| Summer is a great time to barbecue. It can also be a | | | | inclination to make something, they can just bring a bag |
| money saver. It is much better to heat up the outdoors | | | | of chips, cookies, or even a watermelon. |
| cooking than to heat up your house by cooking | | | | - Make your own barbecue sauce. Don't waste the |
| indoors, especially if you are running air-conditioning. | | | | juice from cans of fruit that you open. Save it, add a |
| Barbeques are also wonderful for getting friends and | | | | little ketchup, and you have the start of a great sauce. |
| family together. and in general, inexpensive | | | | - Don't use paper products. If you don't have enough |
| entertainment. People like to come to barbeques | | | | dishes, ask others to bring their own, or invest in some |
| because they can bring their whole family, and not | | | | inexpensive dishes that you can use over and over. |
| have to find a sitter for their children. | | | | - Big napkins to place over your lap when you are |
| Barbeques do not have to be expensive. You don't | | | | eating are very practical. Buy some cloth and make |
| have to have a big gas unit with side shelves. You do | | | | them. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can turn |
| not have to cook steak. You don't even have to buy | | | | the edges over and sew by hand, or use iron on tape. |
| barbecue sauce. | | | | - If you are short on chairs, have your company bring |
| With that in mind, here are some ideas to barbecue in | | | | some. Most people have folding aluminum chairs or |
| the summer and keep the cost down. | | | | camp chairs that are easily transported. |
| - First of all, if you don't have a barbecue, you can buy | | | | - If you have a lawn, consider sitting on blankets. Again, |
| very inexpensive units that sit on a table. You can | | | | let people know in advance so they can bring their |
| even make your own by using half of a steel barrel | | | | own. Children often enjoy this the most. |
| and placing a rack over it. | | | | Here are some safety and cooking tips |
| - If you are using charcoal briquettes for your heat | | | | - Before you place your meat on the barbecue, be |
| source, stock up on them when they go on sale. They | | | | sure it is fully defrosted. It is best to place it on paper |
| last for years. | | | | towels after it comes out of the refrigerator for about |
| - Everything tastes better outdoors. Many things taste | | | | 30 minutes. Pat it down on both sides before cooking, |
| better grilled over charcoal. Most people are satisfied | | | | and the meat will cook more evenly. |
| with a simple hamburger or hot dog. Chicken, Salmon, | | | | - You can use the microwave to defrost frozen meat |
| kabobs, and corn on the cob are also favorites.. | | | | before putting it on the grill. |
| Hot dogs can be cooked plain. Here is an easy recipe | | | | - When cooking meat use a meat thermometer to |
| for hamburgers: | | | | make sure the meat is fully cooked. You can also buy |
| 2 pounds ground beef | | | | one that checks the temperature of your grill. |
| 1 packet dry soup mix | | | | - If you are using charcoal, and the temperature is too |
| 1/2 cup water | | | | low, do not add cold charcoal to the existing briquettes. |
| 1 tsp barbecue sauce | | | | Heat it up first. |
| 3/4 cups dried bread crumbs | | | | - To cook quickly and economically, lift the lid as few |
| - Provide the meat, and assign side dishes to those | | | | times as possible. |
| coming to the barbecue. Most people don't like to | | | | And finally....the most important thing to remember |
| come empty handed,and feel more comfortable | | | | when it comes to barbequing - let your husband do it. |
| bringing something. If they don't have the time or | | | | |