When it comes to sides, most of us tend to get stuck in a veg or starch rut. But the grill gives us an easy way to break out of this.
I love fruit with most any grilled protein as long as there are some savory notes in the seasoning to balance the inherent sweetness of it. Growing up, we would have homemade applesauce for dinner in the fall. And I still often make that with dinner. It goes wonderfully with so many meats.
But more often lately, I’ve been grilling and glazing apple slices with a gussied-up maple syrup glaze. This time of year, I serve these apples alongside everything and anything grilled.
The apple slices are brushed with a sweet and slightly salty maple syrup glaze that is enhanced with apple cider and warm autumn spices. A touch of soy sauce balances all the sweetness and turns what are most often thought of as dessert or breakfast ingredients (apples and maple syrup) into a side dish for pork, chicken, flank steak and salmon. And if a touch of the glaze hits your main, I won’t tell anyone! It’s divine on everything!