10 healthy grilling recipes you'll love
Barbecuing is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend time outdoors, combining the taste of adventure with the joy of sharing meals. However, for many of us, barbecue is primarily associated with hard-to-digest, fatty meats and sausages. Fortunately, grilling can also be healthy and full of flavor, as long as you choose the right ingredients and preparation techniques. In this article, I'll introduce you to 10 recipes for healthy grilling that will not only delight your taste buds, but also bring more lightness and nutrients to your menu.
1. grilled vegetables with yogurt dip
Grilled vegetables are a classic for healthy grilling. To add flavor and creaminess to them, prepare a yogurt dip with herbs and garlic. Use seasonal vegetables such as zucchini, peppers, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill until tender and lightly tan. Serve with a yogurt dip, which you prepare by mixing thick natural yogurt with chopped fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and a little garlic.
2. chicken marinated in lemon and herbs
Grilled chicken doesn't have to be boring! A marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and basil), garlic, salt and pepper will give the meat a unique aroma and juiciness. Cut the chicken breast into thicker slices, dip in the marinade and set aside for at least an hour. Then grill over medium heat until golden and fully cooked. Serve with grilled lemon slices for extra flavor.
3. grilled eggplant salad with feta and pomegranate
This Mediterranean inspiration combines flavors that are perfect for warm summer days. Slice the eggplant, salt and set aside for a few minutes to get rid of the bitterness. Then grill until soft and with light grill marks. Arrange the grilled eggplant slices on a plate, sprinkle with crumbled feta, pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley. Drizzle the whole thing with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This salad will surprise you with its combination of flavors and textures.
4. grilled salmon with avocado and mango
Salmon is a fish that is perfect for grilling. For extra flavor and nutritional value, serve it with avocado and mango salsa. Salmon: brush the fillet with olive oil, salt and pepper, then grill skin side down until the skin is crispy. Salsa: in a bowl combine cubes of ripe mango, avocado, red onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper. Serve the grilled salmon layered over the salsa, for a light but filling dish.
5. chicken and pineapple skewers
The combination of sweet pineapple and juicy chicken is a recipe for success. Chicken: dice chicken breast and dip in a marinade of olive oil, pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Pineapple: cut into cubes. Then stuff the chicken and pineapple on skewers and grill until the chicken is done and the pineapple is lightly caramelized. These exotic skewers are sure to impress your guests.
6. grilled peaches with Greek yogurt
Grilled dessert? Of course you can! Grilled peaches with Greek yogurt is a simple but extremely tasty dessert. Peaches: cut in half and take out the seeds, then grill with the cut side down until they are soft and begin to caramelize. Serve warm with a spoonful of thick Greek yogurt on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon and garnish with mint leaves for extra flavor. It's a combination of flavors that will delight everyone.
7. grilled zucchini with parmesan cheese
Zucchini is another vegetable that works great on the grill. For added flavor and elegance, sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese. Slice the zucchini lengthwise into half-centimeter slices, brush with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grill on both sides. When the zucchini is soft but still slightly crunchy, sprinkle it generously with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. This simple but extremely tasty dish is sure to please all vegetable lovers.
8. grilled shrimp with garlic butter
Grilled shrimp is a quick and easy dish that always impresses. Garlic butter adds depth of flavor and aroma to them. Shrimp: clean and pat dry. Garlic butter: melt the butter and add chopped garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper to it. Stuff the shrimp on skewers, brush with garlic butter and grill on each side for a few minutes each, until ready. Serve immediately, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley.
9. grilled yams with guacamole
The yams, thanks to their sweetness, are a great addition to spicy guacamole. Batats: cut into thick slices, brush with olive oil and salt, then grill until tender. Guacamole: mash a ripe avocado, add chopped onion, tomato, lime juice, salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve grilled yam slices with guacamole as a healthy snack or side dish for a main course.
10. grilled halloumi and watermelon salad
The combination of salty halloumi cheese and sweet watermelon is an unexpected but extremely tasty combination of flavors, perfect for a summer dinner. Slice halloumi cheese and grill until golden brown. Cut the watermelon into cubes. Arrange the watermelon on a plate, top it with grilled halloumi, and garnish the whole thing with mint leaves and drizzle with balsamic sauce. This light and refreshing salad is sure to please anyone looking for new flavors.
