Family activities are part of what make summertime so enjoyable. If you want to bring out the grill to make a refreshing and filling meal for your loved ones, here are a few meals that the entire family can help with.
Chicken and Veggie Skewers
Have your children help you assemble all the items for these tasty grilled skewers. Cut up large pieces of bell peppers, portabello mushrooms, onions and chicken pieces, and help your kids put these foods onto a skewer. If your son or daughter is old enough, you can let them help you cut up the ingredients that belong on the skewer. Fill a bowl with seasonings for the skewers, like soy sauce, fresh herbs, melted butter and barbecue sauce. Help your little one brush this flavorful sauce onto the skewers, and grill the skewers for a few minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked thoroughly. You can also use extra firm tofu in place of chicken if you’re making a vegetarian grilled meal.
Grilled Pizza
Pizza is a meal that will satisfy the entire family. Prepare a pizza dough with all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, yeast, warm water and oil. Let your children top the pizza with their favorite veggies, meats and cheeses. Be sure to keep some extra oil on hand to keep the dough moist during grilling. If you’re also preparing grilled chicken or steak for your family barbecue, save some of the meat to use as pizza topping. You can even make a fruit pizza for dessert using jelly or preserves as the pizza sauce, along with fresh fruits like berries, peaches and coconut to finished off your barbecue meal.
Grilled Tacos
Tacos are a family-friendly dinner, since everyone can make their tacos exactly the way they want. Marinate chicken, steak or tofu pieces in olive oil, basil, chili powder, lime juice and chipotle peppers to give the main ingredient in the tacos especially delicious. Have your older children help you put the meat on the grill, turning the meat at two-minute intervals until it is cooked thoroughly. Place enough tortillas on the grill for everyone, and leave them on the grill for about 30 seconds. Get every member of the family involved by asking everyone to fill bowls with their favorite taco toppings like olives, onions, lettuce or shredded cheese so everyone can top their tacos the way they want.
“Foiled” Fish
For this recipe, you’ll need foil, tilapia or snapper filets, olive oil, lime and your favorite veggies and seasonings. Place the fish in the middle of a large piece of foil, and let your children help you top the fish with fresh lime juice, olive oil, onion, garlic, peppers and seasonings. Put the foil packs on the grill for about six minutes, and you’ve got an easy and healthy dinner. Your kids will be more likely to try this meal if they help to make it.
Grilled Fruit
Top off the meal by putting your favorite fruits on the grill. Slice some peaches, strawberries, plums and pineapples. Help your children place the fruit slices on the grill carefully. When you remove the fruit from the grill, allow your kids to brush a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, orange juice and vanilla flavoring on the fruit. Serve the grilled fruit with vanilla yogurt or the family’s favorite flavor of ice cream.
