It wouldn’t be August without grills fired up full of steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs. You might already spend a lot of time grilling these, along with other popular items like pork chops, grilled squash and cedar plank salmon, this summer. But did you think to ever throw items like pork belly, chicories and even cheese on the grill? Check out some of these unexpected grilled foods, and you might feel inspired to turn up the flame on them yourself.
It does take a bit more patience to grill pork belly—you must render out some of its fat by braising it first. The end result, however—a crisp exterior, and meltingly tender interior—is entirely worth the effort.
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 Fish Wrapped in Banana Leaves
Cedar plank salmon are a popular way to grill fish, but another unsung version is to wrap delicate fillets of white fish (like halibut or cod) in banana leaves, which impart a sweet, grassy aroma to the fish. Bonus: They also keep the seafood from sticking to the grill.
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 Padrón Peppers
Padrón peppers are a popular vegetable in Spain, where they are typically fried and doused with flaky sea salt. They are just as delicious, however, grilled—arguably more, thanks to the charred spots they get from being cooked over an open flame. |
 Calamari Steaks
You heard it first right here: Not enough people are making squid at home. Calamari, as it’s known, doesn’t just have a crave-able texture and flavor; it’s also incredibly quick-cooking and easy to make in a home kitchen. One of our favorite ways to enjoy it is to sear calamari steaks on a grill. |
 Radicchio
Purple-red radicchio is pleasantly bitter, and grilling thick wedges of it chars and sweetens the outer leaves. The salsa verde adds a contrasting color and a dose of piquancy.This recipe, which calls for cooking the radicchio over medium heat with a ridged grill pan, would work equally well (if not better) with a gas or charcoal grill. |
 Halloumi
Halloumi is a mild Greek cheese that stays firm but turns warm and delightfully chewy when grilled. It’s great when paired with figs for an unusual salad with a great mix of sweet and salty flavors. |
 Sardines
Sardines are plentiful in southern Italy, where you will often find them grilled. Here, the personal-sized fish are stuffed with tuna, seasoned with lemon and served over arugula.
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 Cornish Hens
For a departure from the norm, skip the chicken and flatten and cook cornish hens under the pressure of a heavy brick (or a pizza stone or cast-iron pan). The result will be tender poultry with gorgeous color and crisp skin.
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When it comes to grilling bread, think beyond bruschetta. Try grilling a flatbread like naan, then topping it with a variety of your favorite toppings—if you need some inspiration, try the smoky eggplant puree and red onions shown here. |