Please help me welcome Erica Foote, nutrition student at the University of Nevada, Reno who is a guest blogger this week. Thank you to Erica for this blog and her work behind the scenes in getting my weekly posts to you.
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Memorial day is right around the corner, and so is barbeque season. While hamburgers and hotdogs seem to be the standard faire at barbeques, there are so many more nutritious, creative options. Need some inspiration for your next barbeque? Look no further! Below are a compilation of some of my favorite barbeque recipes from online cooking blogs.
Condiment
Watermelon Salsa
This spin on traditional salsa swaps tomato for watermelon to give it a sweet, summery twist. Try it as a refreshing topping for chicken, fish, or black bean tacos.
Appetizer
Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites
These cheesy, bite-sized snacks are the perfect app to bring to a barbecue with friends and family. Unlike chips and dip, these quinoa bites are rich in protein and fiber to tide you over until your meal.
Vegetarian Entrée
Portobello Burgers
One of the beauties of grilled portobello mushrooms is the meaty, umami flavor they impart on any dish they are placed in. While this recipe uses provolone cheese, goat cheese also nicely complements the spice of the arugula and acidity of the balsamic vinegar.
Entrée
Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers
These Thai chicken satay skewers are a unique, exotic spin on standard grilled chicken. Have leftovers? Chop any remaining chicken into a salad with red pepper and green onions, and dilute the peanut sauce with a bit of rice vinegar to make a delicious dressing!
Side Dish
Broccoli Apple Salad
I love bringing this dish to potluck barbeques. The variety of textures and flavors in this salad are incredible. Typically I prepare it the morning before a barbeque, with the exception of the chopped apple (dice and throw in an apple at the very last minute to keep it fresh!). This allows the broccoli to marinate in the dressing and the flavors to blend.
Dessert
Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Honey Ricotta
Grilled peaches are amazing by themselves, but adding cinnamon-honey ricotta adds an element of sophistication to barbeques for special occasions.
I hope these recipes give you some ideas for your next barbeque! If you try any of these recipes, let us know what you think in the comments section below:
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Karen Fisher, MS, RDN, CDE is a dietitian in Reno, Nevada, happily promoting the benefits of healthy foods at her nutrition consulting firm, Nutrition Connection.
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