8 Healthy Foods to Grill

Warm summer days naturally invite people to run through the sprinklers, drink ice-cold beverages and devour delicious food hot from the barbecue. But it's time to break out of your burger habit. Whether you are a rookie at the grill or possess cooking-with-live-fire prowess, here are eight healthy, grill-worthy foods to add to your repertoire:

Polenta — Grilled polenta makes for a quick side dish or a perfect solution for vegetarians at your barbecue. Cooked and cooled polenta can be cut into thick squares or rounds, brushed with olive oil and reheated for 3-5 minutes on each side on a very hot grill. Top with bruschetta, pesto, or other veggies of choice and you have a savory treat.

Pizza Crust — Believe it or not, the grill is probably the best appliance you have to make pizza. The high, dry heat is perfect for turning a thin crust into a crisp and delicious base for your favorite toppings. Place your dough on a clean, oiled and preheated grill. Fire up the pizza crust for a couple of minutes until the bottom is brown. With tongs, gently flip it over and grill for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and let it cool. Top with your favorite ingredients and return to the preheated grill for about 2-3 minutes.
Salsa — Spice up your store-bought salsa routine with a fresh, smoky homemade version. Head to Sprouts to grab a few colorful tomatoes, jalapeños, a red onion, garlic and cilantro. Cut the veggies in half, drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle them with salt, and toss them in a slotted grill pan. Crank up the heat on the grill and let your veggies cook until they're tender and charred. Pulse them in a blender with a handful of cilantro until your salsa is the consistency you want. Serve warm or cold with your favorite tortilla chips!

Peaches — Peaches are a must for the grill, where quick cooking brings out juiciness and intensifies sweetness. And now is a great time, since California peaches are just coming into season. Start with peaches that are firm with just a little give when you gently squeeze them. Then, cut the peaches in half and pit them. You can grill entire peach halves or cut them into wedges. Cook them over a medium fire on both sides until grill marks show and the peaches are tender. Serve as is, or turn the grilled peaches into a refreshing dessert by pairing them with cool yogurt, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream.
Pineapple — Grilling does wonderful things to pineapple. It caramelizes the sugars, making it even more juicy and delicious. Cut the fruit into spears and place them over direct heat for about 2-3 minutes per side. You'll know they're ready when they are tender with a golden brown color.

Tofu — Tofu is another go-to option for a vegetarian or vegan cookout. It's low in fat, high in protein, healthy and tasty. (Remember our feature story about House Tofu from June of 2011?) When barbecuing tofu, you'll always want to make sure it's well-pressed before you start. Flavor the tofu in your favorite marinade for at least 30 minutes before grilling. And don't forget: Tofu tends to stick to grills, so prepare your barbecue with a non-stick cooking spray or by rubbing it with oil. (TIP: Be sure to use the extra-firm varieties, or you'll have a mess on your hands.)
Romaine Lettuce — Want to change up your Caesar? Rinse and pat dry a head of romaine, and cut it in half lengthwise. Brush the surface of your grill with olive oil and place the lettuce over the heat for about 4 to 5 minutes total, turning occasionally. With a little freshly grated Parmesan, this is an excellent way to start a summer meal al fresco.

Asparagus — Nothing beats the flavor of asparagus coated in olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and quickly grilled. The smoky flavor. The char marks. Tender, but still with a little crunch. Salivating yet? These are seriously good.