Taking the "Big Booty" out of BBQ

May is finally here and that means BBQ season! I don’t know about you, but if I have to eat another plain hamburger, hot dog or piece of BBQ chicken, I think I may be sick. Here are a few recipes and tips to spice up your traditional backyard BBQ and trim down your booty.

Just because you’re having a BBQ doesn’t give you an excuse to stuff your face with fat. Sure I’d love to have a bacon cheeseburger every weekend, but lord knows my booty doesn’t need that! There are plenty of tasty, less fattening options that you can consider. For instance, try my

Stuffed Turkey Burgers:
1 package ground turkey meat
½ package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained well
Fat free crumbled feta cheese
Sun dried tomatoes (not in oil), chopped small

Take ground turkey and place in bowl. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, 1 egg and Italian breadcrumbs. Mix thoroughly. Next separate the meat into 8 thin burgers, turning edges slightly upwards on four. Place chopped spinach, feta cheese and chopped sun dried tomatoes on top. Then take remaining 4 thin burgers, place on top and pinch edges together. NOTE: Use caution because the meat is thin and can easily separate. Grill about 6-8 minutes on each side. Serve with a bed of mixed greens or on a whole wheat bun. SERVES 4

Need a quick and easy appetizer to start your BBQ off, that’s better than the typical chips and dip? Try my homemade Bruschetta.
6 fresh tomatoes or 2 cans diced tomatoes
1 red onion
Fresh basil
Grated parmesan cheese
Toasted breads

Chop tomatoes and onion into small square pieces and set aside in bowl. Add chopped basil, grated parmesan cheese, garlic powder and olive oil to taste. Chill for a few hours. Serve with toasted Italian bread slices. SERVES 6

Now onto everyone’s favorite side dishes...a tub of mayonnaise disguised with a few pieces of macaroni or potato…better known as macaroni and potato salads. There are many different versions of macaroni and potato salad that you can make that can be tasty and much less fattening. Skip the mayo and replace with Dijon or honey mustard for starters. For my side recipe, I’m going to recommend something a little outside the box. This one comes from a friend from TX. I never liked chic peas much, but trust me this salad is cool, refreshing and tasty. A great burst of flavor and protein to enjoy with those burgers.

Susan’s Summer Salad
1 can garbanzo beans (chic peas)
2 cucumbers peeled and chopped small
1 yellow pepper chopped small
1 can black olives
1 red onion
6 garlic cloves
Fat free feta cheese
2 Tomatoes

Drain chic peas and set aside. Peel and chop cucumber, yellow pepper, black olives, red onion and tomato into small squares. Mix all ingredients with chic peas, sprinkle with feta cheese. Add finely chopped garlic cloves, a few teaspoons of lemon juice to taste and a splash of olive oil and mix well. Chill for a few hours and serve.
SERVES 8

Ok, now it’s onto the most important meal…dessert. For your standard healthy option, fresh fruit is always best. For those of you who need your chocolate fix, I recommend “No Pudge Brownies.” You can find these in your local supermarket near the brownie and cake mixes. Their secret…they use just the brownie mix and fat free vanilla yogurt. They come out fudgy and delicious without too much guilt!

So you’re ready to go with some new ideas to add to your traditional BBQ without adding to the number on your scale. My suggestion, the above recipes are easy, but time consuming. Make these items the night before, cover and refrigerate. Don’t want to deal with the set up, serving and clean up that day? Call TSP and we’ll be happy to serve your BBQ!

Have some healthy BBQ options of your own? Comment with the recipe details below, we’d love to hear them!