Quick and Easy Marinades for That Upcoming Barbecue

Every barbecue enthusiast knows that the marinade is key when it comes to adding flavor to your meats, but there are a whole lot more options than just the usual barbecue sauce to choose from. From sweet to tangy to spicy, these grill-ready marinades can take foods from bland to mouthwatering in just a few minutes flat. And best of all? They don’t have to sit in the refrigerator all night, so they’re perfect for the last-minute home chef!

Greek Marinade [greek.food.com]
Olive oil and lemon juice impart a bright, zesty flavor to foods like chicken and fish, while a bounty of fresh herbs and spices will make you feel like you hopped a plane to the shores of Greece. Pour this perfect marinade over your meats and pop them into the fridge for an hour before grilling.

Maple Grilled Salmon Glaze [myrecipes.com]
Take salmon to the next level with this sweet and smoky glaze that you can brush on the fish — or even on a juicy pork chop — right as it’s cooking. Garnish with orange slices to bring out even more sweet, citrus-y flavor.

Barbecue Sauce [marthastewart.com]
Although there are limitless options for marinades, sometimes you’re just in the mood for a good old-fashioned barbecue sauce. This simple, straightforward recipe takes just 30 minutes to make, and it can be used on everything from ribs to chicken at your next cookout.

These Summertime Desserts Make the Season Even Sweeter

From barbecued burgers to fresh corn on the cob, summer's savory recipes steal the spotlight all season long. But those with a penchant for sweets know that the best part of the meal happens off the grill. We're talking about summertime desserts, of course, and this trio of mouthwatering recipes can keep a sweet tooth satisfied all the way through September:

Strawberry Shortcake [AllRecipes]
The quintessential summertime dessert, strawberry shortcake is a tried-and-true crowd pleaser. You'll need to fire up the oven to bake the two cake layers for this recipe, but that's the extent of the cooking process. After the cakes have cooled, they're used to create a tantalizing tower of sugar-coated strawberries and fresh whipped cream.

Cucumber, Meyer Lemon and Lavender Granita [Cooking Channel]
This frozen dessert couldn't be much easier to make, requiring only a blender, saucepan—and a sweet tooth! However, the complex flavors involved make the granita taste quite involved. If you've never tried lavender in a dessert before, this is a delicious place to start.

Peach Crisp [Real Simple]
Who doesn't love peach crisp? The classic recipe is one of the best ways to use up a surplus of the summertime stone fruit. Slices of fresh peaches are buried beneath a crispy oat crust, then the whole thing is popped in the oven for 45 minutes. Eat it for breakfast, or serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream—just like Mom used to make!

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