Our very own Chef Andrew Brackner is happy to help you take your grilling technique to the next level this summer, so your family and friends are impressed!

Everyone has their old favorite grilling recipe and technique. What if we could build on those traditions by adding one or two more layers of flavor and texture by adding the delightfully sweet flavor of summer fruits?

“One of my favorite enhancements is to add grilled stone fruit as a garnish or use it as a base for a sauce. Stone fruits are peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, and nectarines. Most of these fruits are sold in stores a little under ripe and are perfect for grilling immediately,” says Chef Andrew.

Tips on Grilling Stone Fruit:

• Slice the fruit in half and remove the stone.
• Lightly brush the exposed side with oil and place on a hot grill directly over the heat source.
• By grilling the fruit you reduce the water content, caramelize the natural sugars, and, in turn, concentrate the flavor.
• Let the fruit brown a little, it may look a little burnt but that is just the sugars caramelizing.
• Only grill the exposed side. There is no need to cook all the way through as your fruit may become mushy.

“One sauce that I have enjoyed is made by taking grilled plums and adding them to port wine with a little rosemary and reducing the wine by half (you may need to add a little additional sugar to the pot depending on the sugar content of the plums, always taste your food). Puree the reduced mixture in a food processor and use as a glaze for grilled pork tenderloin. Use the extra puree as a sauce for the finished tenderloin.”

Even More Fruit Grilling Ideas:

• Dice a medley of grilled fruit and mix with a little sweet chili sauce for a wonderful chutney, as an addition for grilled chicken.
• Grilled cherries can be pureed and used as a substitute for ketchup on ground lamb burgers.  This puree also goes great with a little Boursin cheese!
• Grilled peaches pureed with Dijon mustard make a great sweet, spice, and tangy substitute for the old school yellow mustard.
• Some other fruits that are great for grilling are apples, pineapple, oranges, lemons (great on any grilled seafood), and mango.

Be sure you always grill safely and feel free to contact Chef Andrew with your grilling questions or ideas!