How to Grill Fruit for Entrées, Sides & Desserts
Most people grill steaks, burgers and chicken for the main dish or entrée. Grilling fruits for entrées, sides and desserts can add flavor to the entire meal, and it makes for easy clean-up. The high heat of grilling brings out the sweet and tart flavors and caramelizes the sugars. Here are some helpful tips for bringing out the flavors of fruit by grilling. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose fruits that have both sweet and tart flavors like nectarines, mangoes, peaches and even grapes.
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Skewer pineapple chunks, avocado and scallops onto a wood skewer. Dip into a marinade mixture of lime juice, jalapeño and cilantro and grill for eight minutes.
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Grill mangoes by slicing and placing directly on the grill. Turn these often and grill for three to five minutes. Pairing mangoes with a salad and vinaigrette dressing makes a great summertime side.
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Spoon other fruits like blueberries into the halves of fruits like peaches. Add a little brown sugar, seal in aluminum foil and place on the grill.
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Grapes make a great fruit for entrées. They wrinkle when grilled, but add as a garnish to dishes like chicken and pork chops with a little drizzle of honey.
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Pair grilled fruit with a light ice cream or sorbet.
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Grilled peaches are another delicious dessert. Cut a peach in half, remove the pit and dip the exposed flesh in melted butter. Then twist the buttered area in granulated sugar, and place directly on the grill.
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Tips & Warnings
Firms fruits like apples and pears can be cut in half and placed directly on the grill.
Softer fruits like mango, papaya and peaches must be watched more carefully so they don't overcook. You can cook softer fruit by placing slices in a skillet specifically designed for the grill.
Leave the skin on most fruits to help it stay together.
Soak wood skewers in water first so the fruit doesn't stick once cooked.
