September 1, 2019 | Abby Caviness
Aside from your usual hamburgers and hotdogs out on the grill—paired with corn on the cob and watermelon—you may be trying to figure out what else to serve your guests this Labor Day. If you are wanting to entertain your guests with some healthy recipes this holiday, stay tuned—USHEALTH Group® is here to help.* (Have no fear, we only picked the easy ones!)
Starters
When your guests first arrive, you will want to have some appetizers prepared so they still stay entertained while you are in the kitchen. The starters set the stage for the rest of the meal, so you want to make sure they are appetizing. In fact, you might consider one of these delicious, healthy recipe options to get your visitors excited about what is to come!
Basil-Parmesan Zucchini Rollups1
Just because we said your appetizers must be appetizing, does not mean they cannot be easy! These Basil-Parmesan Zucchini Rollups—courtesy of Eating Well—are full of a few simple, healthy ingredients that blend together to make the most delicious spread. So, stray away from traditional American dishes this year and take the taste buds on a trip to Italy—your guests will love you.
Corn Salsa2
Everyone loves snacking on chips
and salsa before a meal, so try out Trisha
Yearwood’s Corn Salsa recipe from Food
Network. Like the
Zucchini Rollups, this salsa is made up of a collection of fresh, simple
ingredients that are easy to just chop up and throw together. Just make sure
you leave time for the salsa to chill in the fridge and marinate!
Sides
Though your main dish may be able to stand on its own, you will want to consider making some side dishes. No matter what you decide to prepare for your main dish, having a variety of healthy sides will keep your guests with varying “food moods” satisfied. So, aside from your corn on the cob and baked potato, try one of these delicious sides to mix it up!
Grilled Summer Squash with Lemon-Scallion Dressing3
Fresh vegetables are always a safe
bet when entertaining guests, so this healthy recipe for Grilled Summer Squash
with Lemon-Scallion Dressing from Country
Living is a perfect fit. Just pop your veggies on the grill for a couple
minutes alongside your hamburgers and hotdogs, drizzle with sweet/spicy
dressing, and enjoy.
Summer Panzanella4
If you have never tried Panzanella, you are truly missing out. This Summer Panzanella recipe from Delish is the perfect way to incorporate bread into your meal and still feel good about yourself because it is mixed with healthy vegetables! After you toast the bread, all you really have to do is mix it all together in a bowl and serve, so this recipe is definitely a time-saver.
Main Dish
If you find yourself stuck in the tradition of grilling hamburgers and hotdogs for Labor Day and you want to mix it up, you are in the right place. Though your guests may not appreciate a complete 180° swap of their favorites, they may enjoy these healthy recipes that put twists on the classics!
Turkey Burgers with Orange Mustard Glaze5
These Turkey Burgers with Orange
Mustard Glaze from Food Network are so good, your guests will not even be able
to tell a difference from the usual beef patty. Just grill the turkey patties
like you would normally, then top them with the mouth-watering glaze and
whatever fixings you have on hand. Note: Be sure to make extra, because they
will be coming back for more!
Lemony Roasted Chicken Wings6
If you and your family are used to having
wings on Labor Day, try out this healthy recipe from the New York Times for Lemony Roasted Chicken
Wings. The great thing about these wings is that they are roasted on a bed of
potatoes, so you are also preparing a side along with your main dish. They also
do not include a lot of prep time and most of your time will be spent waiting,
so they are perfect for allowing you time to prepare your other menu items.
Desserts
Last, but definitely not least, you will want to finish your party on a high note with some sweet treats! Of course, your guests will love some watermelon slices like usual, but maybe it is time you consider switching it up with these alternative healthy recipes for desserts.
Strawberry Sorbet7
If you live in an area where the
sun is still shining warmly on Labor Day, this healthy Strawberry Sorbet recipe
from Eating Well is the perfect treat to cool you off. Made up of only a few
simple ingredients, this dessert is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth and
be healthy at the same time! Just remember to make it early in the morning or
the day before so it is frozen and ready to eat when the time comes.
Banana Split Kebabs8
For those craving some chocolate this holiday, these amazing Banana Split Kebabs from Delish are a fun twist on the classic we all know and love. While the recipe includes the obvious bananas, chocolate, and peanuts, there are also strawberries and pineapple included to add some diversity. But for real, you can add whatever fruits you want to make them your own creation. Yum!
Takeaway
While traditions are fun to have, hamburgers and hotdog have
to get old at some point, right? Make your own traditions by mixing it up a
little with these fun and healthy recipes and see how it goes. The worst that
could happen is your guests do not like them and you go back to the way things
were. But, hey, at least you tried!
*This
material is provided by USHEALTH Group for informational/educational purposes
only and should not replace medical/clinical advice or direction from your
health care provider.