Things You'll Need:
- BBQ grill
- Vegetables
- Seafood
- Oil
- Spices
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Step 1
Grill some vegetables.
As a low calorie alternative, vegetables are a common choice, but not often associated with grilling. Surprisingly, vegetables can offer great taste options for people looking for an alternative to the standard fatty burgers or ribs.
Mushrooms – As an alternative to burgers or steak, you have to give Portobello mushrooms a try. Pick out the biggest ones available in your local market, remove the stem and wipe clean with a vegetable brush or dry cloth. Marinade in soy sauce, sweet teriyaki sauce and fresh minced garlic for at least 20 minutes, then toss on a hot grill. Cook until the mushroom starts to soften around the edges, but still has a slightly firm center. Top with a little pepper and salt, then toss on a burger bun or on a plate with a salad for a great low calorie BBQ alternative.
Bell Peppers – When roasted on a grill, red, yellow and orange bell peppers will take on a slightly sweet, smoky taste that goes great with nearly any entrée item. Simply remove the stem and seeds, brush with a garlic / olive oil mixture, then dust with fresh cracked black pepper and salt. Grill over medium heat for about 20 minutes, turning often to keep the peppers from burning on one side. When the outside is slightly charred and the pepper is soft, remove from the grill and serve. Drizzle with good quality balsamic vinegar for an added treat.
Asparagus – At my house, we refer to asparagus as the “Veggie French Fry”. It's a very versatile food which can easily substitute for fries or chips on your BBQ spread. Brush asparagus spears with a little olive oil and cracked black pepper, then grill over high high for just a few minutes. Keep a close eye on the grill to avoid overcooking the spears, which will cause them to become limp and mushy. You can also wrap the spears in pancetta and grill until crisp for a great appetizer. -
Step 2
Throw some shrimp on the grill.
Although seafood is often on the BBQ menu, too often this means a fish fillet that has been grilled until overcooked and extremely dry. With a little creativity and attention, grilled seafood can become a great low calorie BBQ alternative.
Shrimp – The trick to great grilled shrimp is in the cooking time. Grilled too long and they quickly become tough and chewy, with little flavor. Try portioning your shrimp onto skewers of about 4 -5 shrimp each, and letting everyone grill their own. Using this method, you don't have to cook the shrimp ahead of time, which allows them to go cold or dry out on the serving plate. It's also a great way to get everyone gathered around the grill for some conversation and socializing while the skewers are grilling. Provide several dipping sauces, such as sweet & sour, tangy barbecue, spicy Thai or garlic butter, on the picnic table so that everyone can try different combinations and continue socializing.
Salmon – Salmon is probably the most common fish used for grilling because of it's firm texture and mild taste. Again, overcooking can turn great salmon into a dry, hard plank, but it doesn't have to turn out that way. For a simple preparation, try marinading the fish in a combination of soy sauce, teriyaki, fresh ginger, minced garlic and lemon grass for about 15 – 20 minutes. Toss onto a hot grill and cook for a few minutes on each side. Serve with grilled asparagus and a salad for a wonderful low calorie BBQ alternative. -
Step 3
Cool down with some fresh fruit.
When the temperatures start to climb, cool, fresh fruit can help bring down the heat and satisfy your hungry guests. Although it's easy to cut open an watermelon for the table, take a few minutes to create something special for your table.
Pineapple – One of my favorite choices is grilled pineapple, which is extremely easy to prepare. Simply slice the pineapple into 1” thin rings, then brush with a combination of soy sauce and brown sugar. Toss onto a hot grill and cook for 2 – 3 minutes on each side. The result is a fresh, sweet dessert that offers a tasty alternative to high calorie ice cream.
Pears – Like pineapple, fresh pears are a wonderful treat when grilled. Peel fresh pears and slice into halves. Brush lightly with butter or vegetable oil and grill briefly on the flat side of the fruit until brown. Grilled pears can be served alone or with a little ice cream on the side.
Strawberries – One of the most unusual desserts that I have ever tried is an only Italian favorite of strawberries in balsamic vinegar. If you're like me, your first thought is to avoid this dessert at all costs. Fortunately, I did muster up the courage to try this treat and was pleasantly surprised. The preparation is simple enough, as you only need to clean and slice the strawberries, then toss in a bowl of balsamic vinegar. The trick here is in the vinegar that is used. You have to invest in some really good quality balsamic vinegar, which turns slightly sweet with age. Now, I'm not talking about the $5.00 bottle of balsamic vinegar you'll find in most markets, as this dish requires a much higher quality product. Check out your local culinary markets or specialty stores for aged balsamic vinegar that will usually run at least $25.00 a bottle and up. This may sound like a bit much for a BBQ, but believe me, it's worth the expense. Besides, this dish only requires a small amount of vinegar, so you can save the rest for drizzling on ice cream during late night diet breaks. Trust me on this one.
