Quick and easy family recipes that are perfect for on-the-go families...who want to save time and money.

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Summer guide to guiltless grilling

(ARA) - People around the country are getting ready to enjoy the great outdoors and fire up the grill on a warm summer day. The warmer weather and longer days are perfect for enjoying fresh flavorful foods and outdoor activities such as walking.

The Weight Watchers Momentum program encourages healthy food choices like filling foods that keep you satisfied longer and offers the following tips to ensure a summer full of healthy habits:

1. Fire up the flavor: Grilling is a great way to experience new flavors without added fat and calories. Shop at home and look for things you already have in your cupboard. Vinegars and juice-based marinades can maximize flavors for meat, fish and vegetables and dry rubs can turn a bland meat dish into a soulful, spicy supper.

2. Fresh finds: Remember that grilling is not just for meat and poultry. Fresh vegetables are a delightful treat. Choose foods that are tender and cook quickly. Less expensive options like potatoes, onions, corn and squash just need basic seasonings and they are ready to grill. To bulk this up as a bigger side dish, add inexpensive pasta or beans to the grilled vegetables.

3. Cut those coupons: Check your local supermarket circular for what’s on sale. And think beyond beef -- remember you can enjoy a lean burger made from chicken, turkey or salmon.

4. Water down your beverage bill: Try skipping the soda aisle and use good old tap water and teach the kids how to make “sun tea” -- set tea bags in a pitcher and put it out on the porch. Or liven up regular water with fruit like lemons, limes and oranges.

5. End the day with a family activity: Take a walk after dinner -- not only is walking a free form of exercise but also a great way to connect with family, friends and neighbors. Walking also helps to burn calories and research suggests that regular physical activity may help to reduce stress and improve sleep.

Try this healthy and tasty recipe at your next barbecue:

Hawaiian Chicken Kebobs

Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
POINTS value per serving: Six
Serving size: Four

Ingredients:

1 pound uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 medium pineapple
1 medium green pepper
1 medium sweet red pepper
1 large Spanish onion
1/4 cup pineapple juice or orange juice
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon olive oil
Cooking spray
2 cups cooked white rice, kept hot

Cut each chicken breast, pineapple, pepper and onion into approximately 24 1-inch-thick pieces. Combine chicken, pineapple juice, garlic, soy sauce and oil in a large non-metallic bowl; marinate in refrigerator for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.

Preheat grill. Lightly coat vegetables with cooking spray. Thread two pieces of pepper, pineapple, chicken and onion onto each of eight skewers. Brush with marinade. (Note: If using wooden skewers, soak in water to prevent charring.)

Grill over medium-hot coals until chicken is completely cooked, about eight to 10 minutes, turning kebabs every two minutes so they're cooked evenly on all sides. Yields two kebabs and 1/2-cup rice per serving.

Visit a Weight Watchers meeting for additional support this summer. To find a meeting location near you visit www.weightwatchers.com or call (800) 651-6000.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Turn the Typical Backyard Barbecue into a Hot Spot for Fun and Flavor

(ARA) - Many American families will forego the traditional summer vacation travel this year and spend more time than ever making home-spun fun in the sun at the backyard barbecue. But if your version of barbecuing involves the same old fare and familiar flavors, it’s time to spice up your old standby.

Here are some simple ways to add just the right amount of sizzle and style to any standard backyard barbecue.

Create a Fun Toppings Bar

Americans love familiar fare, but it’s important to infuse your own style. Add a toppings bar to make ordinary barbecue staples like burgers and steaks a little more extraordinary. Stock your toppings bar with all of the usual suspects, like ketchup and mustard and be sure to include a variety of out-of-the-box toppings to spice things up.

Chili, hummus, mango salsa, horseradish and caramelized onions are a few options that add an extra kick. Also, try incorporating new twists on traditional favorites. Lea & Perrins new Thick Classic Worcestershire sauce offers the flavor you crave from original Worcestershire in a sauce that’s now thick enough for dipping and topping and perfect for adding a flavor boost to any grilled food.

Infuse the Flavor In Advance

Marinating your meat ahead of time is a simple step you can take to boost flavor in a big way. Consider the following steps to create a marinade that’s simple and sure to satisfy. Combine a half cup of Lea & Perrins’ traditional Worcestershire Sauce, three tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil, one-fourth teaspoon salt, and three tablespoons Heinz Balsamic Vinegar in a baking dish or plastic bag and pour it over your meat. Marinate in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

You can also add flavor in advance with a variety of flavorful rubs. Many grill jockeys massage their meat with a spicy rub, while others content themselves with a light sprinkling. Whether you massage it in or sprinkle on top, these savory spice rubs have the ability to transform ordinary grilled meat into a barbecue of distinction.

Hit a Home Run with Savory Side Dishes

Offer an array of summer sides as yet another way to tantalize the taste buds. Consider a grilled vegetable medley over couscous or cut sweet potatoes grilled in foil with a touch of brown sugar and apple butter. For fruit inspired sides, fresh pineapple and a barbecue pit make a perfect pair. Or, place halved mangoes, peaches, plums, or apricots flesh-side down on an oiled grate until they look caramelized and serve with a scoop of ice cream. By offering a variety of sides, you’re appealing to various palates and creating a grilling extravaganza everyone will enjoy.

Turn up the Heat with Open-Fire Cooking

An open flame barbecue pit is a sure-fire way to unleash flavor. With a little know-how, even a novice can cook creatively at the open-fire barbecue. Begin the fire at least two to three hours in advance so the coals are sufficiently hot. The cooking fire can be built in a portable charcoal grill, a fire ring, or simply a trench dug in the ground. Top it with a piece of wire mesh or create a cooking grate with the metal grid from your existing grill.

Because the food absorbs flavor from the smoke below, you'll want to use a good-smelling hard wood such as hickory, white oak, mesquite, or fruit woods. The key is to create a low bed of coals so that you don't overcook the meat or cook it too fast. Also, keep in mind cooking on an open flame takes a bit more time and patience, so the best tip is to simply slow down, relax and enjoy!

Keep it Fun with Flavors for Everyone

The backyard barbecue is as much about family time as it is about the food. Be sure to include flavorful options that everyone in the family will enjoy. To lure the kids, try grilling pre-cooked meatballs and offer toothpicks and pasta sauce for dipping. Or, change up their typical hot dog by serving it wrapped in a tortilla shell with melted cheese and diced tomatoes. For the adults, add an element of interest to burgers and steaks with options such as Greek-style lamb burgers or grilled London broil sandwiches. Whatever you decide, just be sure to keep it interesting and fun for everyone.

For more ideas on how to add flavor and fun to your summer barbecue with distinct recipes for marinades, savory side dishes, and more visit www.leaperrins.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Marinate your grilled fare for taste and safety

(ARA) - Literally soaked in flavor, marinated foods are undeniably delicious. But did you know that marinating also makes your grilled foods safer?

Anyone who loves the delectable flavor of hot-off-the-grill foods has probably heard that cancer-causing substances -- such as heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs or HCAs) -- form when the proteins in red meat, pork, poultry and fish react to the high heat of grilling and when fat drips off the meat and produces smoke.

But the researchers aren't just pouring water on our coals; they're coming up with solutions, too. Chemists at Kansas State University found that marinating meat for an hour in spice blends can reduce the formation of HCAs by 80 percent or more. They credit the antioxidant properties of spices with this change. Other researchers suggest that marinades may buffer the heat that causes the problematic chemical reaction, or that a combination of sugar, oil, and acidic ingredients decreases the carcinogenic compounds.

Not that you need a scientific reason to marinate. Savvy grillers know marinating improves flavor and the process isn't labor-intensive. You can make your own signature marinades, or rely on the guaranteed results of quality mixes.

If you're looking for a healthy choice, Simply Organic offers a flavor-rich line of organic marinade mixes that include Zesty Herb Marinade, Steak Marinade and Garlic and Herb Marinade. They even offer the smoky flavor of mesquite -- minus the hazards of grilling smoke -- in their Mesquite BBQ Marinade.

For safe and delicious grilling with marinades:

* Choose lean cuts of meat, which will drip less and produce less smoke. Trim excess fat.

* Prick the surfaces of meats with a fork before marinating to allow flavors to penetrate.

* Marinate foods in the refrigerator -- not on the counter -- in a glass, plastic, or stainless steel pan.

* Keep in mind that marinades that have been used for raw meat, poultry or seafood need to be cooked thoroughly before eating. So don't baste with them during the last few minutes, don't dip your finger in the pan to taste and don't use the leftover marinade for sauce without cooking it first.

* Consider cooking meats in the microwave for a minute or so before placing them on the grill. Discard any juice that's produced during microwaving. Use tongs or a spatula, rather than forks, to reduce drips when turning foods on the grill.

* Cook over medium (rather than high) heat to avoid charring foods. Let flames settle down before cooking over coals or wood, and turn the temperature down to medium on a gas grill. If you do char a portion of the food, cut off that section before serving.

* Flip those burgers. Again. They'll cook faster (and produce fewer HCAs) if you turn them often.

* Consider other options, too, like soy burgers and soy hot dogs, portobello mushrooms and other vegetables. These foods don't have the same potential to produce harmful substances that can result from unsafe cooking procedures -- but they're delicious when marinated nonetheless!

Here’s a favorite recipe so simple, yet so delicious, from the kitchen of Chef Kendall McFarland, research and development manager at Simply Organic:

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked pasta
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 package of Simply Organic Steak Marinade Mix

Directions:

In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the olive oil and the Steak Marinade Mix. Serve as a warm or cold side dish.Add olives, cheese or other vegetables if desired.

Staying with the same marinade for the complete meal, Chef Kendall also has this tasty recipe:

Tarragon Encrusted Salmon

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package Simply Organic Steak Marinade Mix
1 to 1 1/2 pounds salmon steak -- minimum of 1-inch thick

Directions:

Preheat grill. In a small bowl blend butter, lemon juice and Steak Marinade. Lay salmon on grill using a fish grill plate, skin side down. Spread a thin layer of butter mixture on steaks. Grill eight to 10 minutes or until salmon is just flaky. Serve with sliced fresh tomatoes as a garnish.

For an online Summer Grilling Guide with many more useful tips and delectable grilling recipes, go to http://frontiercoop.com/grillingtips.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Five Delicious Recipes for a Special Father’s Day BBQ

You know how much your dad loves to barbecue. Why not use one of these five delicious recipes for a special Father’s Day barbecue and give him the day off? Of course, just because it’s “his” day, that doesn’t mean he’ll let you at his grill.

Grilled hamburgers are always a hit, but you may want to incorporate another of Dad’s favorites – blue cheese. While you’re preparing the two pounds of ground beef (preferably ground chuck), add ¾ teaspoon onion powder, 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 ½ tablespoons horseradish (optional), salt and pepper to taste. Mix this thoroughly and then form into patties. Grill the burgers over hot heat until they reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Fix the burgers with your favorite fixings and enjoy!

Steaks are another grilling favorite and nothing could be better than a great grilled rib eye steak for Father’s Day. Mix together ¼ cup steak sauce and ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Add one clove or minced garlic and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Combine this thoroughly and then pour into a zip top bag that holds the steaks. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Then grill for four to five minutes on each side.

Perhaps your dad prefers seafood. Why not grill up some spicy barbecue shrimp? The recipe is simple: ½ cup butter, 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 pounds of unshelled shrimp, ½ cup dry sherry, and cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Toss the shrimp in the mixture and then prepare your grill. Be very careful when grilling the shrimp; you may need a fish tray or use skewers to keep the shrimp from falling through the grill. Cook for about four minutes on each side.

Barbecued ribs are another favorite. You’ll need six pounds of ribs, 1 1/3 cup ketchup, ¾ cup water, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 4 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 small onion, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix all of the ingredients together except the ribs, and cook for ten minutes. Brush the ribs with sauce and cook the ribs over medium hot coals for about an hour.

Don’t forget about dessert! Why not prepare grilled pound cake with berries and ice cream. You’ll need one pound cake – already prepared or home-made, ice cream, and whatever kind of berries your dad likes most. Slice the pound cake and then heat each slice on a clean, hot grill for a couple of minutes or until you can see grill marks on each side of the cake. Remove the cake from the grill, then top each piece with a scoop of Dad’s favorite ice cream. Top it all off with ½ cup of fresh berries per slice.

Father’s Day comes but once a year. Try one or more of these five recipes for a special Father’s Day BBQ. With food like this, your dad may ask you to prepare the same feast next year.

Stuffed Hot Dogs

2 tsp spicy brown mustard
2 tbsp ketchup
1 c sauerkraut, drained and chopped
4 large hot dogs like a foot long
1/2 oz Cheddar cheese, cut into sticks
4 slices bacon
oil
hot dog buns

Heat your grill. Mix mustard, ketchup and sauerkraut in a bowl. Slit hot dogs lengthwise, make an opening end to end. Fill opening with sauerkraut mix. Put cheese in middle and add the rest of the sauerkraut. Wrap bacon slice around each dog to keep it all together and hold the ends of the bacon with a wooden toothpick. Coat grill with oil and after it's good and hot, grill the hot dogs until the bacon is cooked and hot dogs are brown, usually about 2 minutes per side. Toast your buns if you want and eat up!

Totally Awesome Hamburger

2 lbs ground beef
1/3 c steak sauce
2 tsp horseradish
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 scallions, trimmed, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
oil
buns

Heat your grill. Mix the first 6 ingredients in bowl and then shape into patties about an inch thick. Brush grill with oil and put patties on grill, cover, cook for 7 minutes. Flip after 4 minutes. If you want well done, add another minute per side. Toast your buns directly on grill for one minute.