Grill Time: Super Sides

Shape the burgers, skewer the shrimp, season the steak, dry rub the pork chops, assemble the kebabs, marinate the chicken, fillet the fish, or grab the sausages—whatever your choice, it’s time to fire up the grill.

Whether you’re at a dock or on the hook, summertime meals simply taste better when they’re cooked outdoors. Grilling fits the cruising lifestyle: it’s relaxing, pleasant, and fun. That said, a perfectly grilled steak or a tasty lamb kebab needs the perfect accompaniment to complete the meal. And to keep with the relaxed lifestyle, you want those sides to be quick, easy, and tasty.

DALMATIAN SUMMER SALAD Serves: 4

Back in our sailing days we spent nearly seven years cruising the Mediterranean where the summers are hot, often topping 100 degrees. In that type of heat, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers are the standard salad ingredients since leafy lettuce simply cannot grow in that climate. This recipe, named in honor of our time in Croatia, is a go-to for us, and similar recipes are available in nearly every Mediterranean country. Toss in some Feta cheese and you have a Greek salad, throw in some basil to make it Italian, or add some mint and it becomes Moroccan.

1 medium English cucumber, peeled (optional) and diced 3 vine-ripened tomatoes, cored and diced 1 small green pepper, seeded and diced 1 medium red onion, peeled and chopped fine 5 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar Salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, green pepper, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper, toss, and serve.