Grill Master 101: Three Delicious and Easy Side Dishes

Having a great barbecue means more than a mean steak or some grilled chicken. You've got to fill the other half of the plate with something. Enter these three tasty and easy to pull off side dishes that will really prove your grill mastery.

Summer is here and the time is right for grilling in the yard. Every night the aroma of meat cooking over an open flame overwhelms your neighborhood, and it’s time that you got in on the action. There is always the quick and easy option of hamburgers and hotdogs, but let’s be honest, anyone can do that. A man should not be afraid to go outside of his comfort zone, particularly when it comes to cooking.

Now that you know your grill safety and how to light a charcoal grill, we here at Primer have come up with a crash course in grilling that begins with side dishes..

No meal is complete without a decent side dish. Many grillers either forgo the sides or just toss some rice in a pot on the stove. That’s fine every once and awhile, but why not show off your manly grilling prowess by whipping up your sides on the grill along with the main course?

Here are three crowd-pleasers that will have your guests wanting to kiss the cook:

Grilled peppers on grill

Bells on the Barbie

Ingredients:

  • Bell Peppers – at least two pounds worth, and get a variety of colors
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp coarse salt
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Feta Cheese

Directions:

  1. Mix garlic, salt, olive oil, vinegar and black pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Chop the peppers. I usually go with a mix of rings and strips.
  3. Put peppers in a large sealable bag and pour in your marinade. Shake it up so all of the ingredients can become friends. Marinade for a few hours.
  4. Put peppers, smooth side down, on the hot grill.
  5. Cook until you have some decent grill marks on each side, roughly eight minutes.
  6. Sprinkle a little Feta on top and enjoy!

Thyme potatoes on grill

Garlic Thyme Potatoes

Ingredients:

  • 4 decent-sized Yukon gold potatoes
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped thyme leaves
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Put large saucepan with water on high heat.
  2. Peel and slice potatoes, about finger thickness.
  3. After water is at a slow boil, add potatoes, boil for about 7-10 minutes.
  4. Combine EVOO, garlic, thyme, and a bit of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Remove the ‘taters while still firm and toss in the bowl with the seasonings.
  6. Grill, turning once, remove once you have decent grill marks.

Grilled Tuscany Bread

Ingredients:

  • 2 small Boboli pizza breads
  • EVOO
  • 1 meaty tomato, diced
  • 2 slices of onion, about ¾”
  • ¼ cup of chopped fresh basil
  • 2 roasted red bell peppers, rough chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Several chunks mozzarella cheese
  • Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste

Directions:

  1. Brush both sides of bread with EVOO.
  2. Mix all ingredients (except cheese) and spread evenly over the breads.
  3. Top with cheese and drizzle with more EVOO.
  4. Grill on low to medium heat until cheese melts (don’t burn the bottom).

There you have it! Three tasty side dishes cooked on the grill. Check back soon for three of the simplest and most delicious meat recipes for the grill you will ever have the pleasure of tasting.

Patrick Wittwer

Patrick is a jack of all trades currently based in Philadelphia. Not one for sitting still, he fills his free time with writing, photography, and traveling. You can find more from Patrick on his blog: http://thewhatzine.blogspot.com/.