Summer BBQ Menu

Summer is finally here and  you know what that means...BBQ Season!! Who doesn't love gathering together with family and friends to laugh, grill and eat together? The biggest challenge with a Summer BBQ is not knowing what to bring! I have compiled a recipe collection of refreshing drinks, mango salsa, summer berry salad, fresh grilled fish tacos, and a healthy dessert!

To kick of the party we will start with two of my favorites: Sugar Free Popsicles & Healthy Pina Coladas! Both are made with full fat coconut milk, making this treat dairy free! Summer in Hawaii is no joke. Were talking blazing sunny days at 85 degree temperatures with no air conditioning. I will do anything in the summer to stay cool and refreshed, so these homemade sugar free popsicles are just what I need! These Summer days are long, hot and busy! This treat is the perfect healthy snack to a quick grab and go, or simply to cool you down after a long hot day. Both these popsicles are super easy to make, and only take around an hour to freeze up and harden. I keep them in my fridge and grab them as a quick snack when the heat is taking over. I created two delicious popsicles: one sweet and one chocolaty!
The ingredients are fresh and simple! The mango dreamsicle is made up of: mango, full fat coconut milk, honey, chia seeds and a squeeze of lime. The chunky monkey is simply: frozen banana, natural peanut butter, cacao powder and almond milk. Simply blend all the ingredients together, and pour into the popsicle  mold. Let it sit for an hour or two and you have the perfect summer treat!
Recipe Video 

​Piña coladas have always been my favorite drink! I'm pretty sure half of my vacation fund is spent on these things. I've started making this delicious drink a lot lately and my husband and I will sip them on the beach. It's magical! This recipe works best with canned coconut milk because it gives it the perfect creamy taste. The canned coconut milk is what gives it the signature creamy taste! I love to cut up fresh pineapple and freeze that, but canned pineapple works too. I have tried a lot of piña colada recipes, and through trial and error, I have finally gotten it just right! Enjoy this refreshing drink! :)

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Mango Dreamsicle & Chunky Monkey Popsicles

Yields 4 Popsicles each 
Mango Dreamsicle: 

• ​3 cups of frozen mango
• 3/4 cup of full fat canned coconut milk
• 1 Tbs. chia seeds
• 1 Tbs/ honey
• squeeze of lime juice

Chunky Monkey:

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 Tbs. all natural peanut butter
• 1 Tbs. cacao powder
• 1/4 cup of almond milk (or milk of choice)

Directions:

1. In a blender combine all of the popsicle ingredients. Blend well, around 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fully mixed together. 
2. Pour the popsicle mixture into the popsicle mold. Place in the freeze and allow to harden for 1-2 hours.
3. Enjoy! Recipe video 

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Healthy Pina Colada Smoothie

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• 2 frozen bananas
• 3 cups frozen pineapple
• 5-6  ice cubes
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 Tbs. sugar or honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth

*Yields 2 large smoothies*

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This mango salsa recipe has quickly become a staple around here! This salsa is so fresh and delicious! If you are looking for a perfect side dish to all the summer bbq's this will be a definite winner. I made it because I had extra mangos and wanted to sweeten up my Mexican bowl one night. My husband went crazy over it and has been begging me to make it ever since! The salsa taste amazing just on its own, but it also pairs well with so many things! You can put it on tacos, chicken and even fish (I love it on salmon). The red onion is what gives the recipe an extra punch as well as a few jalapeno seeds. Its the perfect combination of sweet and tangy!

Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe mango (diced)
• 1/2 red onion (chopped)
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro 
• 1 jalapeno (partially de-seeded)
• juice of 1 lime
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the mango, red onion, jalapeno and cilantro.
2. Squeeze the juice of one lime on top and season with salt and pepper to taste.

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This Summer Time Berry Salad has been my favorite ever since my aunt made it for me as a little girl! The combination of the zippy balsamic vinaigrette, creamy goat cheese, bright fruit and sweet pecans makes for the perfect salad. This recipe is simple but packs a big punch! It's a perfect seasonal summer dish to cool you down after a hot day. ​In my opinion, the perfect salad consist of crisp lettuce, delicious dressing, nuts, and seasonal fruit. Berries happen to be my all time favorite food, so of course I love them on my salads! Feel free to add or substitute tart cranberries or fruit of your choice! I love this with creamy goat cheese, but feta cheese works great also. ​

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Summer Berry Balsamic Salad

Ingredients:

• 5 oz spinach (or mixed greens)
• 1 cup of strawberries (diced)
• 1/2 cup raspberries 
• 1/2 cup candied pecans (chopped)
• 1/4 cup goat cheese 

Balsamic Vinaigrette:
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• 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. For the balsamic vinaigrette, mixed together oil, vinegar, honey, dijon mustard and garlic. I use a dressing mixer and shake for 30 seconds, or until thickened. 
2. Chop the berries and nuts and place on top of the lettuce. Crumble 1/4 cup of goat cheese over the salad and dress. Evenly dress the salad with the balsamic vinaigrette and mix well. 
3. Enjoy!

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​Can we all take a moment of silence for these beautiful tacos? Growing up I hated fish (I know, disgraceful). It wasn't until I moved to Hawaii 2 years ago that I really gave it a chance. I even like raw fish now, people do change!! For the past year I worked at this awesome restaurant, Pounders, and I go introduced to Mahi Mahi. For fish haters, mahi mahi is basically the chicken of fish. It is super mild, moist, flaky and light!
For this recipe I season the fish with some Mexican inspired seasonings and sear it in avocado oil. It gives it a nice crisp on the skin but the inside stays moist and delicate. I pair the fish with the best mango salsa! (see a few post back). I add fresh pineapple into the salsa to give it some nice tang. I also roast some red and orange peppers and top it with cilantro and avocado. 

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Ingredients for fish:

• 2 Mahi Mahi Filets (around 6oz each)
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 Tbs. avocado oil

For topping:

• 6 corn tortillas
• 1 roasted pepper
• 1 avocado
• 1 lime (cut into wedges)
• cilantro (for garnish)
• mango salsa

Directions:

1. Combine paprika,cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle seasoning evenly over both sides of the fish filets.
2. Heat avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add fish to pan and cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked throughly. In a separate pan, roast the pepper. 
3. Warm tortillas on stove top. Divide fish among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges, cilantro, roasted pepper, avocado and mango  salsa.  

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This tasty treat is the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth! These are so easy and packed with protein. I love  to eat them after working out or simply when I crave cookies! They only require 6 ingredients and takes minutes to make.Toasted coconut, rolled outs, dark chocolate chips, natural peanut butter, organic honey, and a splash of vanilla!

Healthy Toasted Coconut Protein Bites:

Ingredients:

• I cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/3 cup organic honey
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut
• 1 Tbs chia seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in medium sized mixing bowl. Cover and chill for 20-30 minutes. 
2. Roll into 1 inch balls. Makes around 15-18 bites.  Chill and store in fridge for up to a week or freeze. 

Toasted Coconut Directions:

1. ​Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop coconut into small pieces and spread evenly on baking sheet. Toast in oven for 4-5 minutes. 

Links to all the recipes:
Mango Creamsicles & Chunky Monkey Popsicles
Pina Colada
Mango Salsa
Summer Berry Salad
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
Toasted Coconut Protein Bites
Recipe video