Healthy Memorial Day Side Dishes

katilynnegray

We got invited to a picnic on Memorial Day and every family is bringing a different part of the meal. Our friends are not health conscious at all (to say the least) so I know my side dishes are going to be the only healthy thing there. Any suggestions on healthy sides for our Memorial Day picnic?

McMillen93

Fresh veggies,
baked sweet patatos,
use could do a mash califlower instead of mashed potatos.
oh and pasta salad but with those tri-colored veggie noodles and lite itailian dressing and many, many veggies, (broccoli, califlower, chick peas, beans, bell peppers) really, your favorite veggies are best. try to leave out the meat and cheese to keep it lower calories and high nutrients.

fiberartist219

Watermelon

lcoelho84

i LOVE sweet potato salad. its a healthier alternative to reg potato salad. and to cut back on all the mayo, i use reduced fat olive oil mayo and whisk in vinegar to thin it out and make a dressing. then i add cinnamon and raisins! quite tasty.
also, multigrain pasta and either a homemade or light vinaigrette or italian with lots of vegs!
or multigrain pasta, tuna fish drained and rinsed and the same thinned out reduce fat mayo vinegar dressing i use for the sweet potato salad. also lots of veggies in this. this can be a meal to itself!
fruit salad with lots of melons, which i believe are lower in calories.
for dessert, angel food cake with a bit of whip and fresh fruit.

cacklingcat

this http://thugkitchen.com/ . lol the language can be a bit much for some people but the recipes are great

americangirlok

We are cooking out and I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm thinking of either grilling corn so there's some semblance of a vegetable there. Or I'm thinking of veggie kabobs with like cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, and some onion w/ some lemon juice and basil or something like that.

Edited to add: One of the attendees told me that doesn't fit the burgers and hot dogs theme.

jjlimotte05

take some veggie or turkey burgers to grill, no bun. lots of fresh veggies and fruit salad. yum!

MyOwnSunshine

Broccoli salad and a big bowl of melons, grapes, strawberries, etc.

blueyegirl0712

We are cooking out and I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm thinking of either grilling corn so there's some semblance of a vegetable there. Or I'm thinking of veggie kabobs with like cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, and some onion w/ some lemon juice and basil or something like that.

Edited to add: One of the attendees told me that doesn't fit the burgers and hot dogs theme.

veggie kabobs sounds great!:happy:

Brandilynnrose

Here are some delicious light recipes that I have made for cookouts:

http://allrecipes.com/personalrecipe/63102304/low-fat-potato-salad/detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ninas-cucumber-salad/detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/personalrecipe/63083074/southwestern-black-bean-salad/detail.aspx

Other things I have made: toss cucumbers, tomato, and onion in fat free italian dressing. Or make low fat pasta salad- use the fat free dressing instead of regular Italian and add lots of veggies, low fat cheese (I like feta), whole wheat pasta, and a tablespoon or two of Olive Oil.

ohheyitsfelicity

Veggie or fruit tray!

trixie315

this http://thugkitchen.com/ . lol the language can be a bit much for some people but the recipes are great

UMM This is so f*** awesome! thanks for sharing LOL

kmjames2001

My son made kabobs for us one evening that were OUTSTANDING! DEER meat chunks with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, etc. whatever you want to put on them. The Deer is extremely lean & full of flavor!!

Acg67

Green Deviled Eggs Recipe

Makes 24 pieces



12 whole eggs, hard boiled, shocked under cold water and peeled

1 Tbsp. Fine Herb Oil (see below)

1 Tbsp. crème fraiche

1 pinch cayenne

½ tsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. mayonnaise

½ tsp. Dijon mustard

½ tsp. Country Ham Escabeche (see below)



For the Fine Herb Oil:

1 bunch basil

1 bunch tarragon

1 bunch parsley

1 bunch chive

2 cups spinach

2 cups vegetable or canola oil

1 tablespoon salt

2 quarts water



In a medium pot over high heat, bring water to a boil and then add salt. Continue boiling. Add all of the herbs and remove pot from heat. Allow the herbs to steep in the water for 10 minutes. Strain the herbs and discard the water. Using a cheese cloth, place all herbs and squeeze off the excess water (careful, the herbs will be hot). In a blender, add the spinach and oil and blend for about a minute, until completely blended. Add herbs to blender and puree until completely blended. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Store in the refrigerator.



For the Country Ham Escabeche:



¼ lb. Benton’s Country Ham, brunoise

¼ cup shallots, brunoise

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

¼ cup light brown sugar

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 piece of clove

½ Tbsp. parsley, finely chopped

¼ Tbsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. lemon juice



In a medium sauce pan over high heat, combine lemon juice, clove, vinegar, light brown sugar and salt, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, immediately turn off heat and bring to room temperature. In a small bowl, combine ham and shallots. Strain lemon, clove, vinegar, sugar and salt mixture over ham and shallots. Toss with oil, parsley, and a few drops of lemon juice.

To assemble: Cut the hard boiled eggs in half, placing yokes in a medium size bowl. Rinse the egg whites in cold water, cleaning off any excess yoke. Store egg whites with the cavity facing down on a baking tray lined with paper towels. Refrigerate.



In a mixing bowl, add the egg yolks. Incorporate the fine herb oil, crème fraiche, cayenne, kosher salt, mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Mix ingredients until smooth.

Fill egg whites evenly with yolk mixture. Top with country ham escabeche. Serve immediately or store covered in refrigerator.



Pig Egg

Makes 24 pieces

12 hard boiled eggs, halved and yolks set aside

1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 cup crème fraiche

1/2 Tbsp. lemon zest

1 Tbsp. chives, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. tarragon, chopped

1 Tbsp. parsley, chiffonade

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 inch slab bacon

Vegetable or canola oil



Pass yolks through a fine meshed sieve. Combine remaining ingredients with the yolks in a large mixing bowl, excluding egg whites. Taste for seasoning, and then scoop into whites.

Lightly coat a medium skillet and heat over medium-high. Place bacon in pan and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Top each egg with a piece of bacon. Serve.

melindasuefritz

Watermelon. strawberries, pineapple

silverinc13

this http://thugkitchen.com/ . lol the language can be a bit much for some people but the recipes are great

Oh my god thank you so much for this.

kathicooks

Asian cole slaw - NOT the kind with ramen!

Bag of slaw mix
Vinegar
Olive oil (I know, not asian, but don't tell anyone!)
grated ginger or the kind in a tube
lemongrass - finely chopped or the kind in a tube
touch of sugar or honey or any sweetener you like
sesame oil - just a teaspoon
salt and pepper

heaven...

karendee4

I also buy a citrus dressing and pour over coleslaw mix (the cabbage in the bag) . It is yummy and not as fatting/high calorie as the mayo based ones.

minimaggie

Corn Black Bean Feta Salad

1 can Balck Bean rinsed
6 oz White Corn
6 oz fat free Feta Crumbled
2 TBSP Olive oil (I use a garlic flavored if unavailable regular EVOO and 1-2 cloves pressed)
4 TBSP White Balsamic Vinegar (I use a pineapple flavored but pear or plain would work too)
13 g truvia (or 1/4 cup equivilent sugar)

Cobine oil, vinegar and sugar in bowl then add rest of ingredients. Stir to combine and refridgerate at least 1 hour.

xstarxdustx

bump.

briabner

You can make a potato salad and instead of using mayo substitute non fat greek yogurt. Also, maybe make a pasta salad with tons of veggies in it and an oil based sauce or even using some non fat italian dressing.

Nicolette04

Thug Kitchen...Too great ... not usually a fan of language but this made laugh, a lot. Good looking recipes!

Nicolette04

Tomatoes, Chopped Chunky
Feta Cheese (Fat Free)
Basil, Chopped
Cucumbers, Diced Chunky
A couple tbs balsamic vinegar (or white raspberry balsamic is amazing)
Garlic Cloves, Chopped Small
Salt and Pepper

Really low cal...oil is not needed at all.

Sweet_Potato

This broccoli slaw is always a hit:
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/05/broccoli-slaw/

Also, you can't go wrong with a black bean, corn, and avocado salad!

missymakayla

Make a fruit salad, alot of berries are in season right now, it's a refreshing dish...

prestonbunch

Chickpea salad -- Couple of cans of chickpeas, some diced onion, colorful sweet peppers, kirby cucumbers, tomato. Mix a little flavored rice vinegar with some Stevia and Mrs. Dash. Toss the veggies in it. Let it sit for a few hours to marinate. It's very tasty and has lots of protein. :-)