Healthy Summer Grilling Recipe
During this pandemic, the one healthy place to be is the grill in our own backyard. Hopefully, you are eating your rainbow of fruits and vegetables daily. Here is as an easy way to accomplish that goal and If vegetarian is your culinary style, this light recipe will give you and your grill something to smile about!
Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise
- 1 red sweet pepper, stemmed, seeded, and quartered
- ½ small red onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
- ½ pound asparagus, trimmed
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups cooked whole grain rotini pasta
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)
Lightly brush vegetables with olive oil. Place vegetables over medium hot heat. Cover and grill for 3-5 minutes for asparagus, turn once. Cook zucchini, pepper, and onion for about 10 minutes turning once, or until they are tender. Remove and cool slightly.
Cut vegetables into 1/2-inch pieces and toss with pasta in a large bowl. Add remaining oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper to pasta mixture, toss to coat. Top with fresh oregano and, if desired, Parmesan.
Prep time: 20 mins, cook time: 10 mins 4 servings Each serving has approximately 333 calories; 12 g total fat; 1g saturated fat; 1g polyunsaturated fat; 7g monounsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 152 mg sodium. 281 mg potassium; 49 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 9 g protein
If you are interested in making your own condiments for those delicious grilled food, registered dietician Alana Kessler offers these healthy tips:
- Unsweetened ketchup helps with sugar intake and is rich in healthy lycopene for eye health.
- Spicy brown mustard speeds up metabolism.
- Avocado oil mayonnaise has healthy fats and helps you feel fuller and eat less.
- Liquid Amino adds low sodium, soy, and gluten free protein.
- Horseradish is a powerful antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial that helps with respiratory issues. It is a handy kitchen staple as it a healthy addition to fish, meat, and vegetables.
- Pesto is also a powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial. Kessler says. “Plus, who doesn’t want to close their eyes and pretend to be eating at a cafe in Italy?” That is a fantasy everyone could use right about now.
Bon Appetit, All!
June 14th is Flag Day
Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14th as Flag Day. The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days.