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From grill to table in record time

When the heat index spikes, you might not want to spend Independence Day nursing a slab of babybacks. But we have to barbecue; it's tradition, right?

So, go ahead, heat up the grill, but give yourself a little freedom by putting your entire meal -- from the appetizers to dessert -- right onto the rack. Each of our suggestions takes only a few minutes, so that you can have a meal, yet enjoy the rest of your day off.

Starter: Cheese

A hot fire will bring a round of brie to its runny peak quickly, and the grill marks will give it show-stopping looks. Serve with flatbread.

Grill time: 1 minute, each side.

Appetizer: Shrimp skewers

Soaking skewers in water prevents the wood from burning on the grill. Some groceries have shrimp skewers already prepared. Just brush on your favorite mesquite-flavored seasoning.

Grill time: 3 minutes, each side.

Main course

Marinate your main dish for ½ hour or the night before. For a pretty diamond pattern on meat and fish, cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side, then rotate 45 degrees (one-quarter turn).

Grill times:

Thin (½-inch to ¾-inch) steaks: 3 to 5 minutes, each side

Chicken breasts: 4 to 6 minutes each side

Fish fillets: 2 to 3 minutes, each side.

Sides

Large cuts of vegetables will hold grill marks and won't fall through the grate. Toss a bright combination such as red and yellow peppers and corn or summer squash with olive oil, a teaspoon of minced garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper. Asparagus spears will add a splash of green.

Grill time: 4 to 6 minutes.

Dessert

Slices of hard fruit, such as pineapple or pears, hold their shape well on a grill and are a surprising treat. Soak fruit in cold water with a teaspoon of lemon juice to preserve color. Serve alone or with a scoop of ice cream.

Grill time: 1 minute, each side.

For the kids

You probably can't get away without grilling a few hot dogs for the little ones.

Grill time: 2 to 4 minutes.

POWER HOUR

You'll need two or three pairs of tongs, a wide spatula and quick hands for this high-heat grilled lunch. Have your entire meal prepped and serving dishes in place, as each course takes only a few minutes.

Noon: Heat the grill.

12:15: Place your entire meal on the grill, with starters on the left, main course and side dishes in the middle, dessert on the right.

12:16: Flip cheese and pineapples.

12:17: Remove cheese and pineapples from the grill. Set pineapples aside.

12:18: Flip kebabs.

12:20: Flip meat, turn vegetables.

12:21: Remove kebabs and serve.

12:23: Give meat a quarter turn for nice grill marks.

12:25: Remove meat and vegetables and serve.

12:50: After dinner, enjoy the grilled fruit.

Grill of your dreams

If you're looking for a new gas grill for your cookout, you don't have to buy the most expensive model to get good performance, according to the June issue of Consumer Reports.

"Most of the grills we tested did a nice job cooking steaks, chicken and fish," Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, Consumer Reports deputy home editor, said in a telephone interview.

"It's nice that we are still finding inexpensive models that are doing a good job. The $200 Brinkmann has a side burner and lots of shelf space. What we are seeing is you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a great grill."

Blue Ember by Fiesta

Mid-sized grill (Model: FG50069-U401)

Sold at: The Home Depot, $450

Rating: 84 out of 100

Review: Excels at even cooking. Features generous shelf space, a side burner, built-in smoker box and a rotisserie burner.

Char-Broil Quantum

Large grill (Model: 463248208)

Sold at: Lowe's, $500

Rating: 72 out of 100

Review: This stainless-steel grill has a side burner, infrared heat and a lifetime warranty on the burners.

Char-Broil

Commercial Series

Mid-sized grill (Model: 463268008)

Sold at: Lowe's, $300

Rating: 75 out of 100

Review: This stainless-steel grill has a side burner, shelf space and lifetime burner warranty.

Kenmore

Large grill (Model: 16315)

Sold at: Sears, $570

Rating: 76 out of 100

Review: This stainless-steel grill has slightly better performance than other Kenmore grills tested. It has five main burners, a rotisserie, side burners, plenty of shelf space and 10-year warranty.

Brinkmann

Mid-sized grill (Model: 810-8410S)

Sold at: The Home Depot, $200

Rating: 76 out of 100

Review: Combines fine cooking, a side burner and generous shelf space at a lower price.