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Food for thought

» Five unique, cost-effective foods to grill this summer

Patrick Vaillancourt Contributor

I time to refill those propane tanks and begin a legendary new barbecue season. Just because your life as a

student has made you develop an affinity

for pinching pennies doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on summer grilling season. The Other Press has teamed up with local chef Neil Moncrieff to give you five unique things you absolutely must try on your grill.

Moncrieff, who is an executive chef and recently has consulted on menus and restaurant operations for establishments all across the Lower Mainland, says that students who enjoy cooking should experiment with ingredients outside of their comfort zone. Here are his easy and budget- friendly suggestions!

1) Corn on the cob. Budget: approximately $0.67 per cob

Directions: Peel corn. Grill until golden brown.

In a world where so many people boil their food, it is important to remind ourselves that while boiling has its place, it is not appropriate for everything. Grilling your corn on the cob will allow the corn to keep all of its nutrients, and will taste sweeter than if boiled. No added butter or salt needed for this one. “Grilling the corn allows for it to keep all of its natural flavours and nutrients,” says Moncrieff.

2) Bacon-wrapped asparagus. Budget: approximately $10 Directions: Wrap one strip of bacon around an asparagus spear. Grill until bacon is golden brown. No one has ever gone wrong with bacon, and this recipe will allow you to tell your mother that you are indeed getting your greens. The fats from the bacon strips will allow for the bacon to cook on the outside and give the asparagus a golden crisp on the inside. “Don’t overcook it,” warns Moncrieff, who particularly enjoys the crunch of fresh asparagus wrapped in bacon.

3) BBQ hashbrowns. Budget: : approximately $5-$15, depending on : spices used

Directions: Cut potato into cubes.

Place in tin foil with butter and your : : choice of spices. Wrap foil ina ball. Grill: : for 10-15 minutes on medium to high : : heat.

Potatoes are a great item for your

grill and perhaps the healthiest method : of cooking them. Instead of baked

: potatoes, which are a common staple

: of BBQ lovers, change it up with cubed

: potatoes cooking in your chosen blend

: of herbs, spices, and butter. “It’s an

: alternative, healthier way to make hash : browns,” says Moncrieff. He also adds

: that this isa decent meal for someone

: ina hurry or for someone looking for

: asnack while sipping on beers this

: summer.

: 4) Grilled marinated vegetables. : Budget: approximately $7

Directions: Marinate assorted

vegetables in your choice of sauce and : let sit for a few hours. You can place

: the vegetables on skewers or right on

: the barbecue. Grill for five minutes,

: brushing the vegetables with the

: marinade.

For those seeking a vegetarian

option this summer, there’s nothing like : grilled vegetables. Whether you intend

: to serve these veggies on a bed of rice

: orasa stand-alone, this is a quick and

: incredibly healthy meal. It also makes

: for a delicious appetizer to serve at

: parties (go with the skewers for that),

: and is very cost-effective. “It’s healthy : : and it’s on the barbecue,” says Moncrieff. : : “What more do you want?” He reminds : us that vegetables are good with almost : anything.

5) Burgers. Budget: approximately $10-$20 with condiments “

Burgers may seem traditional, but it’s all in the way you make it,’ says Moncrieff. You can use ground beef or other ground meats; ground chicken, turkey, and pork are easily available at a major supermarket. Not only can you play around with the meat, but you can add ingredients in the burger meat. Try incorporating some feta cheese and herbs in your meat as you prepare the burgers for the grill. This is one meal you can do some experimenting with.

theotherpress.ca

By Neil Moncrieff

Armed with Moncrieff’s tips, the

: Other Press hopes you try out these

: dishes either at home or at an outdoor

: party with friends—we guarantee people : will like them so much, you'll be stuck in : front of the grill all day. Ah, summer!

Stop HIV & hep C now:

» Let’s talk about you, me, and testing for HIV with new partners

Andrea Arscott Columnist

: about it before inviting her over. : : that’s how you feel). You might : say that you were thinking

If you choose option

: number three, youre probably : on the right track to getting

S2 you've been dating this girl for a couple of weeks now, and you want to invite her over to your place because she’s adorable, and all you can think about is how great it would be to cuddle her instead of your cat. But you’re worried she might get the wrong idea and think you’re trying to seduce her in your man-cave. You wonder how you can ease her mind, but at the same time, you're not even sure you can keep your King Kong paws off the little lady. You contemplate your options: make a mess

of the bedroom, so that you wouldn't dare take her in there; work out beforehand, so that you smell, and she'll be forced to push you away; or talk to her

: laid down the road. And while : youre on the subject of not

: wanting to have sex so early in : your relationship, you might as : well bring up testing for HIV

: and other sexually transmitted : infections (STIs)—it’s the

: perfect opportunity. Even

: better, get tested first, so you

: can chat about it without : : cornering her and asking if she’s : : been tested lately. When you're : considering having sex with

: new partners, it’s always good to : : be positive you're HIV-negative : by having a blood test.

During the two weeks

youre waiting for your results, : take your sweetheart out fora : picnic ora hike and tell her you : like where things are going in

terms of your relationship (if

: ahead and decided to get tested : : for HIV and other STIs in case : things progress. You could

: also explain that her health

: is important to you, so you

: wanted to be sure you didn’t

: have any illness that youcould : : pass on to her. Then, ask if she’s : : been tested recently and if she'd : : be willing to get tested too.

At that point, you can feel her out (no pun intended) by

: saying that you'd love to invite : her over to watch a movie, but

you worry she wont be able to

: keep her hands off you. Let her : know that youre waiting for

: your test results and don’t want : to be led into temptation. By

: having this conversation, you'll : : make her feel more comfortable : : because she wasn’t the one who

: had to bring it up, and you'll : : likely be more open and honest : : with each other. : Before getting tested, think : : about when you last engaged —: : in arisky activity and consider : the one- to six-month window : period for HIV to figure out

: when to have the test. Also,

: be specific, and ask the doctor

or nurse to test for HIV, all STIs (including genital herpes

: and genital warts), and hep

: C. They may need to collect a

: urine sample and/or examine

: you for physical signs of STIs

: in addition to taking the blood : sample.

Now that you’ve

been tested, wrap it up!

: Unfortunately, people lieand —: : cheat, so the only way to protect : : yourself is to take responsibility questions answered by emailing and control your behaviour. Get :

: tested. Wear a condom. : org

When you're considering having sex with new partners, it’s always good to be positive you're HIV-negative by having a blood test.

To get tested for hep C,

HIV, and other STIs, make

: an appointment at the New

: Westminster Health Unit by : calling 604-777-6740. Ask

: for free condoms or come

: down to the Purpose Society : at 40 Begbie Street to get

some! You can also get your

sexyquestions@purposesociety.