The weather today was perfect - sunny and not too warm.  In fact, it was the kind of weather that makes you want to fire up the grill, sit outside, relax and enjoy nature.  Sounds nice, right?  The only problem is that we live in Astoria, Queens - and outdoor space is hard to come by (which is a nice way of saying that we have no outdoor space).  Have I let that stop me?  No way.  Today was the day of the indoor bbq.

This morning I remembered that we had some leftover corn in the fridge - which instantly made me think of burgers (does that make sense? I don't know, but when I see corn on the cob - I want a burger to go with it).  However, because I spent my Saturday eating pizza and drinking beer -  I knew that if tonight was going to be burger night - then it was going to have to be more "healthy" and less "ish".

I always turn to Eating Well when I want a healthy recipe that tastes great and includes fresh ingredients.  Seriously, you cannot go wrong with Eating Well - just search for whatever you are craving and they have a healthy way for you to make it.  I found this recipe for Spicy Turkey Burgers with Pickled Onions (once I saw that the burgers were seasoned with ground chipotle, I couldn't say no).  I also found a Guy Fieri recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salad (a seemingly perfect use for my corn on the cob).  Until today, I've never tried one of Guy's recipes, however, after watching his show - Diners, Drive-ins and Dives - I 100% trust his opinion on good food.

Turns out - neither recipe disappointed.  Have you ever had pickled onions?  Jeeeeez they are good - whip these up tonight - they are so simple, and so so delicious.  The all spice and brown sugar really add a ton of flavor to the vinegar (while taking the edge off of it) - and the entire combination just brought the burgers to life.  The little touch of all spice in the burgers really tied everything together.

The corn salad was a really solid side dish - the cider vinegar was the perfect compliment to the sweetness in the red pepper and corn, and the black beans added heartiness.  There was no need for another starch or vegetable with this meal - the corn salad was the perfect side dish.

I grilled the corn and the burgers on my indoor grill, which was nice - but it doesn't hold a candle to the great outdoors.  I guess we'll have to settle for the great indoors for now.

What's your favorite healthy-ish recipe for the grill?  Email it to me, katie.safrey@healthy-ish.com, and I'll give it a try!

Spicy Turkey Burgers with Pickled Onions

• 1 cup red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 small red onion, halved and very thinly sliced
• 1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 4 whole-wheat buns, split
• 8 teaspoons reduced-fat mayonnaise

Directions

1. To prepare pickled onions: Whisk vinegar, brown sugar, salt and allspice in a medium glass bowl. Cover and microwave on High until the mixture boils, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, bring the mixture to a boil in a small saucepan on the stove.) Add onion and toss to coat.
2. To prepare burgers: Preheat grill to high. Place turkey in a medium bowl and gently mix in cilantro, cumin, ground chipotle, salt and allspice until distributed throughout the meat. Form the mixture into 4 patties. Brush with oil.
3. Grill the burgers until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Toast buns on the grill, if desired.
4. Drain the onion, discarding the marinade. Spread 2 teaspoons mayonnaise on each bun; top with a burger and pickled onions.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

• 4 ears corn, husks removed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup snow peas, julienned
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Directions
Preheat the grill to medium.

Grill the corn until lightly charred, about 2 minutes, turning frequently. Transfer the corn to a cutting board and using a serrated knife remove the kernels. Set aside.

In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, then the red bell pepper and the red onion. Saute for 3 minutes, then add the vinegar, beans and corn and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the snow peas and saute for 1 minute more. Remove from the heat to a serving bowl and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or cold.

Every year there are countless articles and blog posts that provide tips on how to stay on your diet over the 4th of July weekend.  These articles generally tell you to have one beer, eat a hamburger with no bun, stay away from anything that contains mayo, eat fruit salad and bring your own healthy foods with you to the party.  Sounds like a really fun bbq, right?  And on a personal note - when you are bringing food to someone's party - for the love of god - bring normal food.  You are the only one eating your fake cheese, low sodium, fat free everything dip.

When I go to a bbq, I want to have fun.  And I want you to have fun.  Of course I want you to be healthy and not screw up your diet - but in order to do this you need to put the day in perspective.  It's not your last meal, but it's also not a normal day.  Find balance and you'll find that staying healthy at a bbq is no big deal.

Here are some tricks of the trade that I've picked up over the years:
1.  Food is great, but there are other reasons why we go to a BBQ.  Remind yourself that you are there to spend time with your friends (not hover over the buffet).  Try and switch your perspective and remember that the purpose of the bbq isn't JUST to eat - sit in a chair and enjoy being outside, catch-up with your family and friends.  Eat when/if you're hungry.

2.  Play "Let's Make a Deal".  I love salty and savory foods - I like dessert but it's not a deal breaker for me.  So that means that I'll make a deal with myself to enjoy a handful of chips and dip and skip dessert.  And if dessert comes, and it looks amazing - I have one bite, hey, I made a deal (and at least I got my chips).

3.  Know When to Stop.  I find them sometimes when I am at a BBQ - I just keep picking at food all day long, even when I'm no longer hungry.  Think about it - that's insane.  Eat like you would on any normal day - with normal portion sizes.  Would you eat 4 hamburgers and a pound of dip after work on a Tuesday?  No? Then don't do it at a bbq.

4.  Outdoor activities are your friend.  Sneak in a little exercise where you can.  Are people playing bocce?  Play with them.  Lawn darts? Just do it.  Keep it moving and you're likely to eat less.

5.  Stay light when it comes to alcohol.  I'm not going to tell you to have one beer and 8 glasses of water.  Drink your beer, wine or whatever it is that you drink.  Just think about what you are doing.  Pick light beer if possible, and if it's margaritas - consider having just one (the sugar and calories in a margarita are just not worth it to me). 

6.  Have breakfast.  Arriving at a bbq ravenously hungry is a bad idea.  You know it, and I know it.  So eat something.

Remember, you aren't going to gain 5 lbs in a day.  Take it easy on yourself and have fun - and remember that you can go back to your healthy lifestyle tomorrow.  The day after a bbq - wake up, have a big glass of water - and declare the pig-out over.  Then stick with it.

Have a great 4th of July weekend everyone!  If you eat anything awesome that I need to know about - tell me in the comments.