Healthy BBQ ideas – from low calorie chicken marinade to delicious to veggie options like barbecued corn on the cob
BARBECUES are a staple part of the British summertime - but it doesn't mean you have to always have traditional food.
It's all too easy to overindulge on fatty sausages and burgers, so we've created a list on how to make your meal a little healthier.
What foods should I cook on the BBQ?
Corn on the cob
A great option if you're trying to be a bit healthier is corn on the cob - and it's super simple.
- Soak the corn in water for at least 30 minutes
- Shake off the excess water and rub the corn with a little (but not too much!) butter and season with salt and pepper - you could also add some garlic or chilli flakes for extra flavour at this point
- Wrap in two layers of tin foil
- Place on a medium heat barbecue and cook for at least 25 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred
- Once cooked, serve immediately
Easy marinade
Mixing fresh tastes with a smoky barbecue flavour is always a winner. This lime and coriander marinade for chicken is a perfect summer lunch and is enough for six wings.
You will need:
- Tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- Small handful coriander
Mix all the ingredients together and coat the wings, either in a bowl or in a plastic bag.
Marinade the chicken for at least an hour in the fridge, then cook on the barbecue, for about 15 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink, turning occasionally.
Veggie skewers
- 1 aubergine
- 2 courgettes
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- Green and orange pepper
- Red onion
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon mustard
Cut up the vegetables into equal bite size chunks, mix together the rest of the ingredients to make a vinaigrette, and toss them together.
Add them to skewers and place onto a hot barbecue.
Grill them, turning often until the vegetables turn soft and brown on the outside.
Serve with tzatziki and a fresh salad.
Grilled peaches
It's not savoury items that are great for the grill, you can also wow guests with a great pud too.
Cut peaches in half, remove the stone and sprinkle with some sugar and cinnamon.
Brush with some oil (ideally coconut or canola oil) and grill them on medium heat for around eight minutes.
Serve the warm peaches with vanilla ice cream and a dust of icing sugar.
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Salads
Get creative with your salads - there's no need for boring lettuce to be served with your delicious barbecue.
Add watermelon, strawberries or pomegranate seeds for a sweet touch, and sprinkle with feta or halloumi cheese.
Toast pumpkin seeds or sesame seeds to make your salad really look pretty, too.
If you're making a coleslaw, adding apple and nuts can give it a good twist too.