Grilled Balsamic Asparagus…How Easy Can it Get?

By Jodee Weiland

Grilled Balsamic Asparagus…How Easy Can it Get? We love to grill outdoors and not just in the summer. We live in the Midwest, but we still grill outdoors all year round on our gas barbecue grill. We don’t just grill meats either.  We grill all kinds of vegetables right along with our meats and fish.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Why do we grill outdoors even in the snowy weather?  Well, that’s easy to answer.  We like the taste and using our gas grill, makes every meal a little healthier.

Years ago, we did vegetables, other than potatoes and corn inside, but then everyone starting talking about oven roasted vegetables.  We did this as well in our extra virgin olive oil, and it was really good, but put some olive oil on any vegetable, add a little seasoning, and grill it, you will be amazed!  It’s even better!

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Today a lot of people talk about doing this, but it never ceases to amaze us that when we invite people over, they love the vegetables this way, but only a few have tried it.  Our guests are usually surprised by the range of vegetables we grill and also, by the many different ways we season or flavor them.

https://learnfromyesterday.comOne of the ways we like best is to marinate our vegetables in extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasonings.  It isn’t rocket science, but it sure tastes good!  This is how we like to grill our asparagus and so far, it’s a hit every time.  Here’s what we do, but you can vary your seasonings to your own taste.

https://learnfromyesterday.com Grilled Balsamic Asparagus…How Easy Can it Get?

1 pound asparagus spears cleaned and ends cut off
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
Garlic powder and a little sea salt or garlic salt, if you prefer it, to taste
Seasonings can vary according to taste

https://learnfromyesterday.com

https://learnfromyesterday.com

That’s it!  Place the asparagus in a shallow dish about 20 to 30 minutes prior to grilling, drizzling them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste.  Add in your seasonings making sure to coat each asparagus spear.  Let this sit and marinate for the 20 to 30 minutes.  When done, place the asparagus on the grill in either a grill pan or as we like to do, directly across the grill.  We like to grill it directly on the grill, but either way it tastes delicious.  Grill the spears for 2 to 3  minutes over a medium heat, then turn over and grill for 2 to 3 more minutes or until done.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

This recipe is so simple, anyone can do it.  We like to use this same recipe for other vegetables as well.  It really adds a lot of good flavor to your barbecue and on top of that, it’s healthy, if you don’t get carried away with the salt.  We totally enjoy asparagus done this way and grill it with chicken, steak, and even salmon.  It makes a wonderful side to any grilled meal, and it is definitely a crowd pleaser, especially these days with more and more people becoming aware of healthy eating.  Give it a try and enjoy!

Red Potato Salad with Vinegar and Olive Oil…Plus a Little Something Extra!

By Jodee Weiland

We were about to have a barbecue with family, and I had everything picked out for the menu.  Actually, I had everything picked out to make except one thing, and that was what type of potato dish.  I didn’t want to make baked potatoes again, but a potato salad like the one mom used to make didn’t seem a very healthy alternative.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Don’t get me wrong it was delicious with eggs, mayo, mustard, onions and celery, but not good for a heart healthy diet, and that is what we try to follow in our house these days.  With that in mind, I came up with an alternative.

I decided to use red potatoes, olive oil, Dijon mustard, fat free Miracle Whip, green onions, and celery.  I wasn’t sure how this would turn out, but I played it by ear, and by the time I finished making this new potato salad, I had to stop my husband from eating too much.  After all, I wanted enough left for the guests who were coming the next day.  So here it is, and this is what I did to make our healthier version of potato salad.

Red Potato Salad with Vinegar and Olive Oil…Plus a Little Something  Extra!

4 pounds red potatoes cooked and cubed with skins
3/4 cup of celery chopped
1/3 cup green onions chopped
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup fat free Miracle Whip
1/8 cup Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1 chopped green onion to sprinkle over top of finished recipe

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Wash and boil the red potatoes in lightly salted water for about 20 to 25 minutes in a covered pot.  When done, drain the potatoes and run cool water over them.  Once cool, cube the red potatoes with skins.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Chop the green onions and celery while the potatoes are cooking.  When the potatoes are cooked and cubed with skins, put them in a large bowl.  Pour olive oil and vinegar over the potatoes and stir.  Add the chopped celery and green onions to this.  Then add in the black pepper, fat free Miracle Whip, and Grey Poupon Dijon mustard.  Blend all of this together stirring gently.  Once blended together, put your red potato salad in a serving bowl.  Sprinkle lightly with a little black pepper and one chopped green onion.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

This recipe for potato salad is not only tasty, but a lot healthier than the mayonnaise based potato salad I grew up eating.  It is also healthier than store bought potato salad.  I know both of these may be a favorite of yours, but I truly believe if you give this alternative a try, you will find it to be very tasty and definitely healthier.  If you do decide to give it a try, I hope you like it as much as we do and enjoy!

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Jalapeno Lime Seasoning…Spice It Up!

By Jodee Weiland

Everyone loves corn on the cob, but lately I keep seeing recipes all over the internet using seasoned butter, mayo, and so much more to make an all-time favorite for most of us.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

Now I am truly a health nut, and I come by it honestly, because my little Italian mother, who lived to be ninety, was a health nut long before it was ever popular.  In fact, there was no internet when she was what we today would call a health nut.  She would work all day, and then at night while she watched the news, she would get down on the living room floor and exercise.  She also did Jack La Lanne exercises for those of you who remember that name.  Now he sells and promotes juicers.

But my mom, Tess as my father called her, not only exercised, she cooked and ate healthy as well.  We didn’t go out to eat much, but when we did it was never fast food.  If we ate out it, it was at a sit down restaurant and usually Italian.  Both my parents lived to be ninety, and I’m sure that was due in large part to using mostly extra virgin olive oil, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of nuts and beans, fresh breads, and only what was considered healthy meats or fish at that time.  My father loved to cook hot peppers in olive oil, and make a pepper sandwich on Italian bread for a meal.

https://learnfromyesterday.com

So when I decided to grill corn on the cob, I eliminated the butter and the mayo, and still ended up with a very tasty and delicious version of grilled corn on the cob.  Most people would taste it, and if I didn’t say anything they would think it had butter on it, but my recipe does not.  Don’t get me wrong, those other things are great if that is what you prefer, but being a health nut like mom, I prefer extra virgin olive oil.

https://learnfromyesterday.comSo here it is, my version of Grilled Corn on the Cob with Jalapeno Lime Seasoning, a blend of granulated salt, garlic, onion, jalapeno pepper, and lime powder.  Believe me when I say, this is not rocket science; it’s just one of my preferred methods to prepare corn on the cob.  I found this particular blend at the Farmer’s Market and have used it on numerous grilled meats and vegetables, as well as on Kale Chips.  It’s great!  Can’t wait to try and make my own using dehydrated ingredients, but that will have to be another post in the future.

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Jalapeno Lime Seasoning

Fresh corn on the cob
Extra virgin olive oil
Jalapeno Lime Seasoning

That’s it!  That’s all you need, and the rest is easy!  Just clean each ear of corn.  Then put it in a shallow dish with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.  Cover loosely and microwave for about two minutes.  Drain any water from the dish.  When the corn cools slightly, rub olive oil on each entire ear of corn.  Sprinkle on the Jalapeno Lime Seasoning to taste, and your corn is ready for the grill.  Grill the corn for about four minutes turning it from side to side during this time.  Once done, it’s ready to eat!

https://learnfromyesterday.com

This is so easy.  Anyone could do it.  Usually when you grill, your focus is on the meats, so doing this part way in the microwave means less time on the grill and an easier option when cooking other things as well.  This recipe is great, and we know when we eat it, it is healthy as well.  So if you decide to give it a try, remember you can change up the seasonings, but use olive oil and stay healthy!  Try it, and I’m certain you will be surprised that this is as good as using butter, and in my mind better.  Try it, and enjoy!