Happy Summer! Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or intimate dinner with friends and family, I have delicious and nutritious recipes you can make and serve, plus healthy hosting essentials, starting with a crowd-pleasing entrée.
These Korean pork lettuce wraps perfectly highlight the hundreds of unique flavors of pork paired with a savory sweet marinade and pack 29 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving.
A recent sensory study showed that pork muscle has more than 110 unique flavor nuances. There are 8 cuts of pork that meet the FDA’s guidelines for lean with 3 being American Heart Association certified including: pork tenderloin, sirloin pork chop and sirloin pork roast. In fact, pork tenderloin is as lean as a skinless chicken breast! This recipe can be made on the grill or in the air fryer which the sensory study actually found led to the most juicy and sweet flavor notes. Start by marinating the pork tenderloin slices with soy sauce and gochujang before air frying at 400 F to an internal temperature of 145 F and serve out of butter lettuce cups with brown rice, cucumber, carrot, sesame seeds, scallions and gochujang sauce. Pork is a carrier food which means that when pork is on your plate, it helps you and your family add more nutrients (like choline, iron and potassium) by bringing along under-consumed food groups (like vegetables, beans and whole grains) to your eating pattern.
Next, It’s not summer without fresh in-season blueberries. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and are a good source of fiber and other key nutrients including vitamin C so for dessert, serve this super easy blueberry tart.
This delicious tart is made with betterful blueberries, a Regenerative Organic Certified® blueberry that is pioneering a regenerative approach to growing blueberries that are tastier for us and healthier for the planet. Regenerative agriculture means they embrace responsible and sustainable farming practices to grow better blueberries. Their regenerative practices focus on rebuilding working landscapes, restoring natural resources, and revitalizing rural communities. To make this tart, combine 1 lb of blueberries with the juice of a lemon. Place in a refrigerated pie crust and bake for 25 min at 425 F. betterful blueberries are now available for purchase at select Whole Foods through September. You can also find them at other stores across California including Olivers, New leaf, Bi-Rite and Berkeley Bowl.
Another key to successful hosting is having delicious and nutritious options readily available for your guests.
I recommend Chobani Zero Sugar because this creamy Greek yogurt is a great source of protein, made with only natural ingredients and is naturally 0 sugar, 60 calories and lactose-free. It’s available in 5.3 oz single serve 4-packs, 32 oz. multi serve and 7 oz drinks. Another delicious option to have stocked in your fridge is the La Colombe RTD Draft Lattes where one-of-a-kind frothy texture meets real cold brew coffee with the flavor of a classic cafe latte. It’s made with high-quality ingredients, like farm fresh milk, beans roasted and brewed by La Colombe, and only a touch of sugar. It Features more froth, 50% less sugar than the typical flavored RTD coffee beverages and the same great coffeehouse quality.
And for the healthy hostess this summer, Compost Genie is a stylish and functional kitchen essential that puts a fresh spin on sustainable habits.
Compost Genie® comes from the makers of Diaper Genie and is low-maintenance and ideal for first-time composters. It’s stainless steel, easy to clean, equipped with washable parts and superior odor control with an innovative ventilation system and enclosed carbon filter. You can find Compost Genie on Amazon.
