Grilling guide: removing grease stains and adding nutritious side dishes

Summer grilling can leave oily marks on patio tiles. Home‑based cleaning methods recommend sprinkling baking soda on fresh stains, letting it sit for 20‑30 minutes, then scrubbing with warm water. For older stains, the contact time can be extended to one or two hours, and a small amount of dish‑washing liquid may be added. If grease has penetrated porous surfaces, flour or corn starch can be used to absorb oil before washing, while heavily soiled areas may require a stronger outdoor‑grade degreaser.

To balance the meal, a 50‑25‑25 plate rule is suggested: 50 % vegetables, 25 % complex carbohydrates, and 25 % quality protein. Options include grilled zucchini, peppers, cauliflower steaks, fruit such as peaches or melon, and whole‑grain sides like bulgur, quinoa or beans. Light dips such as tzatziki, hummus or avocado‑lemon sauce provide flavor without heavy sauces.