How to Throw a Healthy Barbecue

By
Hillary Irwin
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halibutBarbecue season is finally upon us and that sure is reason to celebrate, but while burgers and hotdogs may be grilling classics they are not always the healthiest choices.  Incorporating healthy eating into your barbecue is simple.  The key is choosing recipes that are full of flavor, low in fat and super simple to make.  So fire up the grill and lets get cooking.

Simply Beautiful Mom’s Menu for a Perfect Summer BBQ:

Lemon, Rosemary Grilled Halibut

2 6-ounce wild halibut filets

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of white wine

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1 tablespoon of chopped rosemary

Mix together, olive oil, wine, lemon juice and rosemary in a shallow dish – place the fish in the dish and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour (turning mid-way).

Heat up an outdoor grill or a grill pan to high heat, grill fish for 4-5 minutes on each side.

quinoaFresh Vegetable Quinoa Salad
1/2 Cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup diced heirloom tomatoes
1 cup diced seedless cucumbers
the juice of 1 lemon
1 ounce of feta cheese, crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
Rinse and drain the quinoa well. Place the quinoa in a small saucepan along with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered until all of the water is absorbed, about 12 to 14 minutes; set aside and allow to cool.
Toss together the tomatoes, cucumbers and lemon juice. Add the quinoa and feta cheese and season with salt and pepper.
brusselssprouts
Grilled Brussels Sprouts
2 pounds of Brussels sprouts (ends trimmed then cut in half)
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and Kosher salt.  Place in a grill basket and grill over high heat for about 15 minutes until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, shaking the pan occasionally.
And for dessert…fruit kabobs!
Hillary cropHillary Irwin is a registered dietitian and the founder of Simply Beautiful Mom, a nutrition counseling and consulting practice based in New Jersey. In her practice, Hillary counsels children, adolescents and adults on many nutrition issues, with a focus on clean, balanced eating and weight management.  She is an expert at teaching clients how to fit proper eating and healthful cooking into a frantic lifestyle, taking the busiest of the busy and teaching how simple changes can create fantastic results.  Hillary holds a B.S in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Dietetics from Cornell University and a Masters Degree in Applied Anatomy and Physiology from Boston University.  She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND; formerly the American Dietetic Association), the New Jersey Dietetic Association, and various Dietetic Practice Groups of the AND, including Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition and Weight Management.  Hillary lives in Westfield, New Jersey with her husband Greg, her two children (Oscar, 4 and Lola, 2) and their dog Willard. She loves food, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.