7 Unusual Foods To Grill Slideshow

Think tofu is bland? Think again. Grilling tofu imparts a nice smoky flavor to the healthy protein, and pairing it with a sweet and spicy marinade makes it pop. When grilling tofu, it's best to use a firm tofu and grill for about five minutes on each side without moving it to get those coveted grill marks. For more tips on cooking with tofu straight from a Tofu Master, click here to see How to Grill Tofu.

Sure, they're great just eaten straight from the shell, or broiled or baked with a delicious topping, but what about grilling them? Go ahead and throw 'em straight on the grill without shucking them; they'll pop open when done to let you know they're ready! If serving these at a party, it's best to cook them to order rather than all in advance so everyone gets some nice, hot, juicy oysters. You can also cook them in the half shell, too, like in this recipe for Diablo Oysters.

Grilling potatoes is a convenient and delicious way to make a side dish without having to shuttle back and forth between the kitchen and the outdoor grill. Throw them on while the main course is cooking and they'll be done in about 10 minutes. Russet or waxy potatoes work pretty well; just make sure to slice them thinly or cut them into thin wedges (about ½-inch thick) and coat with a good amount of olive or vegetable oil.

This is Kent Whitaker's signature dessert. To cut down on prep, he advises cooks to use ready-made pound cake, and to cut down on calories or fat, he says to try using low-fat or sugar-free items as well as cutting out the butter and brown sugar. Feel free to switch up the fruit with pineapple, peaches, or whatever's in season, and serve with your favorite ice cream.

Click here to see the Grilled Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe.

Yaki onigiri, or Japanese grilled rice balls, are just as fun to eat as they are to make. It's best to use Japanese short-grain rice for this, as other types of rice will not contain enough starch for the ball to stick together when placed on the grill.

Cook the rice as usual, either on the stove or in a rice cooker, and let it cool slightly. While it's still hot, place it in the center of a square piece of plastic wrap and wrap it into a dense, 1-inch-thick triangle (make sure to really pack it in). Brush with a bit of melted butter and some soy sauce, and grill on both sides until crisp. Enjoy!

Putting quesadillas on the grill gives the tortillas a nice crispness and slight smokiness for something a little different. If preparing these for a party, the fillings can be prepared in advance and placed between the tortillas just before serving. Grill them up to order until the cheese is melted. Make sure to coat the grill thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking and to get it nice and hot before placing the quesadillas.

George Duran fires it up with his twist on the classic banana split by slipping sliced bananas, pound cake, and pineapple onto skewers and throwing them on the grill. Make sure to soak the wooden skewers for about half an hour before using.

Click here to see the Grilled Banana Split Recipe.