Barbeques: Gone are the days when you spend hours over charcoal trying desperately to light it while everyone is getting hungry. You can now buy bags of ‘instant lighting’ charcoal or evenuse a gas barbecue to speed things up.

If you don’t have a barbecue, you can buy one of those handy disposable ones which are just as quick to light. Barbecues are such good news for parents: children love the eating outside because of the novelty of it all and there’s less clearing up. If you really feel like treating yourself youcould use paper plates and get the children to throw them in the recycling bin at the end of the meal.

If your family is getting bored of barbecued bangers and burgers then try some of these barbecue recipes.

Honey & GingerPrawms (or chicken) You need: Honey (Preferably in a squeezy bottle), Prawns or Chicken, Fresh Ginger

• Prepare the prawns (if using chicken, sliceinto strips). Place in a large dish or bowl.
• Drizzle honey generously over one side.Then grate fresh ginger over.
• Turn chicken/prawns over and repeat.
• Leave for as long as you want to marinade. To cook either, grill or bbq.

Homemade Beefburgers You need: 1 apple, 500g minced beef, 1 tsp marmite
• Mix a peeled grated apple with 500g of lean mince beefand a teaspoon of marmite.
• Shape and firmly press into around 10 burgers – squeeze the mixture together so they don’t fall apart during cooking.
• Brush both sides with oil and grill, barbecue or fry until cooked through … about 10 mins each side.
• Serve with a bun and salad or with baked beans, broccoli and chips.

BBQ Mushrooms You need: Flat mushrooms, Pesto, Vegetarian Cheese (optional)
This is a quick but delicious recipe for vegetarians (be sure to place it on foil to keep away from meat juices).
• For each person wash, and peel if necessary 1 large flat cap mushrooms.
• Place upside down on foil and put on enough pesto to cover gills.
• Cook until mushroom is soft.
• Can add various veggie cheeses before cooking. Serve in a bun with salad.