Prawn and Pasta Salad

It's holiday season with the family at home and friends stopping by for a meal, so what better time to dust off the grill and fire up the backyard barbie.

The summer season sausage sizzle usually sounds warning bells for those trying to keep extra kilos off their waist line, but there's really no need for a barbeque spread to put a dent in your diet.

Many people are able to follow a healthy eating plan most days of the week, even during the festive season, and it's a shame to see this good work blown out the window by a backyard barbeque indulgence.

Grilling isn't just for hamburgers and sausages, almost any food can be barbequed to perfection - the key is to be creative. Healthy food choices can taste just as good as traditional, and often less healthy, alternatives.

For example, there are many easy and tasty ways to balance up the usual barbeque banquet by including healthy grain-inspired dishes - both for the main meal and as a side dish. Not only are grain foods economical, they're tasty, simple to prepare, and a guaranteed healthy way to fill you up on goodness.

So when planning your next family feast, here's some tips and easy recipes for a healthy barbeque meal that will let you relax and enjoy, without feeling guilty for digging in.

gograins_prawn_pasta Serves 4
Preparation Time - 10 mins
Cooking Time - 15 mins

Ingredients:
250g dried pasta
250g medium cooked prawns, peeled (= 500g unshelled)
1 Lebanese cucumber, seeded and sliced
1 bunch thin asparagus
1 red onion, very thinly sliced
Grated black pepper
Sprigs fresh dill

Yoghurt Dressing:
1/2 cup low fat yoghurt
1/4 cup oil free Italian dressing
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon water

Method:
1. Place pasta in a large pot of boiling water and cook until tender but al dente
2. Rinse pasta under cold water and drain
3. Cook asparagus until tender but still crisp
4. Combine pasta with prawns, cucumber, asparagus and onion in a large bowl
5. Combine yoghurt dressing ingredients in a bowl, mixing well until smooth
6. Just before serving, drizzle salad with dressing, black pepper and dill

Variation: Add or substitute fresh or canned salmon, cooked squid or scallops.

For more information on the health benefits of grains, and more delicious family favourite recipes, visit: www.gograins.com.au