Not Your Average BBQ!

As Summer comes near its end for 2009, I thought it might be perfect timing to discuss that one last hoorah of a BBQ until next year. We all know Summer is ending as Labor Day Weekend creeps upon us. (And boy, is it near!) I love BBQ'ing beginning in late Spring all the way until late Fall. There's something about the relaxation of grilling outdoors as well as enjoying the tasty food. If I were to pose the question- name 5 foods off the top of your head that you see at a BBQ- I'd likely get some combination of the following: chicken wings, hot dogs, sausage, burgers, cheeseburgers, potato salad, pasta salad, ice cream, cookies, lemonade, soda, beer, margaritas, potato chips and dip, and Doritos. What I don't often hear are some of my favorite BBQ foods- shrimp shish kabobs, grilled mushrooms, grilled vegetables, grilled corn, and fruit salad. (With enough notice, I'd likely also make my own low fat ice cream for dessert or even fruit parfaits!) A lot of times, our default food associations for BBQ'ing are very unhealthy chioces. I will throw it out there that there is a strong possiblity that many people would like some healthier varieties of foods I just mentioned. For kicks, try it! You have one major holiday weekend of the Summer left!


Grilled Mushrooms with Mozzarella Cheese and Tomatoes Recipe
Buy a package (or two or three depending on your party size) of portabella mushrooms. Rinse and drain. Place on top of tin foil. (You might want to double this up since you will be placing it right on the grill.) Drizzle about 1 tsp of olive oil over each mushroom. Place chopped fresh mozzarella (you can even try low fat mozzarella. It melts! I promise!) and tomatoes on top of each mushroom. Add fresh basil and you're done! Cover with tin foil (again doubling it to avoid a tear and spill!) When ready, place on grill for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and mushrooms are warm! For an extra zing, add fresh squeeze lime or red wine vinegar!

Mushroom Factoid!
A portabella mushroom is a fungus also known as the button mushroom. There are three different kinds of button mushrooms- white, crimini, and portabella. Portabella mushrooms are actually overgrown crimini mushrooms. Crimini mushrooms have anti-cancer properties. They are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as Selenium, Iron, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic acid, Copper, Vitamin B3, Potassium, and Phosphorous. [Courteous of The World's Healthiest Foods!]