I know some kids who are too smart for MY own good. Especially when it comes to judging the ‘fair-ness’ of a situation like when it comes time for distributing the bounty of the grill…
Sweet, slightly spicy, ultra-colourful Hawaiian Hot Dog Skewers…
SO much netter than what the adults are having!
I didn’t know parents still did this king of thing. But apparently, they do. When I was little, planning for the summer ‘reunion’ at the farm, the parents all got together and decided in advance to decide how much, and in what way(s), they would disenfranchise the kids, at the big, apex feast of the event.
“They’ll never know the difference”
It seems that the older generation were as concerned about the cost of food – in their own way – as we are today.
“If we’re going to have steak (or chicken legs, or whatever), we’ll just get the kids hamburgers or hot dogs,” I once overheard my dad’s oldest brother say, seeking agreement from his siblings to check that point off his list. “They’ll never know the difference.”
Well, at least some of them today do notice. And they’ll let you know it, too.
Misdirection and misinformation
But I’ve discovered a solution to the eternal problem of ‘kids who catch on’… It’s part sleight-of-hand, like Three Card Monty. And part psychological warfare.
Just tell the kids what they’re getting is SO much better than what you’re having… And how privileged they are. Then show them a photo of the finished product.
What they’re having is a fancy-looking skewer, alternating 1 in. / 2.5 cm chunks of Hot Dog, red onion, pineapple, multi-coloured bell peppers, and whatever else turns your crank. And basting it with a complementary grilling sauce before cooking it to sizzling perfection like you would a ‘grown-up’ skewer. (No actual marinating needed, though it will produce a superior product.)
Serving magic…
When ready to serve, lightly toast a foot-long sub or sausage roll, cut cases down on the grill. Then place a still-loaded skewer on the lower bun half, apply condiments, close up the bum, and side out the skewer, leaving its load of grilled goodies smack in the centre of the bun.
My take
What fun to be well-past the age when I or my cousins my age have kids young enough they we have to deal with such subterfuges! Issues of that magnitude are now well above my fixed-income, retire-ment pay grade!
Tips and hacks?
Be sure to use metal skewers which will slip smoothly out of the food stacks. Also, grill the food until all items are a little softer than you’d usually serve them. That will make the food items easier for the kids to chomp down on without totally mangling the buns as they eat.
Use your imagination to keep these ‘special’ kid-targeted grill treats fresh, ingredient-selection-wise.
In case you hadn’t noticed – here’s a good demonstration of the misdirection principle – this is also a great way to sneak a bunch of fresh veggies onto the kids’ daily menu…
~ Maggie J.