Summertime brings longer days, warmer weather and many opportunities to enjoy the company of family and friends at barbeques, picnics and block parties. If not planned out wisely, though, these parties can mean high-calorie meals that aren’t kind to your waistline.

By making a few simple substitutions, you can easily cut calories, added sugar and make any summer meal healthier. SPLENDA Signature Chef and expert entertainer Katie Brown suggests serving fresh, no-fuss recipes that feature the bold, bright flavors of healthy fruits and vegetables that are in season.

“A fresh summer salad with a light citrus dressing is one of my summer entertaining staples,” said Brown. “I also love baking pies, especially during the summer months, because they are such a classic American dessert.”

Brown also suggests using SPLENDA Sweetener Products in place of sugar in some of your favorite party foods, such as snack mix or fruity beverages. “Your guests will enjoy themselves more knowing that they are indulging in delicious food while not going overboard on calories.”

Chef Katie Brown’s Nostalgic Apple Pie
Makes eight servings
1 prepared double pie crust
7 cups baking apples, thin-sliced, cored, peeled
1 cup SPLENDA No-Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place one crust into a 9-inch pie pan.

Place sliced apples into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Combine SPLENDA Granulated Sweetener, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over apples and toss.

Spoon apple mixture into piecrust. Place the second crust over the filling. Seal edges, trim and flute. Make small openings in the top crust. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the top crust is golden. Serve warm or chilled.

Nutritional information per serving: calories 310; calories from fat 140; total fat 15 grams; saturated fat 4 grams; cholesterol 0 mg; sodium 270 mg; total carbs 43 grams; dietary fiber 5 grams; sugars 16 grams; protein 3 grams.

Barbecued Chicken
Makes eight servings
Barbecue Sauce
3 cups reduced-sugar ketchup
1/4 cup SPLENDA Brown Sugar Blend
1/3 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon paprika
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Chicken
1/4 cup SPLENDA Sugar Blend
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup hot tap water
3 cups cold water
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients for barbecue sauce in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes, or until slightly thickened. (Top with a splatter guard during cooking.) Use immediately or cool, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 month.

Combine SPLENDA Sugar Blend, salt, and hot water in 1-gallon zipper-lock bag and shake to dissolve SPLENDA and salt. Add cold water and chicken. Press air out of bag, seal, and refrigerate 1.5-2 hours.

Remove chicken from brine and discard brine. Refrigerate chicken until half an hour before you want to grill it (up to 1 day).

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle all over with pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Heat grill to medium-high. Brush grill grate and coat with oil.

Put chicken on grill, cover, and cook 5-7 minutes on one side. Flip chicken and brush with barbecue sauce. Cook another 5-7 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).

Coat chicken with 1-1/2 cups Sweet and Smoky Barbecue Sauce.

Nutritional information: calories 270; calories from fat 60; total fat 7 grams; saturated fat 1.5 grams; cholesterol 70 mg; sodium 1,770 mg; total carbs 25 grams; dietary fiber 1 gram; sugars 68 grams; protein 22 grams.

Southern Iced Tea
Makes six servings
5 cups water, divided
2 family size tea bags
1 cup SPLENDA No-Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

Optional flavoring: 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Optional garnish: mint sprigs, lemon slices
Bring 3 cups of the water to a boil. Pour over tea bags; cover and steep 10 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags, squeezing gently.

Stir SPLENDA Granulated Sweetener into tea; add remaining 2 cups water. Add lemon juice, if desired. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish, if desired.

Tip: Substitute three or four regular-size tea bags or 1 tablespoon loose tea for 1 family-size tea bag.

Nutritional information: calories 15; calories from fat 0; total fat 0 grams; saturated fat 0 grams; cholesterol 0 mg; sodium 5 mg; total carbs 4 grams; dietary fiber 0 grams; sugars 3 grams; protein 0 grams.

Send a pie to help feed the hungry
SPLENDA Sweetener and Meals on Wheels sweetened Independence Day this year by delivering  slices of apple pie – baked with Chef Katie Brown’s recipe – to those in need across America. You can still help by visiting www.Facebook.com/Splenda and virtually creating your favorite slice of pie to share with family and friends.

SPLENDA donated $50,000 to Meals on Wheels Assoc. of America and if 25,000 additional slices of pie are sent by Labor Day, SPLENDA will donate an additional $5,000. Start spreading the sweet today!

All materials courtesy of ECES; recipes courtesy of Katie Brown and Splenda. For more information and recipes, visit www.Splenda.com