Tempt your palate

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Grilled desserts are rare and wonderful and no one will expect it because most people can’t think of a grilled dessert. Truth is there are so many things you can do with dessert on the grill, it’s amazing you don’t see it more often,” says Aslam Gafoor, a grilled food expert.

“The best bet for grilling dessert is small pieces of fresh fruit. The heat will caramelise the sugars on the fruit, heat it through and give you something that just tastes better. Start with pineapple slices. Preferably soak them in rum, brown sugar, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon. Throw them on the grill over a high direct heat for about one to two minutes per side. You want the surface to brown, but not burn. Let them grill until the alcohol is burned off and the surface is brown and shiny. Take them directly from the grill, place on a plate and top with a scoop of ice cream,” he adds.

Grilled cinnamon apples

*  2 apples, cored and cut into1/4 inch slices
*  1/2 cup water
*  1/4 cup lemon juice
*  2 tablespoons brown sugar
*  1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pre-heat grill for medium heat. Combine water and lemon juice in a large bowl. Add apple slices. In another bowl, combine cinnamon and sugar. Place apples on grill rack and allow to cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, turning once. Once cooked, place apples on a large dish and sprinkle with sugar mixture.

Grilled fruit kebabs with chocolate sauce

The lightly grilled fruits and warm chocolate sauce make a delicious dessert.

*  2 ripe bananas, peeled
*  6 slices sponge cake (1/2 inch thick cut into one inch squares)
*  2 medium ripe peaches
*  6 whole strawberries, stemmed
*  Ready-made chocolate sauce

Cut fruit into small wedges along with the banana and cake. Thread them alternately on to 12-inch skewers. Add one strawberry to each skewer. The fruit kebabs are now ready. Grill each kebab for about five minutes or until the cake is lightly browned, making sure to turn only once. To serve, push contents from skewers on to dessert plates and lightly drizzle with warm chocolate sauce.