Unconventional delights: Desserts that shine on the summer grill

Grilling is mainly associated with sausages, steaks, fish, or vegetables. However, you can also successfully prepare unique desserts on the grill that will add a distinctive character to summer parties. What sweets can we conjure up on the grill?

This sweet and juicy fruit loves thermal processing, gaining even more flavour and aroma.

Before placing the pineapple on the grill, peel it and cut it into medium-thick slices. Brush the slices with caramel sauce (in a small saucepan, melt 30 grams of butter, add 45 grams of brown sugar, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and optionally 60 millilitres of rum, stirring until it becomes a smooth mixture). Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side until the fruit gains a golden colour and caramelized crust. Serve warm with the remaining sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This is short for "something more," reflecting the beloved American dessert whose main ingredient is sweet marshmallows. They are also readily available in Canadian stores in various flavours and shapes.

Traditionally, s’mores are roasted over a campfire, but you can also successfully prepare them on a grill. The task is simple: place a marshmallow and a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker, cover it with another graham cracker, wrap everything in aluminum foil, and bake for a few minutes. The marshmallows should become semi-liquid, and the chocolate must melt.

Like all fruits, peaches are best eaten fresh, as they have the most flavour and aroma. However, you can achieve exciting results by grilling them.

Cut 4-5 peaches in half and remove the pits. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with a teaspoon of vanilla extract, then brush the peach halves with it. Grill for 2-3 minutes on each side until soft and slightly caramelized. Place soft ricotta cheese on each half, garnish with mint leaves, and serve immediately.

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in Canada. They are famous for their impressive nutritional properties and versatility in the kitchen, including their suitability for grilling.

Bananas are cut in half lengthwise without removing the peel. Each half is sprinkled with chopped chocolate (preferably dark) and walnuts. Grill peel-side down for 3-4 minutes until the chocolate melts and the bananas become soft. Serve hot, drizzled with maple syrup before serving.

The fruit of a tree from the tropical regions of South Asia impresses with its creamy, juicy flesh, refreshing flavour, and rich aroma. Mango can be used in many ways and holds up well when grilling.

An exciting idea for a dessert is the fruit in a spicy version: slice the mango and sprinkle it with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper—grill on both sides for a few minutes. Serve drizzled with lime juice and sprinkled with chopped cilantro.

We appreciate it, especially on a hot day, as nothing refreshes as effectively as a slice of juicy watermelon. This delicious fruit can also be used in many other tasty ways, such as... grilling.

A quarter of an hour earlier, cut the fruit into slices about 1 centimetre thick, then brush them with an emulsion of 3 tablespoons of liquid honey and 2 tablespoons of orange, lemon, or lime juice. Place the prepared watermelon on a hot grill. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side. Serve warm with crumbled feta and fresh mint leaves.