Invite your friends and family to join around the patio and fire up the grill—it’s grilling season! There’s nothing better than the smell of a grill loaded with food at the end of a hot summer day.

Coincidentally, everyone’s favorite summertime cooking technique makes for easy and healthy dinner options. So, skip the creamy potato salad and instead try this fresh and good-for-you recipe everyone is sure to enjoy. 

When it comes to grilling veggies, think outside the box. Try grilling eggplant, whole vidalia onions or even peaches. One of my very favorite grilled veggies has to be avocados. Grilled with lime juice and topped with a pico de gallo, they are bound to become your new favorite as well. 

Grilled Avocados with Pico de Gallo 4 ripe avocados pitted and halved fresh lime juice from 2 limes olive oil salt and pepper 1 mediumtomato, diced 1onion, finely chopped 1/2fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped 2 sprigsfresh cilantro, finely chopped light sour cream for garnish (optional)

Set outdoor grill to medium-high heat. 

Brush avocado halves with lime juice and then olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place avocados flesh-side down on hot grill over indirect heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until grill marks are visible.

Meanwhile make pico de gallo by tossing together tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro and a tablespoon of lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Remove avocados from grill and fill pit hole with pico de gallo and top with sour cream (optional).

Now that everyone if going to be standing out by the grill, it's time to update your patio! Here are some quick and easy tips that will get your patio party-ready.

Lighting is so important in setting the ambiance for any party and your patio is no exception. One easy way to achieve romantic lighting is to hang Italian street lights over your patio. I happen to have bulb Christmas lights left over from the holidays but they sell great outdoor patio lights at Target and One Kings Lane. Plant pots of herbs and succulents and bring in pops of color with a bright umbrella, pillows and citronella candles.

You might also like:Fish Tacos with Grilled Corn Slaw and Strawberry Mango SalsaThis Summer’s IT Cocktail: Pomegranate Mint Spiked LemonadeGood Girl Gone Bad: Bacon Cheeseburgers with Caramelized Onions