In my humble opinion, a meal is not complete without dessert. So, of course, I had to share some of my favorite “sweet endings” with you.
Grilling fruit may seem like a crazy idea to some, but it actually makes sense when you think about it. Fruit is full of natural sugars that caramelize when grilled. A quick sauce or a scoop of ice cream and you’re done.
There are a few simple rules to grilling fruit. Make sure that you choose fruits that will hold their shape and texture when grilled. Pineapples, bananas, and stone fruits like peaches, plums, and apricots work best. Also, you will need to add a touch of oil to keep the fruit from sticking. I suggest using a neutral-tasting oil like canola oil so the flavor of the fruit takes center stage. Butter can also be used since it will complement the fruit. Never use olive oil. And don’t forget, you always need to start with a clean grill. You don’t want your dessert to taste like last night’s burgers!
A good friend gave me a challenge for this book—create a chocolate dessert for the grill. It took some creativity, but I think you’ll find that my Chocolate-Hazelnut and Banana Panini will satisfy the sweet tooth of every chocoholic at your table!
I also couldn’t help but include a few of my summertime favorites that aren’t off the grill. Desserts like Strawberry Cake, Luscious Lemon Tart225, and Grasshopper Ice-Box Cake are requested over and over again by my family.