Easy Grilling Recipes for Summer

Summer is (un)officially here! You can take your rules about when summer "starts" and when I'm allowed to wear white pants somewhere else. I'll be busy firing up the grill and savoring these delicious recipes on the patio with friends.

Nix the Plain Jane fries that everyone else serves, and forget trying to use your oven on an 80-degree day. These grilled sweet potatoes are the answer to your picnic wishes and they're nutritional powerhouses, too. Plus, the homemade dipping sauce sounds better than any store-bought variety you could find.

Everything about this meal is grilled! The steak and colored peppers—even the tortillas all get that smoky char on them for the perfect blackened flavor. I love the use of red and orange peppers for their boost of vitamins C and A. You can also try this with chicken for a leaner protein option that cuts down the fat.

These skewers pass right over the typical garlic and lemon shrimp and jump into a sweet and tangy Asian-inspired sauce that only gets better when grilled. You can prep the low-cal skewers (don't forget to soak in water if using wood) ahead of time and pop them on the grill when guests arrive—they only take a few minutes!

Yes, you can grill fruit. Yes, you've been missing out if you haven't already tried it. Peaches, plums, apricots and pluots (a plum-apricot hybrid) were quickly put on a hot grill and served with a dollop of what sounds like fluffy heaven. Caramelized almonds are mixed with mascarpone, almond extract and honey to create a sweet dip for this healthy dessert.