Figure-Friendly Grilling

Grilling, or the cooking of food over a charcoal or gas fire, is considered a healthful cooking technique among the food and culinary community. To put this into terms that the health conscious, home cook might want to hear:

Your diet does not need to go out the backdoor when it comes to summer grilling.

It’s as simple as that! Better yet, preparing healthful foods on the grill requires few tools and ingredients- and with some basic grilling knowledge, anyone can be an expert.

Here are some of my full-proof grilling tips for the novice to expert Grill Master:

1. Rubs and Marinades

Make your own rubs with a variety of seasonings, spices, and dried herbs. If your rub or barbecue sauce contains sugar, brush it on toward the end of cooking to prevent charring. When making your own marinade, experiment with flavorful ingredients such as lemon juice, orange juice, citrus zest, and balsamic vinegar.

2. Grilled Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are DELICIOUS when grilled- so why not pair them alongside your favorite meats?  The flavor of fruits and vegetables are naturally intensified when they have been grilled. Because a lot of the moisture evaporates from fruits and vegetables as they are grilled, the flavor becomes more concentrated and the sugars become more condensed, increasing their sweetness and flavor.

3. BBQ Dessert

Grilled fruit is a healthy and refreshing dessert alternative for summer barbeques. As I said before, grilling fruit causes its natural sugar to caramelize, intensifying the flavor. Use cut peaches, apples, or banana halves or whole fruit, such as strawberries, and brush lightly with olive oil or spray with a cooking spray. Top grilled fruit with a dollop of frozen yogurt or Greek-style yogurt, and you’ll have yourself a sweet ending to a great grilled meal.

4. Food Safety

Whether you are at the grill or in the kitchen, it’s important to remember to prepare, handle and store food properly to keep you and your family safe from food-borne illness. Always remember to keep your grill clean, use different platters for raw and cooked foods, and to have your food thermometer on hand so you can check the internal temperature of cooked meats. Use these simple guidelines to for grilling food safely.