We’ve got you covered if you’re seeking new ideas to add excitement to your plant-based meals this summer! Our friend Hope Monaco, @thelocalplanteater has outlined some simple suggestions for grilling that go beyond your typical burger and hot dogs. Get ready to discover the delicious and diverse world of greenhouse grown fruits and veggies! Experience a burst of flavor with Hope’s recipe for Grilled Veggie Sandwich with Roasted Pepper spread featuring Craft House Collection® Baby Eggplants and Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers.
This is the summer to get creative. If you’re looking for ways to take a healthy twist on the typical burger/ hot dog-based BBQ, you would be surprised and happy to hear that there are infinite options, aside from the classics, to put on the BBQ. For example, have you ever thought of BBQing your favorite vegetables? Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, eggplants, sweet potatoes, zucchini, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms … all have the potential to be the star of the show this summer.
Are you looking to go beyond the burger and create delicious, balanced plant-based meals on the grill? Look no further! Here are some easy-to-follow tips that will leave your guests’ taste buds wanting more.
Eat the Rainbow –
All vegetables can be cooked on the BBQ quickly. Grilling them up softens them and allows their flavors to flourish. All you need is a little bit of oil of your choice (sunflower, avocado, olive oil) and your favorite seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, pink salt, and pepper – you can even use a steak or chicken rub to add a hint of the classic BBQ flavor to your vegetables, (yes that’s still considered plant-based!) If you’re all about the different kinds of sauces, you will also be happy to know that grilled vegetables taste incredible paired with your favorite steak and chicken sauces – no missing out here.
Get Creative –
Now, you love the idea of all the vegetables but fear you won’t be satisfied or full? The tip here is to eat an abundance of vegetables. They take half the time that a traditional burger and hot dog would, so keeping a large assortment nearby and BBQing, as you go is the way. Remember that vegetables are low in calories and high in water content, so you should eat a large quantity as your main dish. Opt for hearty vegetables along the way to help you stay satisfied, like potatoes and eggplant. You can also assemble a salad with your grilled vegetables or pair your BBQ with a raw salad. You can even put your vegetables into a loaded sandwich by toasting your bread on the BBQ or making them into fajitas. You can get creative by adding a plant-based dipping sauce on the side, like tzatziki or hummus.
Look for Plant-based Alternatives + Keep An Open Mind –
If you want to prepare a plant-based BBQ but still need to decide if it’s for you – start by switching out your favorite classics with some plant-based options like tofu or a clean, homemade veggie burger patty. With your favorite seasonings, you can quickly whip up some veggie skewers with tofu, peppers, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes. You can also grill your vegetables of choice and put them in a salad with some black beans and chickpeas with a creamy light dressing. Remember to keep an open mind when planning and hosting your plant-based BBQ – your roasted eggplant won’t taste like your traditional steak. Still, you will have a deeper appreciation for all the flavors and plant-based dishes that can be brought to your backyard this Summer. If you want to explore even more summer flavors make sure to check out Pure Flavor®‘s Summer of Salads!
Now pass the lemonade, and cheers!
~ Hope
