Father's Day is Sunday, so it's time for a gift guide.

Dad will love you forever if you get him:

? A new time-trial bike.

? A depth finder-GPS for his kayak.

? One of those bicycle-helmet video cameras.

Oh wait, that's my list.

What dad really wants is something you should promise this week then deliver next weekend, when we all participate in the great American Backyard Campout on June 26.

Promoted by the National Wildlife Federation, the great American Backyard Campout has one goal: to get kids away from video screens.

That's also the goal of the Michigan no Child Left Inside Coalition, which meets for its second annual summit Wednesday at the University of Michigan's Dearborn campus. The coalition's motives are simple. It wants kids to go outside and play because it's good for their minds, bodies and communities. Children who participate in the outdoors are more creative, have better attention spans, do better in school and are less likely to be overweight.

And sharing a love of the outdoors with them means they'll grow up to be the next generation of conservationists protecting our natural resources.

That's what dad wants long-term. what dad wants now is for his offspring to invite him for a backyard campout, complete with 'smores and scary stories. (And many fathers need those sleeping-under-the-stars fitness and mental benefits, too.)

Some dads may need to be eased into it, though. That's why backyard camping is good. you can stay out all night without getting too far from the refrigerator or bathroom.

So plan on leaving for your camping trip late Saturday afternoon. things you'll have to do right away is pitch a tent and maybe set up a bonfire for roasting those hot dogs and marshmallows. Assuming you don't already have a backyard firepit, you can have your fire in a cheap portable grill or just roll the gas grill over to the edge of the patio.

An inexpensive tent should be sufficient to keep the biting insects off, and regular pillows and blankets are fine substitutes for fancy sleeping bags on a warm midsummer night.

You'll also need flashlights. make sure everyone has a flashlight for every camping trip, not just because it gets dark at night, and a good time is guaranteed.

You'll need games. since you already have flashlights, you could play one of the many variations of flashlight tag. at its simplest, it's a variation of hide-and-seek in which the flashlights are used to tag the people found. More complicated versions use secret codes of long and short flashes -- or your imagination.

You'll need food. Simple is always good. Smores and hot dogs are even better. And since you're going to be out all night, plan for late-night snacks and breakfast, too.

And you'll need scary stories. did I ever tell you the one about the kids who never went camping?

Eckert: Camping 'trip' is perfect gift for Father's Day

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After rinsing and drying asparagus, May adds extra virgin olive oil, garlic, Lawrys seasoning and a little salt and pepper. Theres no butter.

The asparagus is wrapped in foil and placed on the top shelf of the grill, which is turned on high. May said the asparagus is ready in 10-15 minutes.

Shelby McEssy is another grilling fanatic.

I love veggies on the grill, she said. I wrap them in aluminum foil and add a little olive oil, salt, pepper, basil or Italian seasoning.

A typical concoction includes zucchini, green peppers and onions bought at local farmers markets.

McEssy said she has a Weber grill and a gas grill.

In the winter, she uses a gas grill so shes not out in the cold checking if the coals are ready. In the summer, she tends to fire up her Weber grill, using the extra time waiting on the coals to relax outside having a drink, watching the birds or traffic go by. She said when she starts the Weber grill, she also uses part of the wait time to chop vegetables and do prep work.

A recent hit with family and friends was a salmon recipe cooked in aluminum foil pockets.

I went to the seafood guy (Brian Carter, owner of Fond du Lac Seafood on North Main Street). he told me how to make it. we had a bunch of people over, including teenage kids. I figured the kids would eat chicken breast, brats and burgers. The adults had to fight them off for the salmon. Finally I told them they could have one bite and then had to go to the other stuff. I wish I would have gotten all salmon.

Beer chicken

McEssy said shes made a whole turkey on the grill and beer can chicken made with an open can of beer stuffed inside the bird.

Corn on the cob is grilled with husks on, after the cobs have been soaked in water for a few hours.

I got into it myself, McEssy said about her grilling prowess. my dad did a lot of grilling. when my husband was alive, he did the grilling while I was inside getting all the stuff organized salads and setting the table.

Robin Driessen Bruecker, a Sheboygan resident who works in Fond du Lac, said in her circles its the guys who do the grilling.

These women prove great grilling is not just for men

It’s summer time! One thing we love to do at my house during the summer is to grill. we grill at least twice a week during the summer (and at least once a month during the winter). and grilling isn’t just for meat and fish. we grill vegetables and bread as well; we’ve been known to prepare an entirely vegetarian meal on the grill, since we have been trying to reduce our red meat consumption for health reasons.

Grilling can be a fun way to enjoy your food, whether you only grill for summer holidays like the Fourth of July, or whether you make grilling a regular part of your cooking rotation. On top of that, using the grill means that you won’t be using your stove. Cooking outdoors can be a way to help reduce your utility bills in the summer by preventing the need for your air conditioner to kick on, cooling the house after you’ve been using the stove.

Good grilling takes some practice, though. Here are 8 tips that can encourage better grilling:

1. Pre-heat the grill

Food can stick if you don’t heat up your grill ahead of time. just like your oven needs to be pre-heated for best results when you are baking, your grill should be pre-heated for best results while you are grilling.

2. Gather everything you need before you start cooking

Before you throw anything on the grill, get together everything you need in order to cook your food. get your sauces, brushes and other items together. Arrange the food items you are cooking so that they are easy to access. Bring empty plates to the grill so that you are ready to place the food on them when it is done. A good time to get everything together is while the grill is pre-heating.

3. Don’t get too excited about flipping your food

One of the things that dries out your food is flipping it too much. From chicken breast to steak to fish, when you flip your food too much, it gets dry and tough. in order to help the food retain moisture, keep flipping to a minimum. You can consult a cookbook or grilling book for approximate times on each side, and then learn to adjust the times, according to your grill and your taste.

4. slow down on the sauces

Marinating your food is one thing, but slathering it in sauce is another. Instead of putting the sauce on at first, wait a few minutes in. Baste your food later to avoid burning the sauce.

5. use foil for fish

Often, flaky fish can slip through the grates to fall into the fire. You can reduce the chances of losing part of your dinner by covering the grates with foil ahead of time. My husband has been doing this for years, to great effect. it also works well for vegetables that are small, thin or difficult to manage.

6. let your meat “rest” before serving

Many meats can be enhanced when you let them “rest” before serving. Instead of cutting into a steak immediately after it comes off the grill, set it on a plate, cover it with foil, and let it sit for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to flow back through the meat.

7. clean and oil your grill

Properly clean your grill grates. Then, when you are done, brush with oil. This can help prevent sticking down the road, and keep your grill in tip-top condition.

8. Be prepared for emergencies

Grilling can get out of control quickly. have a properly maintained fire extinguisher on hand. at the very least, have a bucket of sand ready, or some banking soda close by, to put out a fire.

So there you have it. Follow these tips and your summer barbecues and grills would be better and more enjoyable. we are always looking for more tips to add to this list, so if you have some let’s hear it.

Tagged as: barbecue, food, grilling, life, summer

8 Tips for Better Grilling

(I-Newswire) may 25, 2010 - If past Memorial Day celebrations are any indication of this Memorial Day 2010 weekend, families will be heading to the store to buy charcoal, or filling up their propane tanks and cleaning their gas grills.

But before you make that trip to the store for your barbeque supplies, make sure to take a minute to plan ahead for your event.

Whether you plan on serving American-Southern style barbecue or Kansas City-style bbq, your next party will be a outdoor cooking extravaganza if you'll take the time to carefully plan for everything you need.

Barbecue grills need attention, especially if this weekend will be the first time you fire up the grill this season. whether you will be cooking and serving beef, pork, grilled chicken, turkey, or any other bbq food, it's important to make sure you take the time to thoroughly clean your gas or electric grill before cooking foods, smothered in bbq sauce and simmered to that delicious smoky flavor.

The USDA food safety handouts advise you to be careful not to cross contaminate your meat when placing steaks, chicken, or pork onto your grill. always make sure to cook the meat to the proper temperature.

After all, nobody wants to come for entertainment, and have to leave friends after dinner because of becoming ill from food served. Also, make sure to clean the grill parts before placing meat onto the cooking surface, and allow the charcoal grill or propane grill to heat up to kill any germs left behind.

Now that you're ready to capture all the flavors in your bbq gas grill, it's time to check for all the ingredients you'll need to serve up that delicious bowl of chicken salad or potato salad. You'll want to take a minute to head to the kitchen and dig out your favorite recipes from the recipe box.

Finally, you'll want to double check you have the foods and meats you need for any appetizers or side dishes you plan to serve to your guests with the bbq, including with any paper plates, Styrofoam cups, and any other condiments you'll need to turn your backyard into a "home style restaurant". Of course, if you

forget anything that you'll need for the menu, you can always have your family and friends pick it up really quick before coming over to the party.

Memorial Day weekend 2010 is a great time for bbq grilling, slow cooking your meat in zesty barbecue sauce over that homemade fire pit, and if you live in the South, sitting around the smoker with friends, drinking an ice cold glass of sweet tea.

Come next weekend, everyone will be giving rave reviews about the best bbq event of the season.

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BBQ - Memorial Day BBQ Party For Grilling Steaks & Baby Back Ribs

But if you are planning on buying a new grill for your garden or patio, then you should know the two types of barbecue grills. The two major categories to choose from are charcoal BBQs and gas grills. as always there are pros and cons for each type. to help you with your decision, here are some tips on choosing a BBQ grill that will suit your family’s needs and result in great-tasting meals.

Charcoal Barbecue Grills

Charcoal barbecue grills have probably the longest history of use and the immediate benefit of being a socially-acceptable way to play with fire. Another good thing about charcoal grill is that charcoal gives you some degree of control over the heat. You can have the grill burn very hot to let you cook food faster or you can also allow the coals to die down for a gentle heat. You also have the choice to add wood chips to subtly influence the flavor of your meals and you can smoke meats and vegetables. Charcoal barbecue grills come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, many of which are portable and easy to store.

Amidst the advantages, charcoal barbecue grills still have their disadvantages. One of which is that grilling over charcoal takes some time and experience to get the fire burning properly. Charcoal grills are also messier to clean up when you’re done. it can be a bit difficult to keep a regular temperature over long periods of time and the coals need to be watched and stoked from time to time to keep them hot.

Gas barbecue grills as its name would suggest, uses a propane tank or a direct connection to your home’s gas line for fuel. they are relatively easy to use. You can turn it on with the touch of a button and maintaining constant heat for hours at a time.

These grills however are usually quite large and bulky. Those most models come with a hood and cover for outdoor storage; it is still a good idea to find room for them in a garage or other sheltered area.

However, most grill aficionados steer away from gas grills because there is always some loss of flavor when the charcoal and flames are removed. they are also mostly not portable, meaning that you can’t pack them in the car and take them with your trips to the beach or to a friend’s house. Gas grills are a better choice when you want the flavor of a grill without the time expenditure of firing up the charcoal. Also there is a lesser chance of burning or under cooking food on a gas grill.

Each type of grill has its appeal and many households purchase one of each type to suit a particular need. Once you weigh the pro’s and cons of each type of grill, you can start grilling your very own recipes and share it with your friends and family.

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