Three other things you can grill this weekend

Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of summer, as well as the official start of grilling season. Many people will be breaking out the BBQ equipment and having friends over this weekend. Why not try something a little bit different?

The classic: Hot dogs
Maybe you should try: Bratwurst
Why do so few people grill bratwurst? Maybe this is a west coast thing. Maybe they grill brats all the time in Wisconsin or wherever it is brats are from. I have yet to see someone grilling a bratwurst out here in the west. It's crazy! Because bratwurst are delicious!

Maybe people get worried because brats, unlike hot dogs, are not fully cooked. The solution is easy: either use a meat thermometer, or parboil them ahead of time. Just simmer them on the stovetop for 10-20 minutes (depending on the size of the brats and how done you want them to get).

The classic: Burgers
Maybe you should try: Salmon burgers
I'm lucky to live in an area where fresh salmon is plentiful. You can grill salmon on a plank or in a specialized grill basket, and you can easily grill a slab of salmon. Drizzle it with a bit of brown sugar and lemon beforehand, or just let the original taste shine. Ease off chunks of salmon onto hamburger buns, add mayo or tartar sauce if you like, and dig in!

The classic: Vegetable Kebobs
Maybe you should try: Corn on the cob
A lot of people already grill corn on the cob. But not nearly enough, if you ask me. Corn on the cob cooks quickly, either in foil or straight on the grill. All you really have to do to corn is heat it through and it's ready to go. And grilled corn has a great smoky taste that really brings the yum.

Image courtesy Flickr/joey.parsons