5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Make on the Grill

If you have a grill, you are likely a pro at grilling meat and vegetables. But other dishes, some unexpected, can be grilled with delicious results.

Grilling fruit enhances its sweetness. Firm and soft fruits such as pineapple, melon, peaches, plums, apples, and bananas grill well; just make sure they are not overripe.

To grill fruit kabobs:

1. Spray the grill rack with non-stick cooking spray or use a grill pan.
2. Cube or slice (about 1 1/2 inches) your favorite fruits and alternate on skewers with whole, cored strawberries and whole grapes.
3. Brush fruit with honey, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sea salt.
4. Grill a minute or two per side over medium-high heat until fruit is heated through and caramelized.

Most people don't think of making breakfast on the grill, but it's a nice change of pace from indoor cooking, especially if you have a crowd for breakfast.

To grill French toast:

1. Spray the grill rack with non-stick cooking spray or oil the rack well.
2. Using your favorite French toast recipe, prepare batter and dredge thick bread slices.
3. Place battered bread slices on a lightly oiled grill rack or grill pan; grill over medium-high heat about 2 minutes per side.
4. Watch the toast to make sure it doesn't burn.
5. Remove from heat and serve topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup.

Take traditional grilled banana boats to the next level with dark chocolate and pecans.

To make grilled banana boats:

1. Cut banana peel lengthwise to create a boat-shaped opening, leaving about 1/2 inch on both ends.
2. Open peel to form a pocket.
3. Fill pocket with 3 tablespoons dark chocolate shavings or dark chocolate chips, a dash of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon chopped pecans.
4. Shape foil around each banana boat and grill on medium-high heat until chocolate is melted and bananas are heated through and soft, about 10 minutes.
5. Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, and more chocolate and toppings of your choice.

Making pizza on the grill is reminiscent of pizza made in a brick, wood-fire oven at your favorite pizzeria. You get the results of high heat cooking without heating your kitchen.

To make pizza on the grill:

1. Pre-heat the grill to high and cook one side of a pizza dough crust on a well-oiled grill rack until done, about 5 minutes.
2. Flip, and cook other side, about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Add sauce, minced garlic, and your favorite toppings such as diced peppers, diced onions, pepperoni slices, or sliced mushrooms.
4. Close grill cover and cook a few minutes more until cheese is melted.

If you're a quesadilla fan and haven't prepared them on the grill, you're missing out. Grilling quesadillas gives them a smoky, charred flavor that's delicious.

To make grilled quesadillas:

1. Slice 1 red or green pepper, 1 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, and 1 small red onion into 1/4 inch slices.
2. Brush vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Grill vegetables a few minutes per side on a well-oiled grill rack or grill pan.
4. Spread a tortilla with 1 tablespoon sour cream; top half the tortilla with 1/4 cup Monterey or cheddar cheese and 1/4 of the grilled vegetables; fold tortilla to close.
5. Grill quesadilla over medium-high heat on grill rack or grill pan for about 5 minutes per side or until cheese is melted.
6. Serve with salsa or guacamole.

Grilled foods make summer entertaining easy and memorable. Think outside-the-box with your favorite recipes to find other foods perfect for grilling.