Memorial Day BBQ Feast!

There's nothing quite like a good ol fashioned Memorial Day BBQ and we just knocked one out of the park. My mom is a Food Network fanatic and is constantly reinventing recipes and finding ways to keep meals fresh and healthy. She is an incredible chef and she has been inspiring me with her cooking all my life. Now that I have my very own fabulous kitchen, I too, enjoy rolling up my sleeves and creating amazing feasts for my family and friends. We joined forces today and created an incredible Memorial Day BBQ that provided recipes worthy of many more summer BBQs to come!

Kabob-a-Mania

Chicken/Veggie Kabobs

Ingredients:
Skewers
Chicken Breast - Marinate in your favorite flavors and cut chicken in to small chunks
Bell Peppers - cut into small chunks
Tomatoes - cut into small chunks or cherry tomatoes work as well
Vidalia and Red Onions - cut into small chunks
Zucchini - cut into small chunks
*You can add really anything you like to the skewers. If you prefer to add mushrooms or squash or anything else, go for it!
Once you have all the veggies and chicken cut in to the appropriate sized chunks begin skewering them on your skewers. Bring them out to a preheated grill and get cooking!

Scallop/Pineapple/Peach Kabobs

Ingredients:
Skewers
1 lb. Sea Scallops - Marinate in minced garlic, lemon juice and a touch of honey for about :30 min prior to grilling
2 Peaches - Cut in to small chunks
1 pineapple - cut into small chunks
*When cutting veggies & fruit in to chunks, make sure they are large enough to skewer and will not fall off or apart once they begin to cook (see pic).

Once fruit is cut into chunks and scallops have marinated, skewer them up and get grilling!

Serve these delicious creations over brown rice or spinach...Try this little side dish as an accent and cool flavor enhancer for the chicken kabobs.

Cucumber/Yogurt Salad

Ingredients:
1 English Cucumber or 2 Regular Cucumbers
1 c. plain, fat free Greek yogurt
2 tsp. dill weed
2 tsp. stevia
2 tsp. sea salt seasoning of choice (I love Herbamare)

Chop up the cucumber in to tiny chunks (1/2" each) OR use a slicer and slice up into very thin slices)
Put cucumber slices into a bowl and Greek yogurt, add seasonings and stir together. You can continue to add seasonings to taste.
Refrigerate and when the kabobs are done, serve with your fabulous meal!


Banana Chip Protein Cookies

Ingredients:
1/4 c. unsweetened apple sauce (or vegetable oil, if preferred)
1 c. stevia
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. wheat flour
1/2 c. whey protein powder (I used chocolate)
1/2 c. rolled oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1 lg. ripe banana

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash banana in a large bowl and then add remaining ingredients and mix together. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and spoon batter into dollops at desired size onto sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes. Enjoy!