Spring Into Season

The warm weather has finally arrived and grilling season is underway. The traditional hot dog and hamburger are the easy go to choices...how about trying something new this spring season? Let me share some delicious grilling recipes that are tantalizing for your taste buds but also for your health! Also, throw out the standard Koolaids that are packed with sugar and sip on something that hydrates you but also refreshes those taste buds :-)

Grilled Eggplant-Tomato Pizza
Fire-roasting your pizza brings out the delicious flavors in veggies.  Here is a healthy griller pizza that you need to try out!

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant, unpeeled, cut in 3/4-inch thick slices
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 unbaked 12-inch whole-wheat or regular thin pizza crust
1/4 cup pesto sauce
1 large tomato, sliced
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
2 ounces (1/2 cup) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 ounce (1/4 cup) Parmesan cheese, shredded; or feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions

1. Brush eggplant with olive oil. Grill over a medium-high fire for about 10 minutes until soft and cooked through, turning to brown evenly. Cool slightly.
2. Place pizza crust on a baking pan. Spread pesto sauce evenly over crust. Arrange grilled eggplant, tomatoes, onion and olives on top. Sprinkle with cheese. Slide uncooked pizza on the grill. Lower the lid.
3. Grill over indirect heat until the crust golden brown and the cheese melts, about 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Just before serving, cut basil leaves into thin strips. Top pizza with basil.

Cooking Note

If you don't have a grill, or prefer to cook inside, use this alternative cooking method: Roast eggplant and bake pizza in a 425°F oven.

Nutrition Information

Serves 6
Calories: 230; Calories from fat: 160
Total fat: 18g; Saturated fat: 4.5g; Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 15mg; Sodium 300mg
Total carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary fiber: 5g; Sugars: 4g
Protein: 8g
Source: www.eatright.org


Grilled Pineapple Desssert

Try to grill your fruit this spring and summer for a delicious flavor change!  The heat caramelizes the sugars and brings out the natural fruit juices. Not only does pineapple taste delicious on the grill, but so do plums, peaches, nectarines, pears, apples and bananas. For a quick marinade, use the juice of one lemon, 1 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar.  Agave nectar is a low glycemic index choice, ideal for those watching blood sugar control. Add about 1/2 tsp. nutmeg or more if desired.  Stir all together and add in fruit.  Cook anywhere from 2-4 minutes per side until you get the pretty charcoal lines.  Serve with a dollop of whipped topping or light ice cream. 

With the MyPlate system encouraging half of your plates come from fruits and veggies, the grill provides the perfect opportunity to eat plenty of fruits and veggies.  Taking grill foil wrap and filling it with asparagus, tomatoes, mushrooms and more is the perfect complement to sirloin steak, grilled chicken and various seafood choices.

For a refreshing spritzer, try this delicious concoction!

Add a shot glass full (1½ ounces) of your favorite 100% fruit juice such as grapefruit, pineapple, orange or pomegranate juice to eight ounces of club soda or sparkling water.  The carbonation makes this beverage very refreshing.