(Family Features) If your outdoor grilling menu calls for easy, gluten-free dishes to accompany your favorite flame-kissed foods, sorghum may be your secret to success.

Sorghum, an ancient cereal grain, is a highly versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of preparations, such as leavened and unleavened breads, fermented and unfermented beverages, and a host of flour-based foods such as pizza dough, pastas and cereals. It can also be consumed in place of whole grain in countless recipes and as a syrup.

Because it is naturally gluten free, sorghum is a terrific option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance who don’t want to sacrifice the texture and taste of grain-based foods. What’s more, the nutrient-rich grain is a good source of iron, calcium, potassium as well as polycosinol, which research has shown to lower serum cholesterol and may improve heart health.

For those who monitor glycemic index, sorghum also offers good news. Research indicates sorghum offers slow digestibility and a lower glycemic index. Foods with a lower glycemic index are believed to increase satiety, which means you feel fuller longer, aiding with weight management.

Enjoy grilled fare with a new twist. From sweet, savory marinades to crisp, crunchy salads to refreshingly tangy beverages, sorghum is the ingredient that makes these recipes shine.

For more recipes and tips for cooking with sorghum, visit www.HealthySorghum.com.

Southern Sweet Sorghum Tea

Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 4 black tea bags
• 3/4 cup sorghum syrup
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup bourbon (optional)
• Juice of 1 orange
• 1 orange, washed and sliced
• Mint to garnish

Preparation

1. Boil water. Remove from heat, add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sorghum syrup and sugar. Pour into pitcher and refrigerate until cold.
2. Stir in bourbon and orange juice. Add sliced oranges to pitcher. Serve over ice with mint to garnish.

Grilled Sorghum Tabbouleh Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup sorghum grain
• 3 cups water
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cored and quartered
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and quartered
• 1 white onion, cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
• 3 bunches parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation

1. Add sorghum to water and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 50 minutes or until water is absorbed. Set aside and let cool. Sorghum can be prepared in advance and refrigerated overnight.
2. Brush bell peppers and onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and grill over medium heat for 4 minutes. Turn to other side and grill for another 4 minutes. Remove and let cool.
3. Chop grilled peppers and onion and add to cooled sorghum. Add parsley, mint, lemon juice and 1/4 cup olive oil to sorghum and toss lightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spicy Sorghum Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons sorghum syrup
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation

1. Put chicken breasts between sheets of wax paper and gently pound to about 1/2-inch thickness. Pierce both sides several times with fork and set aside.
2. In large resealable bag, combine canola oil, sorghum syrup, garlic, jalapenos and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken breasts to bag, seal and refrigerate 2–10 hours.
3. Heat grill to high. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and cook for 6 minutes. Turn to other side and cook for another 6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Sponsored by United Sorghum Checkoff Program