The barbecue is a versatile cooking tool that can prepare much more than just your main course. With a little creative thinking, you can spend your time outside making your entire meal and embracing the beauty of our Canadian summer. And who doesn’t love the easy cleanup this type of cooking offers? Just scrape the grill, close the lid and relax.

The recipes I’ve created here are great for beginners to grilling. Why not prepare them for a delicious Canada Day feast? Remember, any dish is tastier with local produce, and summer is the best time of year to take advantage of it. There’s nothing like the aroma and flavour of just-picked vegetables. Make a weekly trip to a farmers’ market and make a connection with the person who grew your food, or look for local produce from your grocer.