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Get kids cooking with these easy favourites

Kids are still out of school for approximately another month. Their spare time is a great chance to get them to help out with meals.
82486cowichanvalleycitizenDEZlambshanks
These lamb shanks with barbecue sauce from Chef Dez’s latest cookbook show how versatile it can be.

Kids are still out of school for approximately another month. Their spare time is a great opportunity to get them to help out with the family meals. Here are some great “no cook” recipes that kids of any age can prepare. Getting kids involved, whether you’re firing up the grill or just making a casual lunch, helps to give them pride and appreciation for family mealtime gatherings. Enjoy...

 

No-Cook BBQ Sauce

 

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon molasses

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce or 2 drops Tabasco sauce

Pinch of salt

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Couple drops of liquid smoke, optional

1. Mix together and keep refrigerated.

 

Honey Mustard Sauce

 

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon liquid honey

 

1. Mix together and keep refrigerated.

 

Quick & Easy Oil & Vinegar Salad Dressing

 

“Why buy pre-made bottled oil & vinegar dressing, when you can make this in minutes?”

 

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

One third cup balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp liquid honey

1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

1 garlic clove, crushed

1. Put all ingredients in a jar with a lid.

2. Shake to combine and pour immediately over salad greens of your choice.

Makes slightly more than three quarters of a cup

 

No-Cook Sweet & Sour Sauce

 

The ingredient “ketjap manis” is basically sweet soy sauce — look for it at your local Asian grocery or down the Asian foods aisle in your major supermarket. If you can’t find it you can substitute it with 4 tablespoons of soy sauce mixed with 3 tablespoons of sugar.”

 

1/2 cup ketchup

3 tablespoons golden corn syrup or honey

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon ketjap manis

2 teaspoons mayonnaise

Pinch of salt

 

1. Mix together and keep refrigerated.

 

» Chef Dez is a food columnist, culinary travel host and cookbook author. Visit him at www.chefdez.com or write to him at dez@chefdez.com or PO Box 2674, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 6R4