Summer time is among us, with weekends full of beach barbecues, communal eating, and wondering around the local farmer’s markets and festivals. With this season offering perfect outdoor cooking weather why not take advantage and turn a normal Saturday into an excuse for inviting loved one’s over and sharing a great meal.
I myself come from a large family focused around gatherings, and in turn our gatherings are focused around food. So over the years I’ve devised a very sneaky plan based on that very principle, the theory that healthful food can effortlessly be switched out with the customary menu. With the usual suspects being a sour cream dip with fried potato chips, meat slathered with sugary barbecue sauce, and calorie packed sodas and beer.
I’ve come up with a very outdoor friendly barbecue menu which I’ve personally tested out on some self proclaimed picky eaters with much success. So here you go! I dare you to step outside the barbecue box!
Grilled Pita Chips with Creamy Dill Dip (Serves 2)
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
• 2 tablespoons chives, minced
• sea salt
• 2 whole wheat pita rounds
Directions: Rip pita into chip size bites, place on low heat grill, and sprinkle small amount of water over top, then with sea salt. Mix all other ingredients together and add salt to your desire.
Balsamic Chicken Breast with Fresh Mozzarella (Serves 2)
• 2- 6 oz Chicken breasts
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 1 sprig fresh basil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 roma tomato, sliced
• sea salt
• black pepper
• 2- 8 inch wooden skewers, soaked in water
Directions: Marinate Chicken in balsamic vinegar for as long as you can, preferably overnight. Place whole basil, sliced tomato, and sliced mozzarella on one side of the chicken breast, fold in half and skewer to keep closed. Grill over medium heat until done. This will take about 7-9 minutes on each side.
Strawberry Fresco
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, crushed
• ¼ cup agave nectar
• 2-8 oz bottles of mineral water
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint
Directions: Mix all ingredients together and serve over ice.
Recipes Presented By:
Theresa Martinez, Executive Chef
Optimal Nutrition, Inc.
858.202.0445 ext 104
858.225.3918 fax
www.optimalnutritioninc.com
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