5 Healthy Summer Appetizers for Your Next Barbeque

I am welcoming the warmer CT weather with open arms–let barbecue season begin! Mike and I are hosting several events in the coming months, and these appetizers will be on rotation because they’re delicious, easy, and blood-sugar-balancing. Try one–or several–of them out at your next gathering so you can enjoy the company of loved ones without sacrificing your health goals. 

1. Caprese salad skewers: Simply put small balls of mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and a few basil leaves on each skewer, lay them on a platter, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and drizzle with balsamic. Fresh and delish! 

2. Loaded Nachos: Using Siete brand chips of your choice (clean ingredients and no inflammatory oils), spread them on an oven or microwave-safe platter. Generously top them with Organic Valley three cheese shredded blend, and heat them in the microwave for 30 seconds --1 min, or put the platter in the oven at 250° for several minutes. (Be sure to keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn!) Then, load up the nachos with guacamole, sour cream, diced tomatoes, grilled chicken pieces, green onion, olives, and any other peppers or veggies you like on top! YUM.

3. BBQ Chicken Skewers: Simply grill some chicken breasts, slice them into skewer-sized  pieces, toss them in some Primal Kitchen Barbeque Sauce, and put them on the skewers! Put Primal Kitchen Ranch in a mini pitcher for a topping!

 4. Crudites with Homemade Dip: A raw veggie platter is the perfect way to ensure that you get fiber at your party, but a delicious dip always helps entice you and guests to dig in. Try this creamy ranch dip: ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream (I like Good Culture), 1 tbsp. dried dill, a shake of garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice! That’s it! 

5. Bun-less Burger Skewers: Grill up 4-5 cheeseburgers (or more, depending on the size of your crowd). Then, cut them into quarters, slide the pieces onto skewers and top each mini burger with a piece of lettuce, a cherry tomato, and a pickle! (You could even add a piece of bacon to these if you want to get real crazy). This could also be done with black bean burgers if you have a vegetarian crew. 

Happy BBQ season!

XO,

Kara