Use the grill for more than meat. Grilled fruit is a delicious, low-calorie summertime dessert.
Grilled fruit is one of my go-to summer foods to surprise guests with — not only because it is unexpected, but because it combines two of my favorite things: dessert and grilling!
Try these two grilled fruit recipes to get started. Once you see how easy and deliciously healthy they are, I’ll bet you will want to get more creative with your own ideas. Try grilled peach halves with vanilla frozen yogurt and chopped fresh mint, or some charred grapefruit wedges sprinkled with a bit of brown sugar.
Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon
8 servings; 1 serving is one slice, approximately ¾” thick
Ingredients
Fresh pineapple slices or wedges
Cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon honey
1 dash hot pepper sauce
Instructions
Core and remove the skin from the pineapple. Cut the pineapple in either wedges or slices.
Place the pineapple in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the cinnamon, butter, honey and hot pepper sauce. Seal the bag, and shake to coat the fruit evenly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
Lightly oil the grate of the grill by brushing it or spraying it with oil before lighting it. Preheat the grill on high heat.
Grill the pineapple for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until heated through and grill marks appear.
Note: This recipe is especially delicious when served with some low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt. The cool, creamy yogurt is such an awesome contrast to the spicy kick in the fruit.
Nutrition Facts
1 Serving = 1 slice of pineapple, approximately ¾” thick
Calories: 129. Total Fat: 3.7 grams. Saturated fat: 1.8 grams. Cholesterol: 7.8 milligrams. Sodium: 23.2 milligrams.
Honey Lime Bananas on the Grill
4 servings; 1 serving is 1 banana
Ingredients
4 bananas, unpeeled, cut lengthwise
Honey
2 limes, cut into wedges
Instructions
Place bananas, skin side down, on the grill. Cover the grill and cook on medium heat until the skins are black, about 5-10 minutes.
Turn the bananas over, cover and cook 2-3 minutes longer.
Arrange the bananas on serving plates; drizzle with honey and lime juice.
Nutrition Facts
1 serving= 1 banana
Calories: 147. Total fat: .5 gram. Saturated fat: .2 gram. Cholesterol: 0 milligrams. Sodium: 2.7 milligrams. Total carbohydrates: 39 grams. Sugar: 23 grams.
Stacey Kendrick, MS, is a health educator with more than 20 years of experience in wellness and population health. She is a mother to two adult daughters. In her free time, she teaches healthy cooking classes, runs, gardens and enjoys backyard bonfires.
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