Share a Spoon - Hot Off the Grill

 

<img src="http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu81/Adrienzgirl/Share%20a%20Spoon%20Warm%20the%20Heart/ShareaSpoon5.jpg" border="0" alt="Think Tank Momma"></a>
Share a Spoon
GRILLED EDITION

This week's hot theme is brought to you from THE one and only Duckalicious.  If you don't know The Duck you have been living under a rock you need to head on over and check out her sass.  She's a funny one.
I love grilled food.  I used to be "the grill master".  It was a title I was quite fond of and proud to call mine.  Then one time I was grilling out at my parents' house.  They live in the sticks.  Literally....the sticks.  They have creepy crawlies.  It was hot out (it's FLORIDA) and when I came in I thought sweat was running down the back of my neck.  I went to wipe it away and was instantly stung with pain.  I immediately started hyperventilating looking around for the little black and yellow beast that was sending me immediately to the emergency room.  To my horror, and relief it was no bee, it was a scorpion!
I grabbed some Benadryl and popped two quickly.  Meanwhile my mom called the physician she was working for at the time.  I'm allergic to bee stings and was afraid we needed to drive as quickly as possible to the nearest ER as I don't carry an epi pen.  Doc said I wouldn't necessarily have the same reaction.  I didn't feel my throat or tongue swelling and I could still breathe.  However, I got sick.  Fever, chills, and puking for two days.  Needless to say...I'm no longer the grill master.  I marinade, I brine, I chop, and I skewer.  I do not however stand outside in the heat to fight with the creepy crawlies.
During the summer we enjoy eating lighter.  Most people do I think, but when you live on the surface of the sun, eating light isn't just because you want to look good in bikinis and short shorts.  You eat light because the heat just kills any desire to eat much.
It's not uncommon for us to eat only salad or grilled veggies several nights a week when it's hot.  God love BDC, he doesn't mind braving the heat to fire up the grill in the summer.  When it doesn't fall below 90 degrees until after 10pm, that's saying something.  Have I mentioned I love that man?
I thought I would share my kids' favorite grilled treat this week though.  Their favorite thing from the grill is pineapple.  It's actually fabulous.  I usually pair it up with chicken.

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts1 cup pineapple juice1/2 soy sauce1 lemon juiced and zested1 teaspoon ground ginger1/2 teaspoon garlic powder1/2 teaspoon onion powder1/4 cup brown sugar
In a bowl whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce lemon juice and zest.  Add the spices and whisk until well incorporated.
Liberally salt and pepper the chicken and drizzle with a little olive oil.
In a zip top plastic bag add seasoned chicken and pout the marinade over.  Zip up the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken.  Make sure to coat all the chicken well.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Grill the chicken over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until it's no longer pink.
Grilled Pineapple
1 Ripe Fresh Pineapple1/4 cup brown sugar2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Peel and core the pineapple.  I usually remove the skin.  Cut the pineapple in half.  Cut the halves into quarters.  Then cut the core out on the diagonal leaving the spears.
Sprinkle the spears with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Gently rub the mixture in with your fingertips until all the pineapple is covered.  The brown sugar and cinnamon will become liquefied when mixed with the natural juices of the pineapple.  
Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side.
I usually grill some red onion slices and a red pepper with this.  Chop them and add to some cooked orzo.  Add a vinaigrette and a few fresh cherry tomatoes with fresh chopped parsley or basil for a nice Orzo salad.
We never have left over pineapple.  It's really THAT good cooked this way.
Alright Smackers, that's my grilled story and I'm stickin' to it!  It's your turn to share your grilled masterpieces! Link up and then go visit The Duck!
As always, I'm taking submissions for themes.  What do you want to see recipes for?  Leave it in the comments or email me!