Symon's Dinners Cooking Out

Inspired by his mom's cooking, Michael Symon prepares the grill for chicken parmesan meatballs with ricotta cheese and sweet red sauce; his wife, Liz, cooks soft polenta over the fire pit.

Michael makes a rich mac and cheese loaded with smoked ham with cream cheese, gouda and pecorino to prove that you can make any dish on the grill; grilled apple crisp for dessert while Liz makes a vodka punch.

Michael makes his father's favorite by turning the backyard grill into a smoker to make sticky ribs; Liz helps make giant cookies with tons of chocolate, pretzel and sea salt; Norman the puppy makes a surprise appearance.

Michael Symon grills up a feast of summertime staples, starting with Barbecue Chicken slathered in a Kansas City-style sauce. Then, he gives fresh coleslaw a twist by adding pickles, mint leaves and poppy seed, and Liz makes a Kentucky Mule cocktail.

Michael Symon demonstrates simple techniques for grilling skirt steak to tender, medium-rare perfection. Then, he complements the steak with Sticky Barbecue Onions fired up in a cast-iron skillet and Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes.

Michael Symon creates Creamy Chicken and Dumplings on the grill. Michael's wife, Liz, makes Drop Biscuits to serve as the dumplings while Michael picks fresh herbs for the filling. Michael works the grill for his favourite dessert, Bananas Foster.

Michael Symon turns a standard grill into a pizza oven; he uses coals and cast iron pans to cook homemade dough for his grilled white pizza and a gooey three cheese calzone; Liz makes sweet, crunchy Italian Florentine cookies.

Michael's Greek heritage is displayed; grilled lamb burger with Tzatziki; Liz makes an ouzo spritz; sweet-and-salty watermelon and feta salad.

Only Michael Symon would think to make Moussaka on the Grill, taking the Mediterranean casserole layered with meat, veggies and cheese sauce outside to show just how simple the cooking technique can be. His wife, Liz, joins him to create a light, complimentary side dish of Grilled and Steamed Artichokes. They keep the grill firing for a sweet dessert of Red Wine Poached Fruit and creamy vanilla bean ice cream.

Paying respect to his Italian roots, Michael Symon creates an entire Italian feast over coals using his outdoor grill, beginning with smoking fresh tomatoes for his Fettuccine with Smoked Tomato Sauce. His wife, Liz, mixes up creamy ricotta, lemon and herbs for Stuffed Squash Blossoms from their garden and fries them over the grill. For dessert, a decadent Lemon Upside-Down Cake is a sweet way to finish off the meal.

Flame on! Michael Symon's outdoor, family-friendly meal starts with a Fish Fry with Lime Aioli, where he fries fresh fluke in a pot over coals on the grill. It's not a fish fry without taters, so he uses the grill again to make crispy, creamy Smashed Potatoes. Michael's wife, Liz, joins him to help balance out the meal with a Quick Pickled Zucchini Salad.

Michael Symon is determined to make his friend Olivia love eggplant Parmesan, and the only way to do it is to reinvent it the Symon way. He makes his Grilled Eggplant Parmesan outdoors on the grill, topping fresh eggplant slices with garden tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and salty Parmesan. He also whips up a classic accompaniment with salami and provolone, Antipasti Salad with Campfire Dressing. For dessert, Michael's wife, Liz, helps out by making a simple, seasonal Cherry Polenta Cake with Michael's favorite Michigan cherries.

Michael Symon makes a summertime seafood meal that's all about the prep and then letting the foil and grill do the work. He starts with foil packets of Clams with Sausage and Peppers, which steam to perfection over coals. His wife, Liz, helps him use the same technique for a dessert of Peaches with Mascarpone and Honey, and she concocts a refreshing, summertime beverage to bring it all together, Rose Sangria.

One of the few things Michael Symon often doesn't like is ranch dressing, so he challenges himself to rethink the flavors as a rub and transforms his standard coal grill into a smoker for tender and juicy Ranch-Rubbed Pork Ribs. Thrilled with the rub, he also uses it in Baked Sweet Potatoes with Charred Onion Ranch Dip. Michael's wife, Liz, makes Grilled Corn with Ranchovy Butter, featuring the rub yet again.