The Grill Gets Cozy: End-of-Summer Comfort Food

Summer may be winding down, but there’s no reason to put the grill away just yet.

There’s something special about those late-August and September evenings in Nova Scotia. The air gets a little cooler, the days get a little shorter, and suddenly we start craving food that’s warm, hearty and comforting.

But before you trade your BBQ for the oven, consider giving your grill a new job.

Your grill can do so much more than burgers and steaks. With a cast-iron skillet, griddle or a little creativity, you can turn it into an outdoor kitchen for some of your favourite comfort foods.

Here are five delicious ways to keep cooking outside as summer turns toward fall.

Smoky Maple BBQ Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are perfect for the grill. They stay juicy, take on plenty of smoky flavour and pair beautifully with a sweet-and-savory maple glaze.

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the maple glaze:

• ⅓ cup maple syrup

• ¼ cup BBQ sauce

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

Directions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.

2. Pat the chicken thighs dry and toss them with olive oil and the spices.

3. In a small saucepan or bowl, combine the maple syrup, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, vinegar and smoked paprika.

4. Grill the chicken for approximately 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness.

5. During the final few minutes of cooking, brush generously with the maple glaze, turning once or twice to build up a sticky, caramelized coating.

6. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

The Fire Place tip: Make extra glaze. It's fantastic brushed over grilled vegetables or used as a dipping sauce.

Grilled Cast-Iron Mac & Cheese

Mac & cheese is the definition of comfort food—and making it on the grill gives it an irresistible smoky edge.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked macaroni

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 cups milk

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1 tbsp melted butter

• 2 tbsp chopped green onion or chives

Directions

1. Preheat your grill to approximately 375°F.

2. Place a cast-iron skillet on the grill and melt the butter.

3. Stir in the flour and cook for about one minute.

4. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth. Continue cooking until the sauce begins to thicken.

5. Reduce the heat and stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, Dijon and garlic powder.

6. Season with salt and pepper.

7. Stir in the cooked macaroni.

8. Combine the panko with the melted butter and sprinkle over the top.

9. Close the grill lid and cook for 10–15 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top.

10. Finish with chopped green onion or chives.

Want to take it up a notch? Add crispy bacon, pulled pork, diced jalapeños or a little smoked Gouda.

Grilled Mexican-Style Street Corn

Sweet corn is one of the great pleasures of late summer, and grilling it brings out even more of its natural sweetness.

Ingredients

• 6 ears of corn, husks removed

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Juice of 1 lime

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese

• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.

2. Grill the corn for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes until lightly charred all over.

3. Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lime juice and smoked paprika.

4. Spread the mixture over the hot corn.

5. Sprinkle generously with cheese and cilantro.

6. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and a little salt and pepper.

The Fire Place tip: Don't worry about getting a little char on the corn. Those browned, smoky bits are exactly what you're looking for.

Loaded Grilled Potatoes

Think baked potato meets backyard BBQ.

These are easy, indulgent and can be customized for whatever you have in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs baby potatoes, halved

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

• 2 green onions, sliced

• Sour cream

• Optional: jalapeños, pulled pork or leftover grilled chicken

Directions

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.

2. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

3. Place the potatoes in a grill basket or heavy-duty foil packet.

4. Grill for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and nicely browned.

5. Transfer to a cast-iron skillet or grill-safe dish.

6. Top with cheddar and bacon.

7. Close the grill lid for another 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

8. Finish with green onions and a generous spoonful of sour cream.

The best part? Put all the toppings out and let everyone build their own.

Grilled Cinnamon-Maple Apples

And because every great comfort-food dinner needs dessert, finish things off right on the grill.

Warm apples, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla ice cream might just be the perfect September combination.

Ingredients

• 4 large apples, such as Honeycrisp, Gala or Granny Smith

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 3 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp vanilla

• Pinch of salt

• Vanilla ice cream

• Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat, around 350–375°F.

2. Core the apples and cut them into thick wedges.

3. Toss the apples with melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt.

4. Place directly on the grill and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until tender and caramelized.

5. Remove from the grill and drizzle with a little extra maple syrup.

6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and chopped nuts.

The Fire Place tip: If you have a cast-iron skillet, you can cook the apples in the skillet right on the grill for an even softer, more caramelized dessert.

Keep the Grill Going

There’s a temptation to think of the BBQ as a summer-only appliance, but some of the best outdoor cooking happens when the weather starts to cool.

A warm meal, a glass of something good, a few friends or family around the table—and the grill working away nearby.

That's the beauty of outdoor cooking. It isn't really about the season. It's about making the most of the time you have together.

So before you officially declare summer over, fire up the grill and try something a little different.

Summer may be winding down. Your grilling season doesn't have to.

Visit The Fire Place for Napoleon grills, outdoor cooking accessories and everything you need to keep enjoying your backyard well into the fall.