becoming a Grill Master Written by Amanda Ament | Registered Dietitian of Heritage Health
Once upon a time, I walked into Costco for a specific item and came out having only purchased the intended item.… said no one ever. My recent transgression was walking into Costco for a pair of $30 running shoes and walking out with the running shoes… and a brand-new pellet grill from a very popular brand. Oops. What can I say? This brand is only featured at Costco a few times a year and I happened to stumble upon one of their events when I only get to the store once every 2-3 months. It was fate! I also justified it because my husband and I have been looking for a new grill for a while now. We’d been comparing prices, features, longevity, ratings – the whole gamut. Now, we have this fancy grill that we get to bring in BBQ season with!
effects. Season your pork chops with cumin, paprika, and chili powder to get in some extra vitamins, minerals, and flavor. Sprinkle cinnamon onto the fruit of your choice and take advantage of its anti-clotting and antimicrobial properties. Get creative with veggies. Make some skewers with a rainbow of color – red, orange, yellow, and green bell peppers, red onions… mix it up by adding some pineapple chunks for a dash of sweetness. Halve a head of romaine lettuce, brush with avocado or canola oil (these have higher smoke points than olive), lightly grill, and end by topping it with your favorite salad fixings.
That got me thinking about some of my favorite grilling go-to’s that are both delicious and healthy. Here are some tips and ideas to add and build off of that little something extra to your meal.
Don’t forget the dessert! Grab your favorite stone fruit (peaches, apricots, or nectarines), cut in half, throw on the grill for 3-4 minutes until you see some beautiful grate marks, remove, and top with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Slice up watermelon, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction, season with salt, and leave on for about 10 minutes or until you see grill marks develop.
Season your grillable with items that have other health benefits. Rub fresh minced garlic onto into chicken and take advantage of the positive cardiovascular side
While making delicious things is important, it’s no good if you end up getting sick from it! Food safety is critical. Be sure things are cooked to the minimum safe internal
36 july • aug 2022
