12 Unexpected Foods to Cook on the Grill

July 19, 2016 Outdoor Cooking

July is really bringing the heat, so this summer when it comes to cooking, we thought we would beat the heat and keep it outside (where it belongs).  So turn off your stoves and ovens and fire up the grill.  We made a hot list of 12 ideas for unlikely, but tasty foods you can cook on your outdoor grill instead of the stove!

Let’s bring the heat …

grilling on the patio

Grilled Bacon

Cut the greasy mess and leave the calories dripping into your grill … healthier and less mess.

Ingredients

1 lb. thick-cut bacon
1 cup Chopped Parsley
1 Tbsp. Chopped Garlic
1 Tbsp. Chopped Shallots
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Fine Sea Salt
Freshly-cracked black pepper

Directions

Whisk together all ingredients. Set aside.

Grill 1/8” thick-cut, smoked bacon on both sides until done (5 to 6 minutes on each side over medium-high heat).

Serve with 2 tbsp. of the bacon dressing mixture and finish with sherry vinegar making sure there is a little vinegar on the plate.

Grilled Pizza

Pizza recipe

Sounds amazingly delicious, right?  Try our Recipe of the Month from a few months ago, it’s amazing!

Grilled Avocados

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil, or as needed

1 pinch ground chipotle pepper, or more to taste
1 pinch chili powder, or more to taste
4 avocados, halved and pitted

Directions

Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.

Whisk olive oil, ground chipotle pepper, and chili powder together in a bowl; brush over the entire surface of the cut-side of each avocado.

Grill avocados, cut-side down, on the preheated grill until grill-lines begin to form on the avocado flesh, about 5 minutes.

Grilled Caesar Salad (yes, we said salad)

Ingredients

1 head romaine lettuce, root end removed
Olive oil, as needed
Kosher salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Dressing

1 egg yolk
2 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained (optional)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Kosher salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/2 c. oil (olive, canola, or a mix of the two)
Grilled bread cubes, for croutons
Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions

  1. Rinse romaine and let dry. Cut into thick chunks; then toss the lettuce pieces in olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste. Brush a grill pan with additional olive oil and heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Grill romaine pieces until char marks start to form and lettuce begins to soften, turning occasionally, about 3-4 minutes. Place the grilled greens on a plate, drizzle with dressing, and top with grilled bread croutons, if you like.
  3. To make the dressing: Whisk egg yolk, mustard, salt, pepper, and lemon together in a mixing bowl. Slowly stream in oil while whisking continuously, until dressing comes together.

Grilled Peaches topped with Cinnamon Sugar Butter

Ingredients

2 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 Tablespoon cinnamon sugar (or 2 tsp. sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon)
Olive oil or canola oil

Serving suggestions:
Fresh basil leaves
Mint leaves
Vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Frozen yogurt
Balsamic glaze

Directions

Slice peaches in half lengthwise and remove pits; set aside.

In a small bowl, mix butter and cinnamon sugar until well combined.

Heat grill to medium-high. Brush peaches with oil and grill cut-side-down until slightly softened and charred, a little over 1 minute. Compress gently with a spatula a few times for grill marks. Flip to rounded side and grill an additional minute.

Serve grilled peaches on individual plates. Top each with cinnamon-sugar butter, fresh basil or mint, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Some other delicious recipes to try on the grill ..

Quesadillas
Pineapple
Granola
Roasted Grapes with Thyme, fresh ricotta and grilled bread
Watermelon Salad
Spiced Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Oysters
So which one are you going to try first?  We know, tough decision!!
Enjoy!

 

Project of the Month: July 2015

August 7, 2015 Project of the Month

Click on the image to discover the details of this traditional project.

 

 

Texas Custom Patios

Project of the Month: January 2015

January 9, 2015 Outdoor Living

Gable roof outdoor patio cover was tied into an existing gable on this Sugar Land home. A massive stone wood-burning fireplace creates a beautiful focal point. We installed tongue and groove spruce for the ceiling, which is accentuated by the lofty exposed cedar-wrapped posts and beams. The wrought iron chandelier sets the mood for this outdoor space. See more here.

January 2015 Project of the Month

50 Great Reasons to Add Outdoor Style to Your Backyard

April 4, 2014 Outdoor Living

Adding a stylish outdoor living space is undoubtably a significant investment. We get to see the return on that investment every day as homeowners increase the value of their lifestyle by creating a space to take time out for the important things in life. Here’s a list of 50 great reasons to add Outdoor Style to YOUR backyard:

  1. More space for those big gatherings!
  2. Outdoor dinner parties
  3. A nearby spot for star gazing
  4. To celebrate your son/daughter’s graduation party
  5. A quiet place to drink your morning coffee and read the news
  6. To keep the indoor kitchen cool by grilling out in the summer
  7. A place to tell stories around the campfire with the kids or grandkids
  8. A covered space in which to watch a good Texas thunderstorm roll in
  9. Family dinners on the patio
  10. A patio cover provides indoor shade, too
  11. WatchTheGameA place to let them watch the game outside while you commandeer the living room TV with your show
  12. Exhale the stress
  13. Ice cream cones melt slower in the shade
  14. That quaint little backyard wedding
  15. A shady spot to watch the kids while they play in the pool
  16. Girls night in
  17. Give your swimmers a place to snack, a place to rest and a place to use the bathroom… without soaking your floors
  18. A place to slow down
  19. Rover loves a shady spot to enjoy the dog days of summer
  20. To invite the neighbors over for that barbecue
  21. A place to put your feet up
  22. What better backdrop for family portraits, than your own home?
  23. A perfect spot to indulge a “no plans” Saturday
  24. To host a backyard brunch
  25. A place to drink cocoa on a cool evening
  26. A place to pop a cold bottle on a hot dayJustChill
  27. Serve up their favorite birthday dinner
  28. To sit a spell and have a long conversation
  29. To pass on the art of grilling
  30. A comfy spot to devour the latest novel
  31. Dine alfresco with a date night in
  32. To one up the Joneses
  33. All the barbecue holidays-Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day-are better served up in your stylish backyard
  34. Easy clean up for children’s birthday parties
  35. A place to hang your porch swing
  36. Practice your mixology
  37. A quiet space to watch the feathered visitors to your bird feeder
  38. Give your house guests a space of their own in a backyard guesthouse
  39. Turn on the patio string lights and have a glass of wine
  40. A perfect place to paint or draw
  41. Keep the drinks cold in your outdoor kitchen fridgeBeThatHouse
  42. Be the house where everyone gathers
  43. Take refuge from tuba practice
  44. Swing in a hammock
  45. Celebrate your retirement
  46. Sit down and talk about your day
  47. Get down a play trucks or have that tea party
  48. Raise a glass to the newly engaged couple
  49. Teach the art of a perfectly toasted marshmallow to the next generation
  50. Just breathe

If you think your backyard living could use an Outdoor Style upgrade, we’d love to talk with you. Contact us for a free consultation at (281) 265-1994 or send us a message via our website.

Outdoor Living Gifts for the Man in your Life

June 12, 2013 Outdoor Living

As our focus turns toward fathers this month, we want to stop and honor the men in our lives. Whether he’s a grill master, a fire starter, the team’s biggest fan, a connoisseur of beers, a gadget guy or a just hard-working man, we all have one thing in common: a love for taking it outdoors and relaxing in a beautiful space. We chose this collection of gift ideas for him to give him even more enjoyment in his own back yard.

Stout Bottle Opener $35+

Stout Bottle Opener

Price: $35+

Why we love it: This is a bottle opener that knows it’s simply awesome. Its ingenious design allows you to pop bottle tops without bending the caps. And the built-in magnet holds the bottle cap, keeping it from bouncing and rolling on the patio. It’s designed to last. Take a look at their Kickstarter video and you’ll see a glimpse of their passion for slowing down and capturing the moments with family and friends, one popped bottle at a time.

S'more to Love STL-611 6-S'more Maker $19.99

S’more to Love STL-611 6-S’more Maker

Price: $19.99

Why we love it: If he’s a fire starter, this gadget will turn him into an outdoor confection superhero, serving up six perfectly toasted, ooey-gooey s’mores at once. It’s delicious and efficient!

Home Plate Doormat $22

Home Plate Doormat

Price: $22.00

Why we love it: If he’s a baseball-lover, he’ll feel like he hit a home run stepping out onto Home Plate on his patio. Warning: he may try to start the wave or slide into the back door.

Lifeproof LifeJacket Float for iPhone 4/4S and 5

Price: $39.99

Why we love it: Lifeproof makes a case that is water proof, dirt proof and shock proof, which eliminates most of the hazards of taking his iPhone out on the patio. The case is waterproof up to 6.5 feet for up to 30 minutes. When paired with the Lifeproof LifeJacket, it floats! Now he can play Candy Crush and Angry Birds while relaxing poolside. (Requires Lifeproof Case.)

Wooden 6-pack Beer Tote - $35

Wooden 6-pack Beer Tote

Price: $35.00

Why we love it:This handmade beer tote was made from reclaimed redwood beams. Since it’s water-proof and weather proof, it is a perfect candidate for taking out back. It’s nostalgic design reminds us of the slower pace of days gone by.

Custom printed M&M's featuring your favorite football team $10.99-$199.99

Custom-printed M&M’s

Price: $10.99-199.99

Why we love it: You can’t go wrong when you combine delicious chocolate with his favorite team. He can indulge while watching the big game on the patio. If collegiate ball is his thing, you can customize for his favorite University with the My M&M’s tool. Don’t worry, we checked! They have both maroon AND orange to keep you Aggies and Longhorns at peace.

Cotton Hammock $109/$119

Cotton Hammock

Price: $109.00 large / $119.00 extra large

Why we love it: L.L. Bean says this hammock has been a customer favorite for over 30 years. No doubt! There is a certain type of relaxation that only happens in a hammock. It’s almost as if a nap is a requirement. He works hard. He deserves it!

Custom-made Wall Badge $149.00

Custom-made Wall Badge

Price: $149.00

Why we love it: First of all, this 34″ wall sign is custom made right here in Texas. Personalize it with his family name, his favorite team, his hometown or anything he loves (up to 16 characters). It is designed to last for years outside, so it’s a great way for him to declare his outdoor space as his own.

Grill Charms $19.95

Grill Charms for Steak

Price: $19.95

Why we love it: These ingenious little charms will hold tight to steaks as he flips and moves them around the grill, making dinner a little less like a game of shells and more of a sure thing. It is important business when it comes to how you like your steaks prepared! On a serious note, this is a great tool for marking pieces prepared for special health or allergy needs.

Rockin’ Dad Branding Iron with Cedar Gift Box

PRICE: $39.95

Why we love it: He can add his signature style to the dishes he prepares with the satisfying sizzle of the rockin’ dad design. It’s almost like he’s signing your steak, “Prepared with love forever, Dad.”

Personalized Leather Apron & Gloves Set (Branded)

Price: $89.90

Why we love it: Not only is this soft suede set a perfect compliment to the Rockin’ Dad Branding Iron, it is protective against the hazards of grilling. Personalize it with a custom branded monogram with his initials or up to three letters. It’s an apron set fit for the King of the Grill!

Have a project in mind? We work throughout the Houston and Dallas - Fort Worth areas.

Our Customers Love Us

We are very happy we chose Texas Custom Patios to build our dream patio/outdoor kitchen. Our project manager, Ryan, really listened to what we wanted and grasped our vision immediately. He was actively involved in the process from start to finish. Every question or concern was addressed immediately. We were part of every decision along the way, and were pleased with the flexibility of the process. Ryan had a positive “can do” attitude that was much appreciated through out. The various work crews were professional and always left the work site as clean as possible at the end of the day. The final product is absolutely breathtaking!

© 2024 TCP Custom Outdoor Living

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