Although spring has just sprung, these warm, sunny days, growing in length, are giving me a hankering for all things grilled. Just last night, my husband fired up the grill to put a char on a London broil, which he later sliced for fajitas. Simply from the smell of food on the grill, I found myself dreaming of flip-flops, patio furniture and ice-cold beer.

Although everybody loves burgers and dogs, you’ve got all summer to grill ho-hum hamburgers. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, give these grill recipes a try. 

Grilled corn with lime and cheese – Believe it or not, I’ve already found fresh corn-on-the-cob in my local grocery store this spring, and even more surprising: It was good! I love the idea of shucking it, slathering it with olive oil and some flavorful seasonings, and giving it a light char on the grill.

Grilled baby artichokes – Artichokes scare a lot of people. Get over it! They’re easy to work with, they’re incredibly versatile and they taste amazing, no matter how they’re prepared. The babies are a favorite, because almost the whole ‘choke is edible. Peel off the outer leaves (even cooked they’re still too tough to eat), boil them, slice them in half and grill them. This recipe takes all the fear out of artichokes, and slathers them with a tasty Chipotle mayo dip.

Grilled balsamic-crusted pork loin – This recipe is for my husband. I’m not a big fan of pork or balsamic vinegar, but the photo of this recipe spoke to me. I am a big fan of the “ends” of things (bread, roasts, pickles), and the charred ends of this pork loin look yummy. Other than the pork tenderloin, you probably already have all the other ingredients you’ll need.

Grilled new potato ‘packet’ – This simple recipe for potatoes in foil can be paired with just about any grilled meat. Cut the potatoes into bite-sized quarters, drizzle with olive oil and water (for steaming), then seal up foil packet and grill. Open up the foil and finish with seasonings just before serving.

Grilled strawberry shortcake kebabs – Saved the best for last! This dessert is not only delicious, but with a bit of preparation, can be ready in about five minutes! Make this an interactive sweet, having guests assemble their own kebab. Sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet teeth.