Easy
Gingery Watermelon Paletas
A dollop of yogurt keeps these pops from being too icy, and we love the way the ginger adds a little spice.
By Susan Spungen
Smoky Tomato Sauce
Grill the tomatoes just before you place the eggplants in the coals.
By Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer
Cantaloupe in Pink Peppercorn Syrup
Jeremiah Bacon, The Macintosh, Charleston, SC: "Infused simple syrup rounds out the flavor of cantaloupe for this quick dessert."
By Jeremiah Bacon
Coal-Roasted Eggplants
Once you've charred them, you can drizzle these eggplants with your best extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with some coarse salt for a simple side. But they're even better paired with one of the three luscious sauces (Yogurt and Sumac Sauce , Smoky Tomato Sauce , or Lemon-Mint Sauce ) and some grilled flatbread or pita.
By Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer
Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh
Rinsing the cooked couscous stops the cooking and prevents it from sticking together as it cools.
By Eric Ripert
Cantaloupe Gazpacho
Ryan Lowder, The Copper Onion, Salt Lake City: "The cantaloupes we get here are really sweet, so we counter that with savory flavors."
By Ryan Lowder
Sambal Chicken Skewers
This spicy, sticky glazed chicken features sambal oelek, a bright and punchy chile-packed condiment, giving these grilled skewers a very convincing comeback.
By Alison Roman
Kaimuki Daiquiri
This drink is named for the Honolulu neighborhood where Town, Chef Kenney's restaurant, is located.
By Ed Kenny
Lemon-Mint Sauce
This bright vinaigrette is good for a lot more than just grilled eggplant.
By Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer
Swordfish with Seaweed Salsa Verde
Chef Kenney says that combining the herbs for the salsa verde with seaweed really gives this dish "that fresh-from- the-sea flavor." In Oahu, he uses just harvested limu, but hijiki, which is widely available, works well, too.
By Ed Kenny
4-3-2-1 Spice Rub
You can use this simple formula to wake up the Beer-Can Chicken , add another layer of flavor to the Barbecued Chicken , or sass up plenty of things that aren't poultry, like pork, steak, or vegetables.
By Alison Roman
Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde
By Alison Roman
Snap Pea and Cabbage Slaw
Serving "green stuff" to kids can be a challenge. But a crunchy salad of bite-size vegetables holds plenty of appeal.
By Sue Li
Baby Potato Salad
Use a metal cake tester or thin paring knife to check the potatoes; they should still hold their shape but offer no resistance when pierced.
By Eric Ripert
Garlicky Mayonnaise
By Alison Roman
Chicken Under a Brick
Remember: Spatchcock is not a dirty word. In fact, it's the speediest, easiest way to grill a whole bird. Also known as butterflying, the technique (see above) exposes lots of skin directly to the heat, guaranteeing thorough browning and crisping— coaxed further by pressing with bricks. Spatchcocked chicken, delicious on its own, is also great Garlicky Mayonnaise , Charred Tomatillo Salsa Verde , or Zingy Red Sauce .
By Alison Roman
Grilled Citrus Chicken
By Alison Roman
Beer-Can Chicken
There's quite a bit of lore surrounding beer-can chicken, and for good reason. Just look at that burnished mahogany bird. The steam from the brew flavors the meat and keeps it moist. The can props the chicken up, so it roasts evenly—no scorching, no flipping, no stressing. And you get to drink some beer. We're believers.
By Alison Roman
Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
The seductively high ratio of skin to meat is what makes wings taste so good, and grilling takes full advantage of that. This herb marinade is bright and summery, and light enough to let the skin get nice and crisp.
By Alison Roman