Summer is the season our thoughts go to cooking outdoors – grilling.

We are all familiar with cooking meat on the grill – juicy steaks, hamburgers and tangy ribs. But how about some lighter fare?

Here are three lighter recipes for summer grilling – a salmon with citrus flavored sauce, grilled vegetables and a light grilled halibut (or any solid white fish) with a herb and lemon flavored crust.

So any time you are in the mood for something a bit different and a little on the lighter side, try these out.

Grilled Citrus Salmon

1/4 cup honey garlic barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons melted butter
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste
hot pepper flakes (optional)
2 pounds salmon fillet, one large fillet or individual portions (works best with one large fillet)

Preheat the grill to medium high and grease well. Pierce a piece of nonstick foil several times and place on a baking sheet. Stir the barbecue sauce with the other ingredients (except the salmon). Put the salmon on the foil, skin side down.

Brush half the sauce mixture over the salmon. Slide the foil on to the grate. Cook, covered, without turning for 15 to 17 minutes or until salmon is cooked but still slightly cook in the center. Brush with the remaining sauce mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

To serve, slice salmon into portions and use a thick metal spatula to remove from the portions from the foil. Leave the skin behind. Garnish with added chives if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Cedar Plank Version:
Soak an untreated cedar plank in clean water for 2 hours. Place the plank on the grill and preheat for 5 or 10 minutes or until wood begins smoking. Place the salmon on the cedar and proceed as directed above. Use skinless salmon for best results.

Grilled Vegetable Platter

1/2 cup garlic and herb flavor barbecue sauce (or your favorite marinade)
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter or olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dry)
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon of dry)
3/4 pound each of small red and white potatoes
4 cobs corn, cut in half or thirds if larger
1 pound assorted summer squash such as green or yellow zucchini or patty pan squash

Whisk the marinade or barbecue sauce with the butter, parsley and thyme until well combined. Reserve.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Working in batches, blanch the potatoes for about 10 minutes. Blanch the corn for 2 minutes. As the vegetables are finished, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large bowl of water to chill. Drain well and pat dry. Toss all the vegetables with the marinade mixture until evenly coated.

Preheat the grill to medium high. Grill the potatoes corn and squash, turning as needed and basting with any remaining marinade. As vegetables become tender, remove from the grill to a warm platter or bowl. Tent the cooked vegetable platter with foil until all vegetables are cooked.

Makes 6 servings.

Grilled Halibut with Lemon-Herb Crust

3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 pound halibut fillets, about 1/2″ thick, skin left on
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add butter and toss with a fork to form a crumbly mixture. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise and tarragon.

Arrange the fish, skin side down, on a platter. Spread each fillet with the mayonnaise mixture. Press crumbs mixture onto each fillet.

Preheat barbecue on high for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Arrange fillets on barbecue skin side down. Lower lid and cook until fish flakes easily with a fork and topping is browned, about 10-12 minutes. Drizzle lemon juice over each fillet and serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

You will find more wonderful summer recipes on the main site www.CookingNook.com.

Plank Cooking The Essence of Natural Wood

From elegant restaurants to backyard grills, the ancient method of cooking food on a wooden plank is a cooking style that’s rapidly growing in popularity. When it comes to capturing the essence of natural wood and unparalleled texture in meats, vegetables, and other culinary delights nothing compares to plank cooking.

In Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood, globe-trotting authors, Scott & Tiffany Haugen, share some of the world’s most exquisite flavors. Thai red curry prawns, Achiote pork roast, pesto couscous stuffed chicken, and caramelized bananas are just a few of the unique recipes brought to life in this fully illustrated, one-of-a-kind book. In the oven or on a grill, plank cooking is fun and simple. This book outlines how to master the art of plank cooking–from seasoning planks to detailed cooking tips in over 100 easy-to-follow recipes. Though exotic tastes prevail, the ingredients used in this book are easy to find in most grocery stores. So whether you’re hosting a large backyard BBQ, or just trying to satisfy the finicky eaters in your family, you will find many great meals in Plank Cooking: The Essence of Natural Wood.