Healthy, Affordable,
Convenient Cooking for Every Family
One of the benefits of grilling that my family enjoys is
that it’s convenient. We like to stock up on food when it is on sale –
especially meats, now that we have an extra freezer. In the morning we pull out
whatever we plan to have for dinner and put it on a shelf in the fridge. Late
in the afternoon we’ll throw on some marinade and by early evening it’s ready
for the grill.
Another benefit of grilling is that it keeps the utility
bills down. We aren’t using the stove, which runs off electricity. And because
the stove isn’t heating up the kitchen, the air conditioner doesn’t kick on as
often. The supplies that it takes for grilling (either charcoal or filling the
propane tank with gas) are much more economical than indoor cooking.
Don’t forget the health benefits of grilling! Here are three
of the more important ones:
- Excess fats drip off meat leaving less fat inside the meals you prepare
- Vegetables that are grilled retain more vitamins and nutrients
- The high heat seals in moisture which requires you to use fewer condiments
Everybody wants to live healthier, but taking that first
step can seem pretty daunting. And I don’t know anybody who wants to spend
their summer evenings slaving over a host stove in a sweltering kitchen. Sometimes
it’s hotter in the kitchen than it is outside!
5 Easy Recipes
While not everything is healthy just because it was cooked
on the grill, there are things you can do to help keep calorie content low and
nutritional content high. For example, limit toppings like high-calorie sauces,
butter, and sour cream, or use lean meats and other ingredients that are
healthy from the start. Here are some fabulous grilling ideas for dinner that
your family is sure to enjoy!
- Barbecue Chicken – In your blender mix
together 6 Roma tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 clove of garlic
(peeled), 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard, 1/4 cup of light brown sugar, 1/4 cup
of pure, local honey, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it is as near to
liquid as possible.
Place 2 pounds of chicken in a large dish and pour the sauce over it, marinating for at least an hour prior to grilling. Save a little sauce and heat it in a pan to drizzle over the chicken when it’s done, just before serving.
Pair with: devilled eggs, salad, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. - Grilled Pizza –
This is so easy! Use your blender to mix up 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomatoes
(oil-packed) with a little oil from the jar (just a few tablespoons). This is
your sauce! Spread evenly over pita bread. (You’ll have enough sauce to make
several!)
Add some scallions and some low-sodium turkey. Top with low-fat ricotta cheese and grill until the cheese is melted.
Pair with: veggie kebabs and then fruit salad for dessert. - Garlic Ribs – Mix
together 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup of white wine
vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of fresh thyme leaves (chopped). Use this to
marinate your ribs for an hour or so before cooking, and then grill until the
meat is cooked through.
Pairs with: macaroni & cheese, baby carrots, and grilled cantaloupe slices for dessert. - Portobello Burgers
– Vegetarian? No problem! Whisk up 1/4 cup each of olive oil and balsamic
vinegar of choice. Add in a couple of minced garlic cloves. Put this in a
gallon-sized Ziploc freezer bag and add 8 Portobello mushrooms. Let this sit
for about half an hour, but you’re also safe doing this the night before to
save time.
Grill for about 3 minutes per side and put on a hamburger bun. Top with fresh veggies like green pepper rings and onion slices. And don’t hold the mustard!
Pairs with: corn on the cob, potato salad, and homemade fruit sorbet for dessert. - Orange Shrimp –
Cancel that order of Chinese takeout! This marinade will cover about 24 large
shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails left on) which makes about 8 servings if you’re
dong appetizers.
In a mixing bowl combine shrimp with 2 teaspoons of grated orange zest (lime is a great alternative for this recipe), 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped thyme. Let sit for about half an hour, and then add three shrimp per skewer. Grill about 4 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are opaque throughout.
Pairs with: fried rice, asparagus, and of course fortune cookies for dessert!
Cooking Gourmet on
the Go!
Whether you are using the above grilling ideas for dinner or
want to enjoy freshly-grilled brats for breakfast while camping, Weber’s
Go-Anywhere charcoal grill lets you take the fun of grilling anywhere that you
go. Use it for tailgate parties, camping, or on your back porch.
Click the picture above to visit Amazon where you can get
this shipped to your house within the next couple of days! If you are a member
of Amazon Prime, then as always you can enjoy free shipping. Right now they are
also offering a discounted price, so don’t wait – order your Weber Go-Anywhere
charcoal grill now!
