Recipes For a Healthier Summer BBQ | Blog Post

– by Sunburst Superfoods

Recipes For a Healthier Summer BBQ | Blog Post

It's finally starting to feel like summer is upon us, which means weekend BBQs will soon fill our calendars! Indulging once in awhile is okay, but once these parties become weekly events, it can get to be a lot of unhealthy food. From fatty burgers to sugary iced cupcakes, for the health-conscious, summer can be a difficult time. Luckily, there are ways for us to enjoy BBQs and still feel healthy at the end of them; all we need are a few healthy BBQ recipes! Here are some of our favorites that we’ve collected for our upcoming parties. Happy summer, superfoodies!

BBQ DISHES:

Grilled Salmon Burgers with Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

Burgers:

  • 1 pound salmon fillet
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1/2 poblano pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt 
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Avocado Salsa:

  • 1 large ripe avocado - peeled, seeded, and chopped
  • 1/2 poblano pepper seeded and chopped
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Skin and chop salmon fillet and put in large bowl. Add panko, poblano,egg, lemon or lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix well.
  2. Heat BBQ to medium high heat.Cook for about 4 minutes on each side until cooked through.
  3. Combine all ingredients for avocado salsa in medium bowl and top burgers with salsa. Serve with or without bun.

Cabernet Portabello Mushroom Burger

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon (option to use balsamic vinegar instead)
  • 1/4 cup minced shallots
  • 1 tablespoon Coconut Butter
  • 2 teaspoons Coconut Palm Sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Raw Coconut Oil
  • 4 large portabello mushrooms, stems removed
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 (4 1/2-inch) squares focaccia, cut horizontally in half
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 8 large heirloom tomato slices
  • 2 cups arugula

Directions:

  1. Combine the wine and shallots in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the mixture has reduced to about 1/2 cup. Whisk in the butter and sugar; remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Heat a grill to high heat. Brush the grates with oil, then place the mushrooms on the grill gill-side down. Brush the tops of the mushrooms with the cabernet sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes, then flip the mushrooms over. Brush the gill-side with additional sauce and cook for 5 minutes more. Flip the mushrooms one more time and brush the tops with the rest of the sauce. Once the mushrooms are easily pierced with a fork (the time depends on the thickness of the mushrooms, but most will be done after 15 minutes on the grill), top them each with a slice of cheese and transfer the mushrooms to a plate.
  3. Brush the cut sides of the bread with oil and sprinkle with rosemary. Place the bread, cut-side down, onto the grill and cook until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Top the bottom halves of the bread with the mushrooms, tomatoes, and arugula. Cover with the top halves of the bread.

BBQ SIDES:

Simple Seedy Slaw

Ingredients:

Coleslaw:

  • 2 cups finely sliced purple cabbage
  • 2 cups finely sliced green cabbage
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Up to ¾ cup mixed seeds (chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds)

Lemon dressing:

  • ¼ cup Raw Coconut Oil
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the prepared purple and green cabbage, carrots and parsley. Set aside.
  2. Measure out your seeds into a small skillet. Toast over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the seeds are fragrant and the pepitas are starting to make little popping noises. Pour the toasted seeds into the mixing bowl and toss to combine.
  3. To make the dressing, in a small bowl, combine the oil with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Add the garlic, cumin and salt and whisk until thoroughly blended.
  4. Drizzle the dressing over the slaw and toss until all of the ingredients are lightly coated in dressing. Taste and add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice if the slaw needs a little more zip. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to marinate for up to several hours.

Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

Ingredients:

  • 4 small sweet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons Raw Coconut Oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional garnishes: grilled lime wedges, cotija or feta crumbles, chopped cilantro

Directions:

  1. Put a large pot of salted water on the stove and bring to a boil. Cut each sweet potato lengthwise into 4 pieces. Transfer to pot and simmer for about 15 minutes until just barely fork tender, but not mushy.
  2. Drain, being careful not to crush the potatoes, and dry well.
  3. Preheat grill to high heat. Place sweet potatoes on foil-lined baking sheet or platter, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder, salt and pepper.
  4. Grill on each side until lightly charred and crispy. Remove to serving dish and add grilled lime wedges, crumbled cotija or feta cheese, chopped cilantro, and another pinch of sea salt, to taste.

BBQ DESSERTS

Acai Berry Popsicles

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth
  2. Pour into popsicle molds or if use an ice cube tray and popsicle sticks. Freeze 4-6 hours.
  3. Run frozen molds under warm water for about a minute to remove the popsicles. 

Coconut Lime Chia Raspberry Chia Pudding

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp Chia Seeds
  • 1 tbsp Shredded Coconut
  • Sugar/honey to taste
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp lime zest

Directions:

  1. Combine half the raspberries and the remaining ingredients in a large container. Mix well and close container. Refrigerate overnight or at least 5-6 hours.
  2. Divide into 2 bowls or glass dishes, top with remaining berries and serve. 

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