With the weather set fair for another great weekend, it looks as if we can get out-and-about with family and friends and enjoy a BBQ. Here are some ideas that are finger-licking good and still healthy eating. These are also great ideas for using with your health grill at any time and not just for BBQs.
SLIMTONE MEMBERS’ IDEAS FOR TASTY KEBABS
These really bring colour and variety to any meal and are quick to prepare. Simply use lean meat, chicken breast, prawns etc., skewered together with lots of peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, onions or courgettes.
Vegetable Kebabs are also tasty and there’s no limit to your imagination. Favourites are button mushrooms, cubed cucumber, cherry tomatoes, peppers, celery, silver skinned pickle onions, even fennel or courgettes – you decide what you fancy! The range of colours make it a feast for the eyes and you can be creative with any the dressings and sauces suggested below – they’re almost calorie free.
Fruit Kebabs are also delicious – apples, peaches, nectarines, pineapple or grapes are just some that can be enjoyed – and for a touch of decadence add a squirt of aerosol cream or blob of ice cream.
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Tandoori Chicken
This is a very popular recipe and so easy! Skin and bone a chicken portion. Mix a 15ml tablespoon of plain, low-fat yoghurt with curry powder to taste. Marinate the chicken in the yoghurt mixture for a few hours before cooking. Either leave the chicken pieces whole or cut into chunks and cook on skewers (make sure it cooks through thoroughly). The one cal garlic or chilli spray is also popular with our members.
Fish
Delicious marinated in lemon juice, fish is so simple to cook. Just mist a piece of double-layered foil with your one cal spray, place fish on a bed of sliced onions, mushrooms and peppers and make a “parcel” before barbecuing. Use this method for chicken and meat too. Salmon is delicious – it not only looks good but is a really healthy alternative to meat. Try topping with slices of fresh lemon or drizzling with sweet chilli sauce before cooking – I know you will agree it certainly adds a fab flavour.
Sausage Pockets
Place 6 low fat sausages on the BBQ and gently brown, turning regularly. Mix 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 small diced onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of tomato ketchup in a bowl and towards the end of cooking baste the sausages a few times with the sauce, reserving a small amount for serving. Slice sausages, place in warm pitta bread/wraps with plenty of salad and a spoonful of sauce. This also makes a tasty filling for baguettes and paninis. Serve with Slimtone coleslaw.
SUPER SIDES
Garlic Bread
Splitting a French stick lengthways can make a tasty, low-calorie version of this popular snack. Spread the bread with low fat spread mixed with easy garlic. Wrap in foil and place on the BBQ (or in a hot oven) for five minutes. This is also a great idea for crispy rolls which can be served with any meal of your choice.
Roasted Onions
Cook by wrapping in foil and baking, or leave in skin and microwave on full power for five minutes. Remove skin when cooked.
Tasty Garlic Mushrooms
Mist a large square of foil, add sliced mushrooms and a clove of crushed garlic (or use the garlic flavoured one cal) and season lightly before making into a parcel and cooking for about 15 mins.
Potatoes
Jacket potatoes are great with a BBQ. Simply wrap in foil and cook for approx. one hour depending on size. Or for something different, boil new potatoes until tender, drain and toss with crushed garlic and rosemary (both are optional) and pop onto foil that has been misted with one cal. Fold the parcel tightly and pop onto grill and you will soon be enjoying ‘roasties’ with your meal.
ADD A REFRESHING SALAD
Salad
Make a salad with rocket, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, radish, celery etc. and serve with freshly boiled rice, couscous or orzo. Lots of low cal salad dressings are now available but I highly recommend mixing equal portions of fresh orange juice with mint sauce – it’s delicious on salad.
Coleslaw
Always make your own using carrots, cabbage and onions. Dress with Hellman’s Extra Light Mayonnaise. I enjoy a large portion served with grated half fat cheese or prawns. For an extra taste add a splash of garlic sauce or for a fruity flavour, add pineapple and apple instead of onion. Finely chopped parsley is also tasty. Always add mayo just before serving, as it is low in fat you will find it will go rather watery if left for some time.
Fruit Salad
Make up a bowl of fruit salad and serve with yoghurt. Bananas cooked in their skins are delicious served with ice cream. I always use the small can of mandarin oranges in its own juice – really tasty with all the other favourites.
MARIE’S TIP: Take advantage of the low fat sausages, burgers etc. – they’re all really tasty. For a bit of a difference, several supermarkets are now stocking Beetroot Burgers which are approx 180 cals each.
SAUCES and DIPS
Barbecue Sauce
Simmer a can of chopped tomatoes with onions and season with salt, pepper and Worcester sauce as a low calorie sauce. Tomato ketchup, mustard or tomato relish will all liven up your meal.
Delicious Dips
Try adding a dash of sweet chilli sauce, balsamic vinegar or curry powder to extra light mayo for a tasty dipping sauce. Lighten it up with a spoonful of low cal plain yogurt. A tasty addition to any of our suggested recipes.
There are also lots of low calorie dressings for salads and stir fries in the supermarket all which enhance the flavour of the meal – keep your eyes open and let us know which ones are your favourites.
Mmmm, my mouth is watering already! I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine.
Marie x
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