Now that summer is in full swing and the 4th of July is right around the corner, it’s time to get on planning those summer barbeque menus! But the old standbys of hamburgers and hot dogs –as delicious as they may be –are not so waistline friendly for those of us looking to stay in top swimsuit shape throughout the season. That’s why Ricky Eisen, founder and president of NYC-based catering company Between the Bread, has outlined some healthy grilling tips for you to use at your next backyard get-together!
- Healthy Side Dishes: Forget the mayonnaise-covered potato and macaroni salads. Throwing some zucchini and peppers on the grill is quite easy. Just brush them with some olive oil, add some salt and pepper and place them directly on the grill. Once you’ve grilled the vegetables, add a touch of vinegar or crumbled feta cheese for a zesty kick. In just 4-5 minutes you’ll have a healthy and tasty side dish that guests will love.
- Go Fish!: Seafood such as salmon and shrimp cook very well on a grill, says Eisen. Plus, it’s a leaner form of protein, which means you can indulge sans guilt. Eisen also suggests grilling fish on skewers for kebobs to make for a fun presentation.
- Sweet Treats: According to Eisen, one the best things about summer is the delicious fruits that are available during the season. She recommends substituting rich desserts for lighter options, such as fresh berries or melons.
But you don’t have to wait for dessert to enjoy summer fruit. One delicious way to enjoy watermelon is to add it to a green salad with feta cheese. The salty cheese will enhance the sweetness of the watermelon. Another option is to grill some stone fruit such as peaches, apricots, or nectarines and add them to a mesculan green salad, toss in a lemony vinaigrette and you have a delicious, healthy start to your feast.
- Cocktail Time: Everyone knows that no summer party is complete without a signature cocktail! That’s why Eisen has created her signature Blueberry Martini. Here’s how to re-create it on your own:
o Muddle a small handful of blueberries (5 to 7 berries) with 1 tsp of simple syrup (this will make the drink sweeter, but not too sweet)
o Add a cup of ice, 2 oz. of blueberry vodka, ½ oz. of triple sec
o Shake and strain into a martini glass
o Garnish with a skewer of fresh blueberries
And now that you’ve eaten super healthy, we’ve decided it’s okay to indulge just a little bit. Fortunately, Ricky also runs a fun cookie company, The Crafted Cookie, which specializes in cookies, brownies and whoopee pies. The shop is baking up a storm for the 4th of July and have not only the most adorable and patriotic cookies, but also the most delicious. You will be sure to impress your guests by serving up these fun cookies after your delicious barbeque, so be sure to order yours asap. For those not throwing a bbq bash for the 4th, don’t worry–you can still order just as tasty treats from The Crafted Cookie without the patriotic theme. You really can’t go wrong.
Now go outside, get grilling, and have some fun!
