Health, diet, fitness, life

After a long winter, we love to celebrate the arrival of summer in Alberta with barbecues, picnics, and other excuses to eat outside. There’s nothing better than gathering with friends to enjoy some food and drinks under the sun. Burgers and hotdogs tend to be the standard fare at these events but is it time for something else? With lots of fruits and vegetables in season during the summer, there are many ways to put a healthier spin on outdoor eating.

Continue reading to learn some tips, tricks and recipes to try on the grill and in the kitchen this summer!

On The Grill

Who says meat always has to be the star of the show at a barbecue? Why not grill up some vegetables! They add a pop of colour to your plate and some more nutrients to the meal. The store bought veggie platter might seem like the easiest option but grilling vegetables can be just as easy and even more impressive to your guests. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Mixed Vegetable Kabobs – Put vegetables like peppers, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms on skewers and brush with a mixture of olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Then grill on medium high heat until tender and slightly charred (12-14 minutes).
• Grilled Sweet Potatoes – Slice sweet potatoes into ¼ inch slices and coat with olive oil and salt. Grill on high for 3-6 minutes per side. Enjoy with ketchup, aioli, or try tossing in a lime and cilantro vinaigrette like this recipe
• Honey Lime Grilled Corn – Brush grill grates with oil and grill corn cobs on medium-high heat for 18 to 20 minutes while rotating to cook on all sides. Once cooked, brush with a mixture of butter, honey, lime juice and herbs. See the full recipe here.
• Balsamic Grilled Mushrooms – Toss mushrooms with balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and black pepper. Arrange mushrooms on a skewer and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.

For more ideas on grilling vegetables, check out this website. Any of the above recipes would be a great side dish to steaks, burgers, hot dogs or whatever else you might be grilling.

Salads and Sides

Salads are great for summer because they are light, fresh and easy to transport. Look below for some of our favourite salad recipes that are sure to be the showstoppers at your next picnic.

If making a salad from scratch seems daunting, you can always trust Fit Kitchen to have your back. For a small gathering, our salads and bowls like the Sustain Greens or our NEW Trop Chop salad can be a great option. Just mix them up in a big bowl and share among friends. If you have a bigger group, try ordering our Family Style Buddha Bowl. You can choose your protein, greens, carb and vegetable toppings!

• Creamy Dill Potato Salad – Instead of a high-calorie mayonnaise dressing, this salad uses a vinaigrette with mustard and lots of herbs to give it tons of flavour. Find the recipe here.
• Caprese Pasta Salad – This is a twist on the classic caprese salad made with cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese and lots of fresh basil. The added pasta helps make this a filling salad that could be a meal in itself. Find the recipe here.
• Watermelon Cucumber Salad – This salad is so juicy and fresh, it is the perfect accompaniment to any meal on a hot day. Mix watermelon with cucumber, feta, fresh mint and a honey-lime dressing. Find the recipe here.

Sweet Treats

Now a summer meal is never complete without a sweet treat to finish it off. Instead of store bought cookies or ice cream sandwiches, try one of these fruit filled dessert ideas!

• Homemade Fruit Popsicles – Popsicles are so easy to make at home! All you need is a mold which can be easy to find online, or somewhere like Canadian Tire or Superstore. There are tons of recipes online with different fruit combinations. Try peach strawberry yogurt popsicles from this recipe.
• Grilled Honey Balsamic Peaches – This is the perfect ending to any barbecue. It can be made with any stone fruit, like nectarines or apricots. Grilled fruit is always delicious on its own but could be served with ice cream, whipped cream or cake as well. See the recipe
• Cheesecake Berry Parfaits – This is a quick and easy dessert that really highlights summer berries. Try whipping your own cream and sprinkling with graham cracker crumbs for some extra pizazz! See the full recipe

We hope you’ll try some of these fun and fresh recipes this summer to add some colour and nutrients to your meals and festivities. Fresh and local fruits and vegetables are only available for a few months each year in Alberta, so why not take advantage! If you can, try visiting your local farmers market to get the best produce for these recipes.

We want to see your creations! If you try one of these recipes, we would love to see a picture and get your feedback. Send us photos from your barbecues and picnics to our Instagram @fitkitchencanada or to our email info@fitkitchen.ca .

Image from: www.jessicagavin.com