Grill, Baby, Grill!!

This weekend was a grilling bonanza!  On the menu: giant burgers, shrimp skewers and grilled veggies. We used the common area picnic tables and grill stands to make our feast. It was kind of like a picnic- we brought paper plates and plastic cups/utensils, prepared everything ahead of time, and then packed it all up in our freezer bag, brought it outside and set up our grilling station. This was our first time grilling together, so it was very exciting!  And also a pity that it took us this long to grill.  Silly us!  In preparation, we went to Lowe's yesterday and picked up what we needed: charcoal, lighter fluid, a lighter, and other miscellaneous grilling items. And even though there was a severe thunderstorm earlier that afternoon, it cleared up beautifully in time for our grilling- blue skies and cool temperatures- just what we needed!

 

The first thing we made were grilled tomatoes, along side shrimp & mushroom skewers. We cut the tomato in half and seasoned with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. We marinated the shrimp overnight in old bay and olive oil. The shrimp were bursty and very tasty (heavy on the old bay), the mushrooms were great. The grilled tomatoes were slightly charred and very juicy. First round, a success!!

 

Towards the end of the shrimp, we put our veggie foil packet on the grill. Inside, we had put some baby shanghai tips (a veggie similar to bok choy), which were tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, rice wine, soy sauce, salt, pepper, sliced garlic and a little bit of sugar. We put it in a foil packet so it could steam while being grilled.  

 

After the shrimp skewers were done, we put on the burgers. Oh, the burgers, how I love you forever!  You are so juicy and delicious and ridiculously oversized!  The burgers were 1/2 pounders, and we seasoned the ground beef with minced garlic, parmesean cheese, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, minced onion, soy sauce, worchestershire sauce and black pepper. We grilled the buns and had a slice of fresh tomato to top the burgers as well. I put ketchup and dijon mustard on my plate and dipped my burger as I ate. AMAZING!! 

For dessert, we toasted marshmallows over the still hot coals. A perfect ending to a fantastic dinner!