8 Unlikely Grill Foods

"Sure, let's throw it on the grill," is a phrase often heard around this time of year. While the foods being referred to tend to stay in the realm of burgers, hot dogs, steak, and chicken, there are plenty of grilling options out there. And no, I'm not just talking about grilling asparagus or corn (even though they're both delicious) or cooking fish instead of meat (again, another great option). I'm talking about foods you would never think of laying on those hot grates and branding with beautiful grill marks.

For instance, would you have ever imagined making Sunday brunch outside by grilling up some French toast? Or chowing down on barbecued lettuce? (It tastes better than it sounds.) The grill imparts a nice smoky flavor and char to foods, and more ingredients than you'd think benefit from this addition.

Sure, you could probably throw a griddle or a pan onto the grill and cook just about anything, but what about unusual foods you can just 'throw on'?

We've compiled a few of our favorites and asked two cooking enthusiasts, the Food Network's Aaron McCargo and Sam the Cooking Guy, for their most surprising items to grill. From grilled watermelon topped with smoky salt to grilled meatballs, we have plenty of new and exciting options for you to wow your friends and family with this cookout season.

Below, the 8 Unlikely Grill Foods slideshow.

- Yasmin Fahr, The Daily Meal

More from The Daily Meal:
Chefs' Tips for Healthy Grilling
10 Crazy Potato Chip Flavors
Kitchen Fantasies: High-End Grilling Equipment
12 Bizarre Beverage Flavors
Our Favorite Grilling Recipes

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Pizza

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"I think pizza is one of those great things that really benefits from being cooked on the grates outside," says Sam Zien. He usually takes raw pizza dough that he buys from Whole Foods ("It's cheap, it's all done, and you don't have to mess with all the flour and dough.") He says to take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you use it to let the glutens relax, throw oil on a baking sheet, put the dough down, and it will stretch out nicely. You can also grill the raw dough then, when it's almost finished, top it with your favorite cheese and make a delicious cheese bread to snack on. (Another favorite of Zien's.) Click here to see the grilled breakfast pizza recipe. Related: Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Tour

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"I think pizza is one of those great things that really benefits from being cooked on the grates outside," says Sam Zien. He usually takes raw pizza dough that he buys from Whole Foods ("It's cheap, it's all done, and you don't have to mess with all the flour and dough.") He says to take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you use it to let the glutens relax, throw oil on a baking sheet, put the dough down, and it will stretch out nicely.

You can also grill the raw dough then, when it's almost finished, top it with your favorite cheese and make a delicious cheese bread to snack on. (Another favorite of Zien's.)

Click here to see the grilled breakfast pizza recipe.

Related: Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Tour

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Comments

[deweydecimal]

11:51 AM on 06/03/2011

Spanish mackerel drizzled with olive oil and garlic grills fabulously, it becomes smokey

[SteveDenver]

05:59 PM on 05/31/2011

Okay Foodies, here's a fun one: gather a dozen heads of garlic (it's cheaper at Asian and Mexican markets), cut off the pointed end and douse with olive oil. Wrap loosely in tin foil and put on the grill after everything else has been cooked and turn off the flame or disperse the coals. Pierce the foil many times with a knife, chopstick or kabob skewer. Let it sit in the grill for an hour and you have a highly elevated version of roasted garlic.

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

01:33 PM on 05/29/2011

Fruit is amazing on a grill. Pineapple, in particular.

I have never heard of French toast on the grill - very tempting!

[SteveDenver]

05:59 PM on 05/31/2011

Peaches!

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

09:22 PM on 05/31/2011

Mmm-mmm - that sounds good! Good call, Steve!

Somebody light up the grill...

[jaredbrain]

10:34 AM on 05/29/2011

I love the way the cut the pineapple in that picture. Reminds me of a fish filet or something. I'm definitely stealing that and claiming it as my own.

[lecturenotes2]

10:35 PM on 05/28/2011

What is a recipe to make veggie burgers from scratch for grilling?

[jaredbrain]

10:33 AM on 05/29/2011

a simple way is to just grill a portabello mushroom in place of the meat. or you can put a can of drained black beans , a small onion (diced and cooked), garlic or garlic powder, a bit of flour and bread crumbs to a food processor and get it to a good consistency (so it clumps together and holds a shape). or put the ingredients in a bowl and mash them by hand.
That's a very basic black bean burger recipe but it's great. a slice of tomato on top and you're golden

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

01:34 PM on 05/29/2011

Sounds good to me!! :-)

[benji85]

12:14 PM on 05/28/2011

Swamp cabbage (heart of palm) is great, it's just too bad that it kills the tree to harvest.

[msgruvn]

10:47 PM on 05/29/2011

hi benji85-thanks for the info on the harvest method-i'm ashamed to admit that i never even thought about it before. i have purchased these a few times in the past for salads, and will enjoy the last 1/2 jar tonight on the grill-they are ok, but not good enough to kill the tree.

[Sara Lira]

03:06 AM on 05/28/2011

Unfortunately I do not own a grill so I'll just have to dream about grilled corn with salt and lemon...

[travelingblogger]

09:47 PM on 05/27/2011

Flatbread is great grilled. So are herbs like basil and oregano. Gives a bit of a smokey flavor to whatever you're using the herbs in.

If there's a smoker, I'll smoke pepperjack or mozzarella cheese with applewood chips, and smoke dark chocolate and raspberries with cherrywood chips.

[Bucket-Of-Love]

04:23 AM on 05/30/2011

F* yeah, smoked dark chocolate. Now you got my attention.

[wm1]

09:04 PM on 05/27/2011

No, I do not want my lettuce to taste like BBQ smoke. The lettuce should provide balance to the smoke charred patty. Nothing in moderation your motto? Do not forget the liquid smoke.

[angelv]

11:59 PM on 05/27/2011

A grilled romaine Caesar salad is delish.

[towny]

03:29 PM on 05/27/2011

I am thankful for the long weekend. I am going to try a few of these

[Demarcus Jackson]

02:00 PM on 05/27/2011

Yummy :-)

[Finnegans Wake]

12:08 PM on 05/27/2011

I've done 4 of those 8...

[klbrz]

12:21 PM on 05/27/2011

Guessing pizza, haloumi cheese (love that stuff), fruit, lettuce?

I like the idea of the french toast and the meatballs. Those need to go on my to do list.

[Finnegans Wake]

12:32 PM on 05/27/2011

Pizza, romaine (awesome), fruit, and meatballs.

[Bucket-Of-Love]

04:24 AM on 05/30/2011

Haloumi rocks. Nothing like it (that I know of).