Tips for a Safe and Healthy Barbecue

Summer is the perfect time to fire up your grill! Whether you are grilling meat, vegetables, pizza, or fruit, the smoky flavor you get by grilling is like nothing else. Here are tips for a safe, healthy and tasty barbeque.
Food Safety Tips:
Follow these simple tips to significantly decrease your risk of food poisoning.

1. Heat up your grill: Allow your grill to heat up sufficiently to kill harmful bacteria.
   
2. Use a thermometer: Relying on color of meat alone DOES NOT ensure that the meat is fully cooked. Using a thermometer is the only way to ensure that food is cooked to a safe temperature. Don’t know what temperature your meat should reach? Here is a simple guide:
   
   1. Poultry, ground meats, and pre-cooked food products: 165 degrees Fahrenheit
      
   2. Beef: 155 degrees Fahrenheit
      
   3. Fish: 145 degrees Fahrenheit
      
   4. Pork: 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
      
3. Avoid cross-contamination: It is important to use separate plates and utensils: one set  for raw meat, poultry and seafood and the other set for cooked and ready-to-eat foods. The same rule of separation applies when marinating foods. Do not use the same brush to baste raw meat as you do for cooked foods, as doing so can contaminate the cooked foods and result in food poisoning.
   

The Menu
Start building your healthy barbecue around fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories, high in fiber and packed with nutrients. Look no further than your local grocery store or farmer's' market for fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Here are a few ideas for a creating a healthy barbecue without sacrificing flavor.

1. Go lean: Eating lean meats can decrease your risk for heart disease. Lean meats include turkey, chicken, fish, Try making turkey burgers on whole grain buns with avocado yogurt spread, serving grilled chicken fajitas with grilled bell peppers, low fat cheese and avocados, or grilling fish on a cedar plank and serving it with homemade tzatziki sauce. Be sure to cook all meat, poultry and fish to a safe temperature using a food thermometer. See the recipes tab for a salmon recipe.
   
2. Marinate: Marinating is not only great for flavor, but adds tenderness to meat as well. Marinating breaks down collagen, which is the part of the meat that contributes to its tough texture. Marinating does not need to be limited to only meat either; try marinating vegetables for added flavor.
   
3. Add color with veggies: Just about all your favorite veggies can be grilled, alone or in kebabs, giving them delicious flavor that will win just about anyone over. The trick is to cut them into pieces that will cook quickly and evenly. Toss veggies in cooking oil and season with garlic powder, salt, pepper and fresh herbs and cook directly on the grill, in foil, or in a grill basket. Some favorites include asparagus, avocado, bell peppers, corn, eggplant, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, squash and zucchini.
   
4. Grill fruits for dessert: Not many people think to grill fruits, but it adds a unique and delicious flavor. Grilling fruits such as peaches, watermelon, or pineapple is very simple. Place fruit kabobs, watermelon slices, or peach halves on the grill on low heat for about 30 seconds each side. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and a drizzle of honey.
   
5. Change up traditional spreads: Instead of traditional spreads, such as mayo and ketchup, change it up with something new. Try an avocado-yogurt spread, hummus, tzatziki sauce, or herb spread such as pesto. These spreads will give burgers and sandwiches a fresh taste packed full of flavor, and be lower in saturated fat and sodium.
   

Comment below with tasty items you enjoy cooking on your grill!

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