Grilling can and should be a year-round endeavor. But summer seems to be when we up the ante, becoming self-proclaimed barbecue masters seemingly overnight.

We get saucy with new marinades and rubs, boost burgers by experimenting with different meats and accompaniments, and work in our farmers market finds, putting everything from berries and stone fruits to vegetables and cheese over hot coals.

There’s no rule that grilling is just for the main meal of the day. Rise and shine with breakfast; grill up a midday salad; slice a loaf of crusty bread, slather with oil and after a few minutes over hot goals, you’ll have the perfect vessel for happy hour bruschetta. Dessert? You could go old school with s’mores, but there’s so much sweet territory to explore that it would be a shame to limit yourself.

This seems like a fine time to don our “Kiss the Cook” apron and try recipes with a little more flair. Here are three to get you started on a smoky summer adventure.