I have limited patience with cooking on a good day.  Add in a hot, humid, been outside all day – day and I really rebel against slaving in front of a hot stove for hours preparing healthy dinners.

Thank Goodness For The BBQ. Seriously.

A little meat, a little marinade and BOOM! Deliciousness the whole family will eat.

But what to serve on the side? Meat is lonely at a meal, it needs a +1.

Here are three awesome ideas for a little BBQ friend:

Zesty Corn and Pasta Salad

We loved this salad – my kids were… selective in eating the items they liked out of it… but I didn’t care as they still got lots of veggies down their gullet. I have also tried it with some grilled veggies, and because I love it, cilantro.

Grilled Guacomole

Um, pardon? Grilled avocado? I love, love, love avocado – and to find a new way to create with it tickled my fancy. Yes, you are grilling avocado.  Don’t knock it until you try it. Again, my kids were, um, somewhat reserved about the avocado – but I bet your kids are less picky than mine.  Don’t forget it took me 2.5 years to get The Boy to eat carrots. Yup, you heard me.

Green Garden Fries

This is on the to make list this week.  It has all the ingredients for yummy goodness in my mind.  Love the twist on the fries – my kids will eat sweet potato if they are presented as fries, so my hopes are high on this one.

What is your BBQ +1? What does meat invite to the party?

About Shelagh Cummins

Shelagh Cummins is the founder, editor and Mum-in-chief at Practicalmum.com – an online community parenting resource & blog. She is also the Principal at BizTrainHer.com, a boutique firm specializing in designing, developing and facilitating training for women in business.

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