Whatcha Grillin??

It's a holiday weekend, thank the lord...

This weekend the propane and charcoal will be burning, the smell of bbq's will saturate your neighborhood and stimulate your senses. Unless of course you're a vegetarian. If you're trying to slim down, a traditional BBQ isn't your best bet to lose weight and here are a couple of reasons why:

BBQ sauce is loaded with sugar, that's what mostly smells sooo good on the grill. Potato salad has a couple of problems, potatoes and Mayo. Same with pasta salad. Baked beans have just as much sugar as the BBQ sauce and red meat?? forget it. I can hear you getting fatter

Here are some things to try out instead:
A lot of things are great on the grill, Corn for example (even though corn is generally a no no because of its sugar content). Try this, keep the husk on it and soak it in warm water for a half hour. Just fill your kitchen sink up if you can spare it or maybe a tall pot (you can use the tub too, but not the toilet). Then put it on the grill and keep turning it every 5 minutes or so.

Asparagus is another good one. Cut the root end off, it can be tough and your friends might look at you funny if they can't chew it and the kids might spit out in the pool. Lightly drizzle some olive oil on it, just a little because too much will drip and burn on the fire. Cook the outsides just a little brown. Finish with some balsamic vinegar and let it sit while you continue to cook.

Instead of red meat, try skinless chicken, shrimp, fresh fish. You can even grill Lobster in the shell. Make some chicken kabobs, if you use wooden sticks, soak them first for a few minutes, just like the corn. It keeps them from burning too quickly.

Here are some of my favorite menu ideas to cook outside:
Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche
Citrus Marinated Poached Seafood

Charred Vegetable Gazpacho
Chilled Summer Tomato Soup

Grilled Jumbo Artichokes
Garlic, Lemon and Olive Oil with Sea Salt

BBQ’d Oysters on the Half Shell
Garlic, Parsley, White Wine and Lemon

Charred Ahi Tuna
Napa Cabbage, Cilantro and Radish Salad

Grilled White Fish and Chicken Taco’s
Ezekiel Tortillas, Fresh Lime, Cabbage and Avocado

Jumbo Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs

Any questions on where to shop, how to cook or what to buy? email me, chefghione@ghionedining.com

Remeber Keep it Organic