Maybe you’re getting together with friends for the 4th, and you want to serve something a little different and creative. Or you’re celebrating summer with dinner on the terrace, and you want to do something easy, but a little bit unexpected. Or maybe you’re invited to a picnic, and you don’t want to bring the same old same old again. Relax. We’ve got you. Here are four fresh ideas for outdoor summer dining that we’re loving every bite of.
Pizza on the Grill
Turning your BBQ grill into a pizza oven will definitely be a conversation starter. But don’t be surprised if it’s an annual summer tradition starter, too. The smoky infusion brings a unique flavor to pizza that traditional oven baking just can’t match. To start, preheat your grill to a high temperature, around 500°F. You can cook your pizza directly on the grates, or use a pizza stone, pizza steel, or a cast-iron skillet. (This distributes heat evenly and keeps your dough from burning.) Either way, roll out your pizza dough, place it on a prepared pizza peel, and add your favorite sauce, cheese and toppings, Once the grill is ready, place the pizza on the stone, skillet or grates, and close the BBQ lid. After a few minutes, the crust will begin to bubble and develop a golden-brown color. Keep checking for doneness, and within 10-15 minutes, you'll have a crispy, smoky, summery pizza, perfect for making outdoor dining memories.
Check Out Our Grilled Pizza Recipe Here
Viking Steak
With a name inspired by the hearty and rustic culinary traditions of the Viking Age (or maybe by the enormous size of a Viking’s appetite), a Viking steak will be a big hit at your next gathering of meat eaters. It’s a very large thick-cut ribeye with a long rib bone, so it’ll be at its best if you salt it generously before you put it on the grill. Sear it for 3-4 minutes, and then flip it and sear the other side. Now, turn off one side of the grill, transfer the steak to that area, and use medium heat to maintain a grill temperature of 375°. Finish cooking the steak for 20-30 minutes or until its internal temperature reaches 130°. Sure, you can also finish cooking it in the oven if you prefer, but what fun is that on a beautiful summer night? Do the Viking warriors proud and cook your giant steak with fire.
Learn to Cook a Viking Steak Here
Mexican Steet Corn (aka: Elote)
This iconic Mexican street food is a slightly spicy, salty, sweet, rich and creamy break from your typical corn on the cob. Grill whole ears of corn until they’re charred and smoky (this enhances the natural sweetness of the kernels.) Then generously slather them with a mayonnaise-based crema sparked with as much chile spice as you like, roll it in crumbly cotija cheese, and top with fresh cilantro (optional of course, if you’re not a cilantro person.) A squeeze of lime brightens the overall flavor with a pop of citrusy tang.
Marinated Fish Fillets and Meat Skewers
Summer calendars fill up fast, and sometimes there’s no time to chop and prep. So on nights like that, stop by our meat department and pick up some of Our Own pre-marinated skewers or fish fillets. Choose from chicken, lamb or beef—in any one of our legendary house marinades, from sweet and savory Yakiniku to rich Korean Kalbi, to fresh, flavorful Cilantro Lime, and more. Bring them home or wherever you’re cooking. Toss them on the grill, the broiler pan or the campfire. Share and enjoy all the time you get to spend with your favorite people.