Health and Wellness - BBQ Ideas

With August in full swing many of you will have BBQs planned with family and friends, whatever the weather, so we thought we would put together some simple ideas  on how to keep your BBQ healthy but still impress your guests

 

Marinades

Making your own marinades can mean less sugar and salt than the shop bought versions.

They are a simple way to add bursts of flavour to meat, fish and vegetables.

Here two quick marinade ideas:

Spicy – mix equal amounts of honey, reduced salt soy sauce and sriracha sauce together. Add a squeeze of lime. This is perfect for poultry.

Herby – stir finely chopped fresh herbs (try thyme, parsley, mint and chives) into olive oil and crushed garlic. Add some lemon zest and black pepper. This is ideal for fish.

 

Safety precautions

Marinade in a plastic bag or container and place in the fridge as bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature, increasing the risk of food poisoning.

Steer clear of cross contamination when handling raw meat or fish by washing hand thoroughly with soap along with any brushes you have used on the meat or fish.

 

Flavour boosters

   Scatter herbs and spices around the edges of your coals to give the BBQ smoke a lovely aroma. Try cinnamon sticks, whole star anise or bay leaves

        Use large sprigs of woody herbs such as thyme or rosemary as a brush for oils and marinades.

 

Simple sides

      Mix sliced watermelon, cucumber, thinly sliced red onion and pitted black olives. Dress with lemon juice, olive oil and fresh mint leaves before serving

        Jazz up coleslaw by adding grated green apple, dried cranberries and toasted nuts

      Barbeque mini corn on the cobs then brush lightly with olive oil, chilli powder, crumbled feta and fresh coriander

 

Put veggies on the grill

Vegetables can be barbecued too! Skewer a selection of vegetables and brush lightly with vegetable or olive oil or wrap a selection in foil with a slice of lemon and a splash of water to steam them.

 

Keep your guests cool

These honey yoghurt tropical ice-blocks are a great dessert for a BBQ and kids and adults with love them

Difficulty – Easy | Prep – 10mins | Ready in – 5 hours |

INGREDIENTS

• 125ml of plain yoghurt

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ½ a mango

you can freeze remaining mango in a zip-lock bag

for up to 3 months. Use in smoothies, ice-blocks,

cakes or muffins

• 125ml fresh orange juice

• 2 medium passion fruit

you will need 60g of passion fruit pulp

• Freezer ice block moulds (6 holes)

METHOD

Mix yoghurt and honey together, spoon 1 tablespoon

yoghurt into each mould. Freeze for 1 hour or until just firm.

Meanwhile, blend mango and orange juice until smooth.

Transfer to a jug. Stir in passion-fruit. Carefully pour over

yoghurt in moulds.

Place lids on moulds.

Freeze for 4 hours or until frozen.

Serve Honey yoghurt tropical ice-blocks and enjoy!