Peaches, Pineapple, and even Bananas are great on the grill. Add some sweet sauce or vanilla ice cream and you have a different dessert than you would serve during most of the year. While easy grilled appetizers and easy grilled side dishes will amaze your guests, dazzle them with the grilled fruit desserts.

Great Grilled Desserts

Grilled Peaches

Peel, pit and slice the peaches. Make sure to oil the rack. Place the peaches on the grill and do not move the peaches, otherwise you will not get those fabulous grill marks. Grill 2 to 3 minutes per side. In the interim, stir 2tbs sugar, 2tbs brandy, and 1tbs lemon juice in a medium bowl to blend. Set the brandy mixture aside. When the peaches are ready, remove them from the grill and place them in a shallow baking dish. Top them with the brandy mixture and toss to coat. Set aside for 15 minutes-toss occasionally. Top with vanilla ice cream or mascarpone cheese.

Grilled Bananas

Spray a grill-proof pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. Cut bananas diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange, overlapping, in the pie plate. Combine 3tbs brown sugar, 1tsp cinnamon, and 1tsp nutmeg in small bowl, then sprinkle over the bananas and add 2tbs of cut margarine pieces over the bananas. Cover pie plate tightly with foil. Place on the grill, covered, for about 10 to 15 minutes or until bananas are tender and hot. Carefully remove foil and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon lime juice. Serve with low-fat frozen yogurt.

Grilled Pineapple

Peel and cut a pineapple crosswise into rings, about 1/2-inch each. Use a spoon or apple corer to carve out the center core of each ring, so you remove the hard center. Spray a the grill with cooking spray and grill the pineapple for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until grill marks appear. Heat the 2tbs of butter, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of rum in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. You can do this over the grill. Place a pineapple ring on each plate, scoop ice cream into the center of the ring, and drizzle sauce on top.

Super yum.

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Image Credit: mccum934 via Creative Commons

This Memorial Day Weekend is a great time to grill hamburgers, hot dogs, steak and chicken. Yet, there are so many other foods that can add some variety to the grilling season.

A favorite of mine are side dishes that can add some BBQ flare. I have already shared some fabulous grilled appetizers, and tomorrow I’ll dish the dessert, but today, let’s sauce up some sides.

Side Dishes

Nothing perks up a burger or puts pizazz into a hot dog than a rockin’ side dish, but you don’t want to be in the house using pots and pans when the grilling action is outdoors. So take the sides outside and make them on the grill.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Instead of corn-on-the-cob boiled in a vat of water, cut the ear of corn in half so you have two smaller sizes. Soak them in water for about 15 minutes. Then skewer each and place on the grill to cook. So tasty.

Grilled Peach and Onion Salad

Peaches are a great grilling side. Peel them, slice them, cook them on the grill, then add them to a bowl. Mix in chopped red onion and basil, and toss with salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil to taste. Fresh and fun.

Red Bliss Mint Salad

Make those baby reds like you would for an old-fashioned potato salad, but skip the mayo. Instead, add cooked peas, chopped mint, salt, pepper and olive oil to suite your tastes.

Super yum, and check in tomorrow for some fun grilled desserts!

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Image Credit: jimmy_earl at stock.xchng