3 Rainbow Plates for a BBQ Weekend

A 3-day weekend meant 3 nights of BBQs and al fresco meals over here. Here are some "rainbow plate" ideas for those of you assembling meals for kids that take advantage of the fruits and veggies that are in season, and readily available in our supermarkets and farmer's markets.

Above: green beans (if they're tender, no need to steam/cook them), apple slices, blueberries, steamed corn on the cob, chicken sausage, and baby carrots...not the uniform kind in the bag. These ones came from Gazy Brother's booth at the New Canaan Farmer's Market. They were twisty and tender.)

I have a bun-averse 2-year-old these days, hence the reason no buns are present in the photos. But add a bun if your kids like! The plate above included: grilled hamburger, corn on the cob, chunks of fresh tomato, some grilled asparagus (that was drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper), and slices of nectarine.

And last but not least, since one must have at least one hot dog on a holiday weekend: cucumber pennies (just thinly sliced cucumber), fresh corn mixed with a little olive oil and rice wine vinegar, nectarines and blueberries, all beef hot dog, and sweet potatoes.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!