I cleaned the grill today. It’s not as if it really needed it, or anything. I mean, we only bought it 4 years ago… I always clean the grills, but I haven’t ventured inside since I put it together. It was pretty skanky in there. Out came the shop vac, which captured most of the crud. I soaked the grills and the briquettes, cleaned the burners… Put it all back together and it’s almost like brand-new! I then got industrious and washed the truck. It had probably been a year since that was cleaned, too. Something about a beautiful Spring day that had me yearning to be outdoors, instead of in front of the computer where I can usually be found…

Before starting my cleaning chores, though, I started marinating tonight’s dinner. Another salad, of course. This time, with grilled chicken and grilled vegetables.

I cut up 2 chicken breasts, and put them in a ziplock with chopped lemongrass, basil, cilantro, rice wine, soy sauce, garlic, green onion, a splash of grapeseed oil, chili paste (sambal oelek) and black pepper. Into the ‘fridge it went. I turned it a couple of times – whenever I went to get a seltzer water. (No coca-cola for this kid!)

With a clean grill awaitin’ me, I chopped up some celery, carrots, broccoli, red pepper, mushrooms, cilantro, and basil and did a quick marinade of rice wine, soy sauce, grapeseed oil, and garlic.

What a difference cooking with a cleaned out grill! If I had half a brain, I’d clean that thing a bit more often! (Don’t anyone hold their breath…)

Everything cooked up great. The sun was shining… The smoke and smells were wafting through the neighborhood… A picture-perfect 78 degree day. Everything came off the grill, and back inside to put it all together…

Mixed greens, the aforementioned veggies, a sprinkling of raspberries and blackberries – because I had them – the chicken, and a simple dressing of olive oil, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, S&P.

It just doesn’t get any better than this…..