoid injuries.

 

By organizing your menu by cook time, you will always have something delicious on the grill. Hot dogs and hamburgers cook quickly. When those items are just about done, put on the chicken, pork chops, ribs and steaks.

 

To prevent delicate foods like fish, vegetables and fruit from sticking, wrap them in aluminum foil. You can also cover the grill grates in foil to reduce flare-ups, evenly cook foods, and prevent sticking.