Yeah, You Can Grill That – Thanksgiving Recipes!

I love cooking Thanksgiving dinner almost as much as I love eating it. I start planning my menu and shopping list weeks in advance. I print out and write down recipes, and write up a game plan to make sure everything gets brined, rubbed, chopped, mixed and put in the oven and just the right time so that it’s all ready to go when dinner is served.

Unfortunately, like most of you, my love of cooking seriously outmatches my kitchen space, equipment and manpower. If I had two or three ovens, eight stovetop burners, and a few assistants, I could probably have everything ready to eat at precisely 7:00 PM. Instead, I can’t start cooking the dressing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes or anything else that goes into the oven until the turkey comes out – which means it has to sit for about an hour and a half. I have potatoes boiling, vegetables steaming and gravy cooking on the stove, and there’s always at least one more pot than there are burners. Something is going to have to go in the microwave.

So this year, I’m taking advantage of my outdoor cooking space – my grill and my smoker. I’m going to smoke the turkey and ham over apple wood. I’m going to grill the macaroni and cheese, the Brussels sprouts with bacon and blue cheese, and the asparagus. And that will leave plenty of time and space for everything else to cook inside.

If you’re looking to free up some space in your oven or on your stovetop, or you just want to add some grill flavor to this year’s Thanksgiving, you can’t go wrong with any of these recipes:

Turkey breast – I haven’t cooked a full turkey on the grill yet (I’m sure it’s possible, and will attempt when the stakes aren’t quite as a high as Thanksgiving). But in the meantime, if you’re cooking for a smaller group, you can’t go wrong with this recipe for grilled turkey breast. It’s juicy and tender, with a great (but not overpowering) smoky flavor.

 

Sweet Potatoes – They may get overshadowed by the turkey, stuffing (or in the south, dressing) and gravy, but it just isn’t Thanksgiving without sweet potatoes. These sweet potatoes can be made quickly and easily on the grill, with the delicious brown sugar sauce you’d expect.

Macaroni and Cheese – Gooey, cheesy, bubbly and delicious, this recipe for macaroni and cheese cooked on the grill simply can’t be beat.

 

Potato and Sweet Potato Gratin – Want to mix things up? Instead of (or maybe in addition to) traditional mashed potatoes in one bowl and candied sweet potatoes in another, combine them, add a ton of cheese, and enjoy this awesome recipe for potato and sweet potato gratin.

Vegetables – You can’t go wrong with vegetables cooked on the grill. Any of these grilled vegetables – carrots, asparagus, green beans, corn on the cob, or Brussels sprouts – won’t just taste a lot better than their steamed or boiled brethren, they’ll also free up much-needed space on your stove.

 

Lobster tail – Lobster was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth in 1621, so if you want to go truly authentic this year, try this recipe for buttery, tasty grilled lobster tail.

Chocolate Pecan Bars – Pecan pie is a staple dessert at most Thanksgiving dinners in the south. This recipe has all the sweet, chewy, gooey goodness of pecan pie, plus CHOCOLATE. Oh, and it’s grilled.

 

Potato and Sweet Potato Gratin

Everyone loves potato gratin – cheesy, gooey, a little crispy.  Mixing in sweet potatoes adds an extra layer of flavor.  And of course, it’s even better grilled.  Cooking the potato and sweet potato gratin on the grill adds an extra smoky flavor and crispiness on the top and bottom you just can’t get in the oven.   So give this recipe for potato and sweet potato gratin a try!

Ingredients:

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
1 ½ pounds sweet potatoes
2 cups milk
1 cup whipping cream
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Slice the potatoes and sweet potatoes thinly.

*Tip: Slicing sweet potatoes can be difficult, even with a sharp knife. I learned this lesson the hard way when I almost lost the tip of my finger.  To make them easier to slice, microwave them for about 30-45 seconds.  This softens them up just enough to cut them easily but not enough to really cook them.
2. Bring milk, cream, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme to a boil.
3. Spread vegetable oil over bottom of cast iron pan.
4. Place layer of gold potatoes across bottom of pan, then a layer of sweet potatoes.

5. Pour some of the milk mixture over potatoes, then sprinkle one cup of cheese over the top.
6. Add the rest of the potatoes in one layer, then the rest of the sweet potatoes.  Pour remainder of milk mixture over potatoes, then sprinkle two cups of cheese over the top.
7. Place cast iron pan in center of grill over hot coals.

8. Cook, with grill covered, for 60 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.  Enjoy!

If you like this recipe, please be sure to click on the links below to share it! And don’t forget to follow @youcangrillthat on Twitter!

Sweet potatoes? Yeah, you can grill that.

Sweet potatoes are delicious.  They’re also a super-food.  Best of all, you can grill them.  I’ll be experimenting with some different sweet potato recipes (and will definitely accept suggestions), but here’s one to get started.

Ingredients:

Sweet potatoes
Butter or margarine
Brown sugar
Salt
Pepper
Rosemary

Directions:

1.  While coals are getting hot, chop sweet potatoes into bite-sized pieces.  Lay out one square of aluminum foil for each serving.  Place one serving of potatoes in the center of each piece of foil.
2. Sprinkle potatoes with salt, pepper, rosemary, and brown sugar, all to taste.  Add a pad of butter or margarine to each.
3. Fold in sides of foil to form a ball, and place on grill.  Cook over medium heat, covered, without turning.  Cook for about 20-25 minutes for firmer potatoes, 25-30 minutes if you’d like them softer.  Remove from heat and enjoy.

I served with grilled rib eye and grilled carrots (recipe here).

If you like this recipe, please be sure to click on the links below to share it! And don’t forget to follow @youcangrillthat on Twitter!