Getting the whole family involved in cooking is a win-win situation--fun for the kids and helpful for the grown-ups. And stepping away from the stove to take the feast outdoors can make family cooking more enjoyable.
Even if you're just throwing some burgers on the backyard barbeque, a little advance planning and creativity go a long way. The more thought you and the kids put into an outdoor meal, the more smoothly it will go, and the more relaxed everyone will be.
So where do you start? One good place is Kikkoman's new online guide, Celebrating Family Time Outdoors. Kikkoman, the world's leading supplier of naturally brewed soy sauce and other authentic Asian sauces and seasonings, is a company dedicated to food, family and tradition. After all, it has been family-owned for more than 300 years. Celebrating Family Time Outdoors is packed with tips, family-friendly recipes and a picnic basketful of suggestions for cooking outdoors, including:
• Locations and Themes--Tips for organizing the menu, planning games and activities, plus ideas for cookouts, camping and luaus.
• Getting Organized--How to make planning and shopping fun and educational for kids.
• Packing Picnics--A complete picnic checklist makes it easy to remember all the big and little details.
• BBQ Basics--The low-down on firing up the grill, with cooking pointers and safety tips.
• Outdoor Food Safety--Helpful tips for storing and transporting food safely.
Great Plains Kabobs
Makes 4 to 6 servings
11/2 lbs. boneless beef sirloin steak, 11/2 inches thick
1/2 cup Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 ears of corn, cooked and cooled
6 (10-inch) metal skewers
Cut beef into 11/2-inch cubes; place in large plastic food storage bag. Combine next 4 ingredients; reserve 2 Tbsp. Pour remaining marinade over beef cubes. Press air out of bag; close top securely. Turn bag over to coat pieces well; marinate 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut each corn ear crosswise into 4 equal pieces; add to plastic bag. Marinate 10 minutes, turning bag over occasionally. Thread beef and corn alternately onto skewers, leaving space between pieces. Grill 5 inches from hot coals 4 minutes on each side (for medium-rare), or to desired doneness. Brush corn occasionally with reserved marinade.
Steak and corn on a skewer make a great meal the whole family can have fun creating.