The great benefit of living in south Texas is the fact that you can enjoy outdoor grilling pretty much year-round. The summer months tend to lean toward a desire for lighter, healthier meals. The good news is there are so many options.
Whether you have an outdoor kitchen setup or simply a patio grill or smoker, you can take advantage of the abundant choices for firing up healthy and delicious meals to enjoy with family and friends, and perhaps invite a new neighbor in The Woodlands Hills!
Outdoor grilling provides a great way to break up the kitchen routine. And the natural ambiance of The Woodlands Hills provides a beautiful backdrop to your feast.
Here are some suggestions to toss on the grill and serve up some nutritious yumminess:
Rich Protein:
Outside of traditional hotdogs and hamburgers, there are many other sources of protein that not only cook well on a grill but also offer healthier alternatives, such as:
- Meats – think lean ground beef hamburgers, lean cuts of steak
- Pork – pork tenderloin, low-fat hot dogs and hot smokies
- Seafood – salmon, fish, shrimp, scallops
- Chicken – skinless chicken breasts, chicken wings
*Time-saving tip: Cook more than one type of protein and lots of it to stock up for the week’s lunches and dinners.
Seasonable Vegetables:
Add to your protein mix by grilling a variety of vegetables. Simply drizzle some olive oil, seasoning and herbs on your veggies and assemble them with a shish kabob spear or toss them into a vegetable grill basket, turning often.
Think Color! Explore the many vegetable options of color and texture:
- Vibrant reds – cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion
- Fresh greens – poblano peppers, brussels sprouts, green bell pepper, zucchini
- Bright yellows – corn-on-the-cob, yellow zucchini, yellow bell pepper
- Amazing oranges – carrots, mini sweet peppers, sweet potatoes
Sweet Fruits:
Often overlooked when grilling, there are actual several types of fruit that hold up well on the grill and add a sweet accent to the salty and spicy flavors:
- Pineapple
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew Melon
- Kiwi
Set The Table:
Get creative with an outdoor table setting for gathering together and sharing a great meal. Toss a flowing, festive tablecloth over your table and set out colorful outdoor plastic plates, drinkware, and napkins.
Fill a transparent pitcher full of gleaming filtered ice water accented with thin slices of fresh lemon or cucumber. Set out an iced-down bucket of sodas and beer and serve some crisp white wine in a wine chiller.
As a charming finishing touch, add a vase of fresh flowers for the centerpiece.
With the serene and forested beauty that surrounds The Woodlands Hills, outdoor dining in your own backyard is a great entertaining option for everyone to enjoy delicious and healthy food, swap stories, and create fun memories.
