HOLIDAY GRILLED APPETIZER IDEAS

The holidays are best enjoyed with the company of friends and family. Good food and lots of laughter always makes for the perfect get together. Why not spark thing up a bit this year and prepare some food on the grill?! Just because there's a chill in the air, it doesn't mean you have to neglect the grill. So grab your winter coat and a friend or family member, get outside and get grilling! Take a look at some of our favorite holiday crowd-pleasers.

Grilled Pineapple

What you need: Pineapple, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon

Directions: Preheat grill for medium-low heat. Cut fresh pineapple into slices or wedges. Whisk together melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and brush both sides of pineapple with the mixture. Place on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until pineapple becomes tender. Optional Suggestion: Try other fruits such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Cook using a grill basket to contain smaller fruits.

Grilled Brie

What you need: Brie wheel, olive oil, foil, strawberries, French bread, balsamic vinegar (optional)

Directions: Preheat grill for medium-low heat. Place Brie wheel on a sheet of foil and drizzle with olive oil. Top with chopped strawberries and and completely cover with the foil. Grill for 5-10 minutes or until melted. Serve immediately with warm French bread. Optional suggestion: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates

What you need: Whole dates, Manchego cheese, bacon, salt, pepper, toothpicks

Directions: Prepare the grill for medium indirect heat. Slice eat date, remove pit and fill with Manchego cheese. Wrap a slice of uncooked bacon around the date and secure with a toothpick. Trim any excess bacon and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the bacon wrapped dates on the grill over indirect heat, flipping occasionally. Cook until the bacon is cooked through and crispy. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Grilled Garlic Shrimp Skewers

What you need: Peeled shrimp, presoaked skewers, melted butter, garlic, olive oil, salt, Special Formula No. 4 Hot Sauce (optional)

Directions: Prepare the grill for high heat. Thread peeled shrimp on the skewers and drizzle with olive oil. Add a dash a salt and place on the grill. Cook for 2 minutes per side and remove from grill. Immediately brush with melted garlic butter and serve. Optional suggestion: Spice things up by adding a few dashes of Special Formula No. 4 Hot Sauce to the garlic butter mixture.

Grilled Skirt Steak Skewers

What you need: Skirt steak, choice of marinade, presoaked skewers

Directions: Prepare grill for high heat. Slice the skirt steak across the grain into strips and marinade for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Thread each strip onto presoaked skewers and cook over direct heat for 3-4 minutes per side.