There is no better way to wow guests than a meal hot off the grill. While you may have the steaks, burgers, and chicken breasts under wraps, heating veggies on the grill can come with its own challenges. If your cherry tomatoes keep sneaking out of your grasp and mushrooms slipping between the grate bars...follow these simple tips to be serving up grilled vegetables with ease.

To start, a medium-high heat (400°F to 425°F) grill is best for most vegetables. On a charcoal grill, you should be able to hold your hand 4-5 inches above the grill for five seconds. If your grill is too hot, just wait a few minutes for it to cool down. If you plan to use skewers, stainless steel kabob skewers are the best bet. They don't roll easily and they allow you to easily turn the vegetables. Disposable bamboo skewers also work but should be soaked in water for 30 mintues before placing on the grill. This keeps them from blackening or possibly catching on fire.

Another helpful tool can be a vegetable grate. These grates are made of porcelain or Teflon coated metal and hold the veggies together. A homemade basket can be created with heavy-duty foil folded in half with rolled edges. A basket will also allow you to cut vegetables into smaller pieces. Veggies cut to have a larger surface area will cook quicker. One disadvantage of foil wrapping vegetables is that they often have less of a smoky flavor, however when seasoned the trade-off for easy prep is often worth it! Some cooks choose to use a light coat of oil on their vegetables to add flavor. This is especially helpful for getting seasonings to stick evenly. Just remember not to go overboard; extra oil can drip and cause flare-ups on the grill.

One of the best sides made on the grill is corn on the cob. Simply pull down the outer husks of the ear to the base, remove the silk and pull the husks back into place. Soak the ears of corn in a bowl of water with a tablespoon of salt for ten minutes. Drain excess water, then grill the cobs over high heat (550°) for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the cobs every 5 minutes. When finished, the kernels should be soft and tender. Corn and other vegetables can be prepped in a variety of ways with plenty of great seasonings and are a great addition to any dinner from the grill.