Fire Up Your Brain With a Delicious Grilled Meal

One of my favorite things about summer in Iowa is the Farmer’s Market, especially the one here in Cedar Rapids. It covers several blocks and is filled with everything from local wines to artisanal breads, handmade furniture from local wood to homemade cookies and sweets.

What I love the most about any Farmer’s Market is the fresh off the vine vegetables and fruits. Lush, juicy tomatoes; sweet corn bursting with flavor; red, delicious strawberries; green beans, potatoes, onions that taste amazing. I could go on! The Farmer’s Market has also become the place for locally grown and sourced meats like pork (can you say IOWA?).

Fresh vegetables and meat on the grill is a feast for the senses. There’s something incredibly satisfying about grilling.

The smell of grilling meats and vegetables
The snap, crackle, and pop of coals burning
The red flames of the grill fire
Beautiful grill marks on your food
The ooey-gooey warmth of toasted S’mores
The unctuous taste of a grilled hamburger or hot dog on a toasted bun

Plus, grilling is such an easy way to eat gluten free, brain friendly food. The grill demands fresh produce and meat. It also requires some timing. We have a liberal use of alarms and sticky notes when we grill or smoke food.

Below are links to recipes for one our favorite summertime meals. I love to use as much fresh produce as possible for all the recipes.

I am experimenting with my first ever kitchen container herb garden and used all fresh herbs for the recipes. It took each one to a new taste level.

I planted chives, dill, cilantro, basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, and rosemary in the herb pots. And you know when those tomatoes ripen we are going to be feasting on caprese` salads and BLTs (with GF bread of course).