Happy Fourth of July from Boston Children’s Hospital! If you’re planning on firing up the grill and inviting family and friends to join you for a backyard barbeque this afternoon, why not create a few menu items that are both delicious and heart healthy? The following recipes were complied by the staff at Boston Children’s Heart Center, each a healthy twist on a traditional BBQ favorite. Enjoy!

Appetizer:  Low fat deviled eggs

Serving deviled eggs? Try low-fat cottage cheese for healthier take on a sinful treat.

• 12 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled
• 1/3 cup nonfat or low fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallion greens
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Paprika for garnish

1. Halve eggs lengthwise with a sharp knife. Gently remove the yolks. Place 16 yolk halves in a food processor (discard the remaining 8 yolk halves). Add cottage cheese, mayonnaise, chives (or scallion greens), relish, mustard and salt; process until smooth.
2. Spoon about 2 teaspoons yolk mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.

Tip: To hard-boil eggs, place them in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook at the barest simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, pour out hot water and cover the eggs with ice-cold water. Let stand until cool enough to handle before peeling.

Recipe originally found here.

SIDE DISH: Red, White and Blue Potato Salad

Mayonnaise may be a key ingredient in most potato salad recipes, but this heart-friendly version substitutes the mayo with olive oil—without skimping on taste.

• 2 pounds baby potatoes, a mix of white and blue (or purple)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers, rinsed
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herb (parsley, cilantro or mint)

1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and cover with lightly salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a cutting board. Let cool for 20 minutes.
2. Whisk lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Cut the potatoes in half, add to the bowl and toss to coat.
3. Just before serving, add peppers, scallions and mint to the salad and toss gently.

Recipe originally found here.

SIDE SALAD: Romaine, grilled avocado and smoky corn salad with chipotle-Caesar dressing

A refreshing side salad is a healthy alternative to potato chips and other junk foods. This salad is perfect for outdoor eating on a hot summer afternoon.

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle chiles in adobo
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 ears of corn, shucked
• 2 firm-ripe 6-to 8-ounces avocados, halved and pitted but not peeled
• 1 head romaine (1 pound), tough outer leaves discarded and head quartered lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch strips

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over hot charcoal (high heat for gas). Put parmesan in a medium bowl and add olive oil in a slow stream, whisking. Whisk in lime juice, garlic, chipotles, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Rub vegetable oil on corn and cut sides of avocados, then season with 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Grill avocados, cut sides down, and corn, covered only if using a gas grill, turning corn occasionally, until golden-brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Peel avocados and thinly slice. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Toss romaine with dressing and serve topped with avocado and corn.

TIP: Corn and avocados can be grilled, in batches if necessary, in a lightly oiled hot grill pan over medium-high heat.

Recipe originally found here.

MAIN DISH: Lean Turkey Burgers

Turkey or chicken burgers can be up to 90% leaner than beef and often contains less fat. But just because it’s leaner doesn’t mean it needs to be any less juicy or tasty.

• 1 pound of ground turkey
• 1 (1 ounce) package of ranch dressing mix
• 1 egg
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
2. Knead together the turkey, ranch mix, egg, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt and pepper in a bowl until evenly combined; divide into 4 equal portions and form into patties.
3. Cook on the preheated grill about 5 minutes per side for well done. Add any veggie toppings you’d like. Try it on a whole-wheat bun with some fresh tomatoes, onions and lettuce.

Recipe originally found here.

Dessert: Flag Fruit Kabobs

Show your patriotic spirit with a healthy, flag-themed fruit spread.

INGREDIENTS

• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh Blueberries
• Fresh Bananas
• Kabob sticks

Wash fruit and place on a paper towel to dry. Cut the stems off the strawberries, slice the bananas into sections of 5-6 pieces. Using a kabob stick, slide the fruit onto the stick—placing equal amounts of blueberries at the top of 5 kabobs—and arrange on a platter.

Recipe originally found here.