The warm summer months are ideal for enjoying good cuisine and good company. You’ve passed the cooler months, so it’s time to enjoy the fresh summer vegetables for a lighter, healthier diet. There are many options to prepare a healthy food that will appeal to everyone when the grill is fired up for a barbecue. At your next outdoor party, dazzle your guests with one of these 10 nutritious dishes.
1. WATERCRESS, TOMATO, AND STRAWBERRY SALAD A salad with strawberries, tomatoes, and watercress is tasty as an appetizer or for lunch.
Pink peppercorns, strawberries, a little honey, lemon juice, and olive oil can be used to make prepare the perfect salad dressing .
To form a paste, crush the peppercorns with the strawberries after toasting them. In a bowl, combine honey, lemon juice, and olive oil; whisk. To make a fruity dressing with a kick, adjust the seasonings.
2. MANGO SALSA AND BAKED SALMON What could be healthier than mango and salmon? Tropical fruits are a must-have for summer cuisine.
The important vitamins and elements rich in omega-3 fatty acids are present in baked salmon topped with mango salsa.
Salmon fillets should be rubbed with paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper. Honey and lemon should be used to balance the flavor.
3. CHICKEN GRILLED IN CHIMICHURA SAUCE Thanksgiving turkey preparation, from thawing to roasting the bird to a perfect 175 ℉ , is a science, as any home cook can tell you.
Grilling enthusiasts would probably feel the same way, striving for the ideal softness and a flavor explosion.
A flavorful and nutritious topping for grilled chicken or steak, chimichurri is created from olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, and garlic. Even better, prepare chimichurri 24 hours in advance it in the fridge until you’re ready to utilize it.
Fourth, CHIPOTLE GAZPACHO Winter’s hot, creamy soups might no longer be an option, just as cocoa is out and a refreshing glass of lemonade sipped through a straw is in. But for healthy summer eating, gazpacho is a great substitute.
Vitamin C-rich chipotle gazpacho is a cold soup . The following ingredients will be blended until smooth: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, scallions, garlic, almonds, lime juice, olive oil, and chipotle paste.
Before serving, place in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Add avocado and additional almonds on top.
GRILLED AVOCADO SALAD, No. 5 You may grill a variety of meals outside just meat. Avocados that have been grilled have a smokey flavor that goes nicely with a bed of fresh romaine.
But what truly makes this salad stand out is the herb-yogurt dressing. Greek yogurt keeps it low-fat is fat-free, while shallots, chives, thyme, dill, and garlic add flavorful freshness.
CALAMARIZED TOMATO BRUSCHETTA 6. Baguettes with toasted bruschetta on top will make the ideal appetizer for your summer picnic.
Before grilling your baguettes, brush them with olive oil. Because they will probably fall between the grates, you should use an cast-iron skillet to char cherry tomatoes .
Add roasted tomatoes, ricotta, basil, salt, and pepper to the baguettes as garnish.
7. SKEWERS WITH GRILLED SHRIMP AND WATERMELON Another fruit that enjoyably smokey flavor from the barbecue is watermelon. For a quick and easy nutritious dinner, skewer it with seasoned shrimp.
Shrimp should first be marinated with lime juice, zest, mint, thyme, chili flakes, garlic, salt, and pepper. You can use bamboo skewers or flat metal skewers that have been soaked in water for 30 minutes.
Using six to nine skewers, arrange slices of watermelon and shrimp on them. Grill the skewers until the shrimp are cooked through and char marks develop on the watermelon.
8. STREET CORN SALAD FROM MEXICO Anyone who tries Mexican street corn will find it to be spicy, smoky, and sweet, gratifying their palates.
Although you can change the components as you like in the salad version, it is considerably more easier to eat than straight off the cob .
Corn, cotija cheese, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, paprika, and jalapeño peppers are the key components of Mexican street corn salad.
CUCUMBERS AND TOMATO SALAD 9. Making a fresh prepare the perfect salad dressing 0 is simple. Additionally, it serves as an occasion to purchase fresh, regional vegetables at your local farmers market.
English cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions in slices are all you need. Olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs—parsley, basil, and dill are all good choices—should all be combined in a bowl.
PEACH BASIL SORBET 10. prepare the perfect salad dressing 1 for dessert will put an end to your summer barbecue. You’ll also need coconut milk, basil leaves, maple syrup or honey, and frozen peaches.
In a food processor, pulse the peaches with the remaining ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Freeze.
Before serving, garnish with more basil leaves and fresh berries.
HEALTHY EATING FOR THE SUMMER Summer is the ideal time of year to adopt healthy habits and clean up your diet. Use seasonal fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques to create these healthful meals for an outdoor barbeque.
Author bio
In addition to being the founder and editor-in-chief of prepare the perfect salad dressing 2, Jane is an environmental writer who focuses on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
