Make Summer Cooking Easier with These 4 Gadgets

Summer is officially here, which means it is time to soak up the sunshine and step away from the stove.  It is the time of year to use the flame of the grill to prepare meals for you and your family and friends.  

With the help of my family and friends, we have the tools to help make quick, easy, and fun meals this summer!  

If you want to get the whole family involved, try…

Metal Kabob Skewers

The whole family can get involved when cooking with kabob skewers!  First, slice a variety of fruits and vegetables (peppers, onions, pineapple) and a protein source (fish, beef or chicken).  Then, let the kids have fun assembling kabobs on the skewers by making different patterns with the food items.  

Margie Cocco is a fan of using skewers in the summertime and stated, “You can make so many different combos so it’s never just the same old thing.”  Cocco also noted your kabob makings can be served over quinoa, brown rice or with a side of corn on the cob to add a starch to your meal.  Not only is using the metal kabob skewers quick and easy to prepare a meal, they are also super quick and easy to clean up.  

If you want to plan ahead, try…

Burger Press 

A burger press is a great way to take your meat of choice (beef, pork or turkey) and prepare consistent sized burgers to allow for portion control; as well as, making cooking time the same for them all on the grill.  Lisa Tretter states, “I make these (burgers) in large batches and then freeze them at the start of the summer.  We are ready to entertain in a snap and also have an easy dinner ready, which keeps us from ordering take-out when short on time.” 

Tretter also shared her favorite turkey burger recipe. “Mix minced sautéed mushrooms into the turkey mix before forming the patties.  It will sneak some plants in and keep your turkey burger flavorful and moist.  You won’t even taste the mushrooms!”  

If you want to step it up a notch, try… 

Cast Iron Pan 

Yes, you read this right.  We are using the cast iron pan on the grill when cooking turkey or beef burgers.  Why?  Austin Vasko expressed this cooking method adds great sear to the burger and “takes turkey burgers up a notch.” Vasko also stated, “Get it (cast iron pan) piping hot, then press the handmade patties onto it.  One flip, and then add the cheese. Finish it on the top rack for a couple more minutes to melt the cheese.”  

If you are wondering what temperature your burgers internal temperature should be or other BBQ safety tips, check out our previous blog: BBQ Food Safety Tips 

If you want to add more veggies to your meal, try…

Grilling Basket

The grilling basket is a great way to prepare veggies during the summer months when the grill is already on.  Shelby Burns stated, “I like to throw a mix of veggies (zucchini, squash, peppers and onions) with a little bit of olive oil and a mix of seasonings right on the grill.”  This basket can also be used for cooking potatoes too!  

Don’t have a grilling basket or don’t want to buy one?  No problem!  Lisa Tretter noted she prepares her veggies the same way but adds them into a foil pouch by placing the veggies in the center of a piece of foil and folding over the edges until sealed shut.  This method is just as quick and easy but also simplifies the clean up time.  Tretter stated, “clean up is a breeze!  Just throw the packet away when you are done.”  

Now it’s your turn to step outside to your grill and try one of these gadgets to make cooking this summer, quick, easy, and fun!  Let us know what you try or if you have another cooking tool that should be added to our list.  Also shout-out to my family and friends for contributing!!

Cheers to summer nights of eating right with your family and friends,