Watermelon Salsa

1/3 small watermelon
1/4 small jalepeno
1/4 medium white onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 lime
1 pinch splenda
1 tsp salt

Dice up watermelon, jalepeno, onion, cilantro... Add salt and splenda, and squeeze juice from lime and mix all ingredients together in blender and puree. Great summer spice! Delicious with chicken fajitas (minus the tortillas) :)

Pineapple Pico de Gallo

1/4 small pineapple, diced
1 roma tomato, diced
1/4 small white onion, diced
1/8 small jalepeno, finely chopped
1/8 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 lime
1 lemon
1 tsp salt

Once you have chopped and diced all of your ingredients mix together and add juice from lemon and lime, salt and serve. My favorite combo for this is shrimp kabobs, black beans and Pinapple Pico!

Grilled Artichokes with Basil Aoli

2 large artichokes
olive oil
salt & pepper
3 tbsp light mayo
1/2 lemon
1 tsp pureed basil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp crushed black pepper

In large pot heat water until boiling then turn to medium/high heat. Cut artichokes in half and add to boiling water.  Let cook about 30 minutes, until soft. Preheat the BBQ to medium/low heat. In small sauce cup mix mayo, garlic, basil, lemon juice, tsp black pepper and set aside in the refrigerator. Remove the artichokes from water and drizzle both sides with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill each side 5 minutes, until crispy but be careful not to burn. Delish!

Pork Chop Chop

2 thinly sliced pork chops
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 tbsp light mayo
1 tsp brown mustard
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon hot sauce
curry powder
cumin
garlic salt
paprika
pepper
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Season the pork chops with a sprinkle of each of the following while the BBQ is heating up (on medium heat): garlic salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, curry powder, and set aside. In rice cooker or large boiling pot add 2 cups of water to 1 cup brown rice and cook 20-30 minutes until rice is done. In a small measuring cup mix together the mayo, mustard, vinegar, hot sauce and a pinch of curry powder and whisk. Cook chops on the grill at low-medium heat for 7 minutes on each side, turning only once. Then remove from heat and dice into bite size pieces. In two bowls put desired amount of rice, one chopped pork chop and drizzle with your sauce, then garnish with cheddar cheese. (I have to admit, most of this recipe was ripped off from my friend Jessica, just tweaked a bit.)

Pizza Chicken

2 chicken breasts (cut into chunks)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tsp pureed basil
1 pinch dried oregano
1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
1/2 cup shredded jack cheese
1 cup baby bella mushrooms
2 roma tomatoes
garlic salt & pepper

After cutting chicken, put olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Once it is ready place chicken in the pan along with garlic salt, pepper, oregano and basil. When chicken starts turning white add mushrooms and tomatoes and cook down almost completely. Add pizza sauce, continue stirring until sauce gets thin and remove from heat. Add the cheese and presto! The classic taste of pizza with no guilt!

Smashed Cauliflower Gratin

1 large head cauliflower finely chopped
1 Tbsp butter or margerine
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/4 cup lowfat sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp chopped green onion
Sea salt & crushed black pepper

Simmer chicken broth, butter and cauliflower 8-10 minutes, add garlic, onions, salt and pepper then transfer to blender. Stir in remaining ingredients and puree! Here I bbq'd chicken apple sausages in a sinch.

B.L.A.T. Salad

1 head romaine lettuce
3 slices low sodium bacon
1 handful yellow sunburst tomatoes
1/2 avocado
1 Tbsp. light mayo
salt and pepper

Begin by cooking the bacon until it is nice and crispy. Meanwhile chop lettuce, cut tomatoes in half, slice avocado and set aside. When bacon is done cut into 1/2" pieces and add to the veggies. In bowl mix all ingredients including the mayo, salt and pepper to taste!