Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer! I share delicious options on CBS Tampa to make and serve with a nutritious twist starting with an appetizer.
Appetizer:
Instead of heavy dips like ranch and French onion dip, opt for salsa which is low in calories, high in flavor. I like the Fresh Cravings salsa because it is refrigerated instead of jarred and made with a short list high quality whole food ingredient that enhance flavor like vine-ripened tomatoes, crisp vegetables and zesty peppers. You can find it in a range of heat levels and flavor varieties including restaurant style and chunky, in the produce section at Walmart and Publix. Serve with tortilla chips and sliced veggies and fruit like apples.
Dessert:
For dessert, serve apple crisps! I use Cosmic Crisp Apples because they are cultivated to naturally slow to brown which makes them great for snack plates, salads and more. They are a cross between Enterprise and Honeycrisp so they have a perfectly balanced flavor, are super juicy and crisp. They are classically bred and grown in Washington state, the heart of apple country and are available nationwide year-round. For my apple crisp, start by tossing apples slices with cinnamon, coconut sugar and lemon juice and place in a skillet. My crumble topping is made with oats, almond flour, coconut oil and coconut sugar. Bake for 25 min at 350 F.
Drink:
For a more mindful beverage option, we have Athletic Brewing Company’s award-winning non-alcoholic beers which are Fit For All Times, meaning you can drink them anytime and anywhere! Athletic Brewing is the most decorated non-alcoholic brewer in the world.They developed a proprietary brewing process that allows them to make a great-tasting alternative to full-strength beers. Athletic makes over 50 different near beers each year, including IPAs like the Run Wild IPA which contains just 65 calories, and Goldens like the Upside Dawn Golden which is a bright, light-bodied brew that has been crafted to remove gluten. You can find them at AthleticBrewing.com.
Entree:
Finally, put a veggie-forward twist on our entrée with portobello bun burgers. These are naturally grain-free, gluten-free, and lower in calories, this whole-food alternative to refined white-bread hamburger buns looks and acts like the real deal but with a juicier, meatier texture that complements hamburger patties seamlessly.
