Summer Food Favorites from the Grill: Dry Rubbed Steak, Baked Potatoes and Spinach Salad

Summer is here and that means it is time to fire up the grill. The best pairing of summer food for me is steak and beer. The steak needs to be medium rare, right off the grill and seasoned to perfection, and the beer should be ice cold. I am partial to Corona but sometimes a Coors Light will suit my summer dinner. Here are a few of my favorite summer foods and how to prepare them:

Dry Rubbed Steak from the Grill:
Steak (Remember the bigger the cut the longer the cook time)
McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning

Directions- Pre-heat grill. Rub spice all over steak like you are giving the steak a massage. Get both sides of the steak. After grill is pre-heated, place steak on the grill. You should hear it sizzle. Cook for 4-7 minutes on each side or until it reaches the desired done-ness you prefer.

Baked Potatoes on the Grill:
Large White Idaho Potatoes (one for each person you are serving)
Coarse White Salt (sea salt works well)
Butter or Margarine
Aluminum Foil

Directions- Place a piece of foil on a flat surface. Add a large white Idaho potato to the center. Stab the potato a few times with a fork. Place a small amount of butter or margarine on the potato. Season the outside of the potato with coarse white salt. Roll up in the foil. Place on grill for approximately 30- 40 minutes. Serve with sour cream and bacon bits.

Summer Side Dish or Main Dish - It's Your Call!
Spinach Salad is the perfect compliment on a hot summers day to go with the steak and potatoes from the grill. You will need baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, and slices of mozzarella cheese to make the salad. You can add any other salad ingredients but those are the basics for a hearty spinach salad. Serve as a side dish or take your dry rubbed steak, sliced, and add it to the top of your salad. Ranch dressing or Oil and Vinegar compliment this salad nicely.

Don't forget to serve these summer foods with beer. Preferably Corona but Coors Light is acceptable too!