| Fourth of July marks the high point of summer and is | | | | word HOT in front of any topping that you feel |
| often celebrated with an outdoor barbecue. Don't limit | | | | might be too spicy for children. |
| yourself to the good ole American menu of | | | | Your guests including the little ones will have a great |
| hamburgers and hotdogs. There's lots more to grilling | | | | time building their fish tacos. If you're not sure |
| than that. The first task is deciding on a menu that | | | | everyone will like fish, grill some boneless chicken |
| offers something for everyone. If yours is going to | | | | breasts as an alternative. |
| be a family affair then take the kids' preferences into | | | | Serve a grilled and raw veggie platter with several |
| consideration. | | | | dips. Try some new vegetables you might not have |
| Mini burritos are easy and quick. Fill a small flour tortilla | | | | thought about grilling such as carrots, endive spears, |
| with a tablespoon of cooked hamburger, shredded | | | | cherry tomatoes, broccoli spear slices, or summer |
| chicken, or sliced steak. Add a slice of tomato, a | | | | squash slices. Toss the vegetables with a marinade |
| tablespoon of shredded cheese and roll up burrito | | | | of olive oil, citrus juice, garlic, and herbs for at least |
| fashion tucking in the ends so you end up with a nice | | | | an hour before grilling. Use bottled Italian salad |
| little package. Grill for a minute or two on each side | | | | dressing if you're in a hurry. |
| to heat up the meat and melt the cheese and there | | | | Echo the marinade flavors in the dips you offer. Mix |
| you have it. Serve with an interesting salsa of | | | | some Italian salad dressing in a cup of cottage |
| chopped grapefruit, cilantro, onions, jalapeno peppers, | | | | cheese add 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, extra |
| and jicama for the adults to munch on as appetizers | | | | chopped fresh basil and whirl in the blender until |
| until the main course is ready. If you don't like | | | | smooth. |
| grapefruit substitute seedless watermelon. | | | | A quick citrus dip is simply sour cream with lemon, |
| Most kids love fish sticks so why not serve fish | | | | lime, and orange juice. Add a teaspoon of grated |
| tacos? Brush mild boneless fish fillets like halibut or | | | | citrus peel to boost the flavor with some freshly |
| tilapia with a marinade of lemon juice, minced garlic, | | | | grated pepper. |
| minced onion, and a touch of cumin. Grill until the fish | | | | Grilled fruit kabobs make a great dessert for both |
| is cooked through but not over cooked. About 5 | | | | children and adults. Cut peaches, plums, pineapple, in |
| minutes per inch of thickness of the fillet. Cut the | | | | one inch chunks, add seedless grapes and halved |
| fillets into about 4 inch by 2 inch servings. Cover with | | | | apricots. Thread fruit on a short wood skewer and |
| foil and set on the back of the grill to keep warm, in | | | | brush with lime juice. You can do all this ahead. The |
| a warming drawer, or in a 200 hundred degree oven. | | | | lime juice will keep the peaches from turning brown. |
| Set up a taco bar with corn and flour tortillas, | | | | Grill over a low fire until grill marks are barely visible. |
| toppings of tomatoes, sliced onions, cheese, | | | | Remove from the grill and brush with a glaze made |
| shredded cabbage, sliced jalapenos, salsa in both mild | | | | from equal parts honey and lime juice. |
| and hot varieties, cucumbers, chopped cilantro, sweet | | | | Your little guests will be happy and satisfied until the |
| red peppers, cooked corn, black beans, and pinto | | | | fireworks start. |
| beans. Consider putting a sign with a flame and the | | | | |