With only a few weekends left of summer, it’s time to take the party outdoors and make the most of it with a BBQ! What better time to spend outdoors with friends and family than when the sun is shining?
Of course, remember to be careful while out in the sun for a long time. Here are some of our ideas to satisfy your guests’ hunger and cravings while keeping it healthy.
Start With a Healthy Lemonade
Let’s start by quenching your guests’ thirst! One great idea is to add a spin to your regular lemonade. There are so many options to choose from and your guests will love the fruity, refreshing taste! The main ingredients are lemon or lime juice, a touch of sugar (optional), and water. Next, you can add a variety of different flavours! Some options are adding blended strawberries, pomegranate juice, or raspberries. Our personal favourite is adding a handful of blended raspberries and peaches. You can get creative and have fun with different types of fruits you wish to add. Another cool idea would be to put the lemonade in a large beverage dispenser (you can find affordable ones at your closest convenience store). Not only does it make your party look extra decorative, but it is more convenient for easy serving!
Summer Fresh Salad
Next, you’ll need an appetizing starter. A great and tasty salad is a corn, avocado, and black bean salad! All you need is:
– 2 cups of corn
– 2 cups of grape tomatoes
– 1-15 oz can of black beans
– 2 avocados
– 1 red onion
– 1/4 cup cilantro
For the dressing, just mix together:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp black pepper
Toss it all together and you are ready to indulge! We suggest using plastic plates and cups so that after your BBQ party, there is minimal cleaning and more time to relax and enjoy the evening.
Simple & Healthy BBQ Tips
Now, for the part everyone has been waiting for…the main meal! One great option is Grilled Salmon Kebabs. This is definitely a Dr. Oommen recommended meal! These ingredients will give the salmon a sweet and smoky flavor all while staying super healthy!
For this amazing new BBQ recipe the ingredients are:
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
– 2 tsp sesame seeds
– 1 tsp ground cumin
– 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
– 1 1/2 pound of skinless wild salmon fillet (cut into 1-inch cube pieces)
– 2 lemons (thinly sliced into rounds)
– olive oil cooking spray
– 1 tsp kosher salt
– 16 bamboo skewers (soaked in water 1 hour to avoid burning)
Thread the salmon and fold the lemon slices onto the skewers. A good trick is to use
2 skewers so that they don’t roll when you turn them on the grill. This should only take about 8-10 minutes and your meal is ready to be served!
Another great idea for a main meal are mini burgers! These are perfect for BBQ’s because they are super trendy, clean, quick, and easy to make. Basically, you can make your favorite type of burgers, just smaller. They can be personalized with lots of different toppings to satisfy everyone’s preferences. Your guests are sure to love this one!
Once you’ve all waited a while and are ready to munch on a snack, we suggest this awesome Creamy Artichoke and Leek Dip! Our Athletic Therapist, who loves to cook, introduced us to this delicious dip!
All you need is:
– a light mayonnaise-type dressing
– dry Leek soup mix
– sour cream
– artichoke hearts that have been drained and diced
– finely chopped garlic
– shredded mozzarella cheese or any of your favourite types of cheese
Pre-heat your oven to 350º F, bake uncovered for 30 minutes, and serve with tortilla chips. We all loved this dip and it was gone sooner than we knew it! This will be a guaranteed hit at your BBQ!
With the variety of healthy foods to choose from and indulge in, there is no way your guests will be disappointed! Decorate your backyard to your liking, put on some of your favorite music, and you’re all set for the best BBQ Party this summer! The people at your party are already great, and with these scrumptious meals, it will make for a fun and memorable day. We always preach about longevity; being healthy and happy are huge pieces to the puzzle of living a long, strong and happy life!