Source: ezinearticles.com
Barbecue season has finally arrived, and with it comes eating outdoors and enjoying this fleeting season entertaining family and friends. When planning your barbecue menu, keep in mind health as well as taste.The first rule of barbecue is to use safe food handling and cooking practices. During the warmer months, food left out for more than fifteen minutes can unleash harmful bacteria, causing illness. Keep all meat, fish and poultry refrigerated until ready to use. Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and immediately refrigerate at the end of the barbecue.Choose low fat, nutrient dense foods by buying lean cuts of meat, low-cal marinades and plenty of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Bread is an essential ingredient for any barbecue, and offering whole grain bread satisfies this need and is a healthy partner to barbecued dishes.Trim excess fat from meat before grilling, buy ground beef that is at least 90% fat free, and remove skin from chicken. Mixing equal amounts of ground beef and ground turkey adds a nutritional boost to burgers.Marinade tougher cuts of meat in low calorie marinade or make your own. One cup of balsamic vinegar combined with a quarter cup olive oil, and a tablespoon of salt free seasoning makes a delicious, healthy marinade. Place meat in marinade early in the day, and refrigerate, turning occasionally.Make a chicken marinade by combining, one-cup raspberry vinegar, one-quarter cup olive oil, three tablespoons lemon juice, the juice of one orange along with orange and lemon zest, and one teaspoon granulated garlic. Place chicken in marinade in the morning, refrigerate, and turn occasionally throughout the day.Pasta is a favorite side dish at barbecues. Buy whole wheat or whole grain pasta and prepare according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, cut fresh vegetables into bite size pieces, and sprinkle with a bit of granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, chives and cilantro. Drizzle olive oil over veggies, wrap in aluminum foil and grill. Toss with pasta, and add your favorite low calorie dressing, for a delicious, healthy salad.Potato and macaroni salads are popular barbecue side dishes, but the added mayonnaise can send calories soaring into unhealthy realms, and be a real diet buster. When preparing these salads, add a few bite size veggies like broccoli florets, diced onion and grated carrot. Substitute the mayo with low calorie ranch dressing, or add one-tablespoon low calorie mayonnaise to tarragon vinegar and a sprinkling of olive oil.Be creative by offering several salads in addition to the requisite tossed salad. Spinach, red pepper and mushrooms are a great choice. Combine cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, red pepper and carrots in a large bowl. Add a handful of sliced almonds, top with low calorie buttermilk dressing for a colorful, festive, healthy salad.Dessert does not have to mean calorie laden cakes, cookies and ice cream. Place fresh strawberries and blueberries in a cup, top with low fat yogurt and a handful of sliced almonds or walnut pieces. Berries topped with frozen yogurt also make an elegant, healthy dessert.Ice-cold fresh lemonade, refreshing smoothies and low fat milk are a nutritious alternative to soda and other sugary drinks.Don't forget the vegetarians on your barbecue guest list. Supermarkets carry a good selection of tofu products, veggie burgers, meatless chicken nuggets and meatless hot dogs perfect for vegetarians.Finally enjoy the summer season by spending time with family and friends. Go for a walk or bike ride around your neighborhood, take a stroll on the beach or play a game of volleyball in your back yard. Including physical activities as part of your barbecue is great for everyone's health and well-being.
Marianne L. Kelly
Marianne L. Kelly, a former chef, is journalist, editor and web content writer. As a restaurant chef/manager she offered delicious, healthy alternatives to high calorie, high fat, high sugar and sodium laden foods. She designed her own healthy eating plan and has helped others do the same. Marianne has written three themed main stream cookbooks. She is currently working on a third that follows each season with stories, poems, thoughts and sayings along with healthy recipes from the bounty of each season. Marianne works with a web designer writing original content and re-writes, and is available for hire. For more information visit http://www.safeharbourpress.com - http://www.strawintogold.weebly.com
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