It’s that’s wonderfully overpowering smell. You know, the one that somehow manages to be smoky, salty, sweet and savory, all at the same time?
That’s right, collegiettes™. Whether you’re enjoying your family’s annual end-of-summer barbecue, lounging at poolside picnics, or planning cookouts with your friends, it’s still grill season! But hot dogs and burgers aren’t always the best choices when you’re trying to maintain a happier, healthier you! For all of the collegiette™ grill-masters out there, here are some lower-calorie alternatives that will really hit the spot. Just fire it up, throw ‘em on, and enjoy!
Grilled Zucchini Wraps
Calories in the entire dish = 278
Ingredients
- 1 medium sized raw zucchini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 oz. soft goat cheese
- salt
- pepper
- balsamic vinegar (optional)
Directions
Cut the zucchini length-wise into 1/4 inch strips and discard the outermost pieces. Brush the remaining pieces with olive oil on both sides, season them with salt and pepper and put them on the grill for about 4 minutes, or until tender. When they’re done, take them off of the grill and put 1/2 teaspoon of the goat cheese on each slice. Roll ‘em, drizzle on some balsamic vinegar, and dig in!
[pagebreak]
Grilled Watermelon
Calories in one slice = about 103
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon (cut up into about 12 triangles that are about 1 inch thick)
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- salt
- pepper
- balsamic vinegar (optional)
Directions
Drizzle the watermelon slices with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Grill them for about 1 minute on each side (until nicely charred) and transfer them to a plate. Mix the yogurt, salt, pepper, vinegar (if you want), and a tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl to make a sauce and serve with the watermelon.
[pagebreak]
Grilled Tomatoes
Calories in whole tomato = about 85
Ingredients
- 5 1 1/2 pound tomatoes
- salt
- pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp olive oil
Directions
Cut the tomatoes in half, crosswise and sprinkle with lots of salt, pepper, cumin and a generous pinch of cayenne pepper over the cut surfaces. Add lemon juice on top of the spices and place under the hot grill (about 2 inches away from the heat source). Grill them until the tops have browned and the tomatoes are slightly limp. Drizzle olive oil over the tops and serve.
[pagebreak]
Smoky Guacamole
Calories in 1/2 cup = about 160
Calories in 7 tortilla chips = about 150
Ingredients
- 1 ripe but firm avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 ripe but firm tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- pinch of sugar
- salt
- pepper
Directions
Brush the avocado halves with 1 tbsp olive oil, and put them on the grill to cook until they’re lightly golden, but not charred (if you leave them on too long they’ll taste bitter!). Remove them from the grill and let them cool, then mash the avocado in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients; you can adjust the seasoning to your liking! Add your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
[pagebreak]
Grilled Turkey Sliders with Tomato Jam
Calories in 1 slider = about 225
Turkey – Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey (not lean)
- 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 shallot, finely minced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- salt
- pepper
- olive oil (for greasing grill grates)
- 12 slider rolls
- romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
- tomato jam, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Mix the ground turkey, ricotta, mustard, shallot, basil, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Use your hands to form the mixture into 12 small patties (about 1/2 inch thick). Brush the grill grates with olive oil and place the patties on the grill for about 4 minutes, then flip them over and let them cook for another 3 minutes. Lightly toast the slider rolls for some extra crunch and warmth. Assemble your burgers with a patty, some romaine, and the tomato jam. Makes 12.
Tomato Jam – Ingredients
- 1 pound plum tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ancho chile powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp allspice
Directions
Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring them to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes dissolve and the consistency is thick and jam-like (takes about an hour). Let it cool before serving. The jam can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the fridge!
[pagebreak]
Grilled Caesar Salad
Calories in one romaine half = about 150
Ingredients
- 3 heads romaine lettuce, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 6 tbsp caesar dressing
Directions
Brush the romaine halves with the olive oil, and place on the grill cut side down. Quickly sear until grill marks are visible, and set aside, cut side up, on plates. Drizzle each half with 1 tbsp of caesar dressing and sprinkle generous amounts of parmesan cheese on top.
[pagebreak]
Jalapeno-Lime Corn on the Cobb
Calories in one ear = about 198
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter
- 1 lime, juiced and zested
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 6 ear of corn, husked
- 1 slice of bread (any kind)
- salt
Directions
Combine the butter, lime, jalapeno, garlic, and paprika in a food processor and pulse until smooth, then set the mixture aside. Grill the corn to your liking and use a slice of bread to rub the butter mixture onto the surfaces of the ears. Season the ears with salt for a finishing touch!
[pagebreak]
Grilled Banana Splits
Calories in one banana = about 160
Ingredients
- 4 unpeeled bananas
- melted butter
- sugar
- 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
- whipped cream (optional)
Directions
Make a deep slit down the center of each banana peel, lengthwise and place on separate sheets of aluminum foil. Brush melted butter into each of the slits, sprinkle in sugar and distribute the chocolate evenly among the bananas. Fold up the foil and grill the packets until the chocolate melts (about 6-8 minutes; don’t worry if the peels turn brown!). When they’re done, top each treat with whipped cream!
[pagebreak]
Hot Plums and Berries
Calories in 2 whole plums with Edy’s vanilla froyo = about 260
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp melted margarine
- 2 tbsp crystallized ginger, sliced
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 4 plums, halved and pitted
- 1 cup raspberries or blackberries
- Edy’s frozen vanilla yogurt (optional)
Directions
Mix the melted margarine, crystallized ginger and sugar in a large bowl. Toss with the plums and place the fruit, cut side up, on the sheet of aluminum foil. Scatter the berries on top, fold up the foil, and place the packet on the grill over medium-high heat until the plums are tender and the berries are juicy (about 15-20 minutes). Add a scoop of your favorite frozen yogurt (we chose Edy’s vanilla) on top!
So take advantage of the great outdoors, collegiettes™, and get your grill on! Grab your shades and sunscreen, break out the lawn chairs and cook up some deliciously smoky meals for your family and friends. With these tasty recipes, you’re sure to impress!
Sources:
caloriecount.about.com
Food and Wine Annual Cookbook 2011
Burgersby Paul Gayler
Quick & Easy Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffrey
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/grilled-banana-splits-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/jalapeno-lime-corn-on-the-cob-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/hot-plums-and-berries-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/grilled-turkey-sliders-with-tomato-jam-recipe/index.html