Memorial Day is one of the best times of the year, complete with family, friends, great weather, and, most importantly, great cookouts! After all, everyone loves a good barbecue on Memorial Day. For seniors who are trying to watch their cholesterol, heart-healthy Memorial Day recipes are a must. Here are five easy recipes that will fit into your heart-healthy lifestyle.
Grilled Bass and Salsa
Fish is a great heart-healthy alternative to the standard beef and pork fare usually served at Memorial Day barbecues. The best part about this grilled bass dish is the strawberry salsa that accompanies it. You’ll need a bass fillet, a chopped lime, a pinch of salt and cayenne pepper, a cup of chopped strawberries, 1/4 cup of chili pepper, two tablespoons of cilantro, and a 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Heat up a pan and saute the bass, or grill it outdoors on medium heat, five minutes on each side. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl to create the strawberry salsa, then serve it with the fish.
Lamb with Garlic and Chili
Lamb is an amazing dish for holiday barbecues — and this lamb recipe is perfect for Memorial Day as well as heart healthy. Garlic is also good for the heart, making it a great addition to any recipe. For this recipe, you’ll need four cloves of garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each of sugar, black pepper, salt, and thyme. Also add a teaspoon of cumin, a tablespoon of chili powder, and a pinch of cinnamon and allspice. Finally, you will need about eight lamb chops and three teaspoons of olive oil. You can marinate the chops in the spices 24 hours prior, or simply brush the spices on the chops and lay them fresh on the grill for 20 minutes until cooked.
Shrimp Peanut Skewer
With a pound of shrimp, you can make delicious skewers with a heart-healthy peanut glaze. To make the glaze, you’ll need marmalade, lime juice, peanut butter, coriander, cumin, turmeric, red pepper, and coconut. Glaze your skewered shrimp as desired, then add them to the heat. Keep in mind that shrimp do not take long to cook. With a hot fire or grill, leave them on no longer than eight minutes. If the edges begin to turn black, they’re becoming overdone. For an added treat, you can serve this dish with rice.
Rosemary Chicken Breast
No one will dispute that a grilled chicken breast makes an excellent dish for a Memorial Day barbecue. This recipe is a simple one, where six chicken breasts are marinated with the juice and peel of a lime, a tablespoon of rosemary per chicken breast, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar and garlic, and a pinch of salt. Grilling the chicken only takes about 10 minutes, and the marinade gives it a great kick.
Fish Tacos
Another great warm-weather standby is the fish taco. You’ll need a pound of fish (preferably cod or flounder). For the marinade, combine one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. Once marinated and grilled, place the fish onto tortillas for a delicious Memorial Day treat.
These dishes will make a welcome addition to any summer barbecue. Try these simple Memorial Day recipes to entertain your friends and family, and make sure you have a pleasant, safe, and fun holiday!
