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I'm sure you've been bombarded with tons of grilling recipes and how to's the past few days in prepration for today's festivities. The more I read these articles, the more I realize that there's a few things that most home cooks forget to do to ensure great grilled food and a fun filled day out.

1) Marinate your meats! I know it's easy to buy something at the store, throw it on the grill and let it absorb all that smokey goodness. Well, try and marinate your meats 2 hours and even 2 days ahead. Use a medley of fresh herbs, shoyu or all natural soy sauce and cracked pepper. Marinating will provide grilled foods with a depth of flavor that makes all the difference.

2) You don't have to cook your meats to death to ensure they are fully cooked. Often chicken comes out dry when grilled because most people are so freaked out by salmonella poisoning. I like to poach chicken first - not fully cooked mind you, but about 3-4 minutes shy - then pop it on the grill. An alternative, and what many restaurants often do, is to grill your meats first to achieve everyone's favorite grill markings, and then finish in a 350 degree oven.

3) If you don't make your own barbecue sauce, and most of us don't, don't be afraid to doctor up your jarred sauces with some fresh herbs, molasses, chiles and even fruit preserves.

4) Be sure to have a cooler on hand. Not all bbq foods are created equal and can stand under the sun all day. As a general rule, you have up to 4 hours to keep food at room temperature before food poisoning becomes a take home present for your guests. If food is sitting out in the sun, 4 hours may even be pushing it.

5) Don't forget about the meat free! Vegetarians and red-meat freers are no longer infrequent. Expect to have at least 1 or 2 people that will not eat meat. Have vegetarian options that everyone will enjoy like grilled vegetables, whole grains and bean salads. Burger alternatives are also great, such as portobellos, black beans burgers, veggie, turkey and fish burgers.

6) Have an assortment of alcohol free beverages such as herbal iced teas, flavored seltzers and virgin cocktails.

7) Don't forget your fresh fruit! Some fruit absolutely delicious grilled, caramelizing their natural sugars. Try grilling peaches, plums, strawberries, pineapple, mango and pears. Want to try them all? Make fruit kebabs! I love to serve them with a dark chocolate dipping sauce. Why not?

8) Don't forget the sunblock and bug repellant. Trust me.

9) And most importantly, don't forget to have fun and relax!  Have a great memorial day!
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