Contributed by David Galassi, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

Free yourself from everyday burgers, dogs and occasional t-bone.

Firing up the grill should have your culinary creativity flowing, as almost anything you make in the oven can be made on the grill. Here are my top ten unusual foods to grill. And yes, I’ve tried every one of them.

10. Bacon

Thick sliced slab bacon grilled adds a touch that cannot be achieved on a stove top frying pan. The best start is with frozen bacon straight to a hot grill grate. Watch for the grease flare ups with your spray bottle or a can of beer ready. Grilling bacon requires close supervision, so don’t make a dash to the kitchen when you’ve got bacon on the grill. Besides, it’ll smell so good, someone might steal it.

9. Turkey legs

Grilled turkey drumsticks – after a 24-hour brining – are moist and flavorful beyond belief. Who says turkey is just for Thanksgiving? These are a hit any time, and especially great when you grill on the beach.

8. Butternut squash

Cooked on the top grate on low while wrapped in foil adds a smoky flavor to the squash that far exceeds any potato side dish. Sprinkle with butter and cinnamon and serve with the turkey legs that brined the night before putting those on the grill too.

7. Cucumbers

Not just for salads any more. Skin and half the cucumbers. Scrape out the seeds and fill the cavity with blue cheese and bacon bits. Grill for about 3 mins or until the cheese melts.

6. Eggs

Chilled-to-the-bone campers have reveled in eggs over the fire for generations. You can make breakfast on the grill, too, without suffering through a night in your sleeping bag. Place some beaten eggs in a buttered stick-proof deep pan. Add grated cheese, veggies, meat, etc. Drizzle some BBQ sauce atop the mixture and place on the grill and close the lid. Cook until firm.

5. Chili

Par grill your desired meat (flank steak, pork ribs, smoked sausage) and dice. Prepare your favorite chili mixture – either store bought or home made – and mix with the grilled meat in a bowl. In large pot, put your chili mixture and meat. Place a few bricks atop your grill grate and the covered pot atop the bricks. This keeps the bottom from burning. Close the lids and cook low for 3 hours stirring often. The smell will invite everyone for miles.

4. Poppers (sort of)

Slice some jalapenos – red or green – lengthwise and remove the seeds. Leave the stem. Stuff with a Mexican cheese and a few drops of hot sauce. Add a few of the seeds for more spice. Place the peppers on the grill and cook on high for about 3-4 minutes. These make a great appetizer to go with that cold beer while you’re waiting for everything else you’ve put on the grill.

3. Meatloaf

Prepare your favorite meatloaf recipe using ground beef, ground pork, egg, bread crumbs and seasoning. Mound small single portions that look like miniature meatloafs. Dress with BBQ sauce or ketchup. Place a green pepper or onion slice atop each little loaf. Place in tin foil and wrap loosely. Place the small loafs on the top grate and close the lid. These need 40 mins. cooking time or until done. This little grill trick yields great single servings that everyone loves.

2. Barbeque Lasagna

Make a two layer lasagna in a baking pan. Use Italian tomato sauce, ground meat, green peppers and sliced onion, layered between the noodles and ricotta cheese. Top with BBQ sauce (yes, Bar-be-que sauce) and mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil. Place on the grill and cook for about 20 mins or until hot. Place some foil wrapped garlic bread on the grill 4 mins before serving to round out this Italian barbeque fiesta.

1. BBQ pork shoulder or picnic

In a large foil pan place the pork shoulder or picnic. Add chicken broth and one whole bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. Cover with foil. Place on the grill over low heat for 3 hours. Baste at regular intervals. When the meat falls off the bone you will have the fixings for great pulled pork sandwiches. Bakery buns, potato salad and more of that cold beer equals grillmaster bliss.