Recipes:
•Grilled Stuffed Peppers
•Panzanella Salad
•Summer Vegetable Kabobs
•Balsamic Strawberries

Web-Exclusive: Guidelines and Cook Times for Vegetable Kabobs
Cut vegetables thick so they will stay on skewers as they cook. Thread one type of vegetable onto each skewer, threading so the cut sides lie flat on the cooking grate to ensure even cooking. Grill skewers, covered with grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat according to the times below. Your goal is to achieve tender, slightly charred vegetables.

Zucchini and squash
•Prep: Cut into ¾ inch rounds; thread onto skewers.
•Grill time: 7 to 10 minutes on each side or until tender.

Okra
•Prep: Remove stems, and thread onto double skewers.
•Grill time: 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until tender.

Eggplant
•Prep: Cut Japanese eggplant into ¾ inch rounds. Cut Italian eggplant cross­wise into quarters; cut into ¾ inch slices. Thread onto skewers.
•Grill time: 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until tender.

Bell peppers
•Prep: Cut into 1 inch thick strips; thread skewers.
•Grill time: 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until tender.

Mushrooms
•Prep: Trim stems, and thread onto skewers.
•Grill time: 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until tender.

Onions
•Prep: Cut into wedges, and thread onto skewers.
•Grill time: 3 or 4 minutes on each side or until lightly charred.

Cherry tomatoes
•Prep: Thread onto double skewers.
•Grill time: 1 to 3 minutes on each side or just until skins begin to split.

Stylist Lisa Powell Bailey offers a few decorating tips to create a casual and festive setting for dinner with friends.
1. Forget tablecloths; pick a color scheme for your party and paint an old picnic table to match.
2. Fresh flowers on the table add a bright pop of color. Freesia is relatively inexpensive and has a pleasing aroma.
3. For an evening party, lit trees and lots of candles keep the ambience festive.
4. Dress up plain white plates by placing smaller colored or patterned plates on top.
5. For an extra-special touch, buy cheap, colorful ribbons to tie around rolled napkins for napkin rings.

Dance Around the Grill
The table is ready, the grill is firing up, but you still need the right tunes to complete the setting. Try these alternative tracks for an unforgettable outdoor get-together.

1. “Multiply,” by Jamie Lidell
2. “1234,” by Feist
3. “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa,” by Vampire Weekend
4. “Hard Sun (Main),” by Eddie Vedder
5. “Mr. Tough,” by Yo La Tengo
6. “Hummingbird,” by Wilco
7. “West Coast,” by Coconut Records
8. “The General Specific,” by Band of Horses
9. “New Soul,” by Yael Naïm
10. “Don’t You Evah,” by Spoon
11. “On the Radio,” by Regina Spektor
12. “100 Days, 100 Nights,” by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Download this play list on iTunes.

"Grill It Your Way" is from the May 2008 issue of Southern Living.