Top Trends for Summer Barbecues

Sweet-Savory Rubs
While we weren’t surprised to find that the sweet-savory flavor palate is dominating barbecues this summer, we were surprised by some of the ingredients that go into sweet-savory marinades and rubs. One such ingredient being cola, which The Neely’s from the Food Network use in their Sweet Cola Ribs recipe and swear by: “The smoke and indirect heat will leave you with deliciously tender ribs while the cola packs a punch of unexpected sweetness.”

Simple Fish Dishes
When it comes to grilling fish, you’ll need a sturdy fish that can stand up to the heat of the grill without falling apart. To that end, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better fish to grill than tuna. This recipe from Men’s Health is simplistic, yet delicious: add kosher salt, allspice, coriander, cinnamon, zest of an orange, and fresh tarragon.

Grilled Kale
Kale seems to be just about everywhere and with good reason: it’s a versatile vegetable that can be used in salads, smoothies, and even sautéed as a side dish. Now chefs are even grilling kale! To grill kale simply add a little olive oil and salt, and place on the grill to crisp the edges, then turn to crisp the other side as well. That’s it!

Grilling Fruit for Savory Desserts
In an interview with Equinox, Chef Mar explains that she adds strawberries to the grill before adding them to her strawberry shortcake dessert. Mar explains, “I love that sweet-savory balance in desserts, and grilling strawberries adds a certain complexity to them that rounds out the dish.”