The 4th of July is right around the corner! Whether you are planning to have a barbeque with friends or a picnic with family, it is the perfect time to include vibrant, healthy meals and snacks that everyone will love.
Grilling is a great cooking method that adds flavor without the added fat. Try out these recipes that will add taste, color, and nutrition to your cookout this 4th of July.
Blueberry Barbecued Chicken
Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/planning-and-prep/recipes/blueberry-barbecued-chicken-recipe
½ cup diced onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups frozen wild blueberries
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ tsp salt
6 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Prepare and heat grill.
- On a stove, heat a medium saucepan to medium-high heat. Add olive oil and sauté onion for 2 minutes, or until translucent. Add blueberries, ketchup, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and salt. Stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender) to blend until smooth. Transfer ½ cup of sauce to one bowl and reserve for serving. Transfer remaining sauce to a second bowl for grilling.
- Pound chicken breasts to flatten to ½-inch thickness. Place flattened chicken breasts on prepared grill. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, turn and grill another 5 minutes.
- Spread blueberry barbecue sauce evenly over chicken; grill 1 minute.
- Turn chicken and spoon larger portion of sauce evenly over other side; grill 1 minute longer. Chicken is cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve with reserved ½ cup blueberry barbecue sauce.
Watermelon Slushie
8 cups 1-inch seedless watermelon cubes, frozen
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp honey
1 jalapeño, halved and seeded
Mint sprigs and watermelon wedge, for garnish
- Process watermelon, lime juice, honey, and jalapeño in a blender until smooth. Serve over ice.
- Garnish with mint sprigs and watermelon wedge.
Embracing good nutrition is just one part of living your best life! Annual checkups with a primary care physician is another crucial tool. If you need help establishing a relationship with a primary care doctor, St. Peter’s Health Partners has a FREE physician referral and information line at 518-525-2CARE (518-525-2227) or visit http://www.sphp.com/find-a-physician.
