Ready for summer? Dying to fire up the barbecue? This Fourth of July, have some fun with quick and easy, cook-free dipping sauces, marinades and sides. Known for her fast and fabulous quickies under five minutes, Joan Vogel, aka “The Shopping Cart Chef” offers up a few “assemblies” that require little fuss for a backyard hoedown. Check out her debut cookbook, 69 Quickies in the Kitchen, for more gourmet fixes.

Black Lacquer BBQ Sauce
Mix:
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
 1 teaspoon instant coffee, dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water
3 shakes cayenne pepper

Firecracker BBQ Sauce
Mix:
2/3 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Tequila Lime Salsa
Mix:
1/2 cup jarred green salsa, drained (you pick your heat)
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons ready chopped red or white onion
2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon tequila (optional)

Top It Off With Some Slaw. Plain old coleslaw isn’t for everybody. But if you add a few ingredients to ready-made broccoli slaw, it transforms into a sassy gourmet side dish. Make the emerald sauce beforehand and toss with the coleslaw just before serving so it’s crispy and fresh. This is ideal with lamb or cold-poached fish. You can also top cream cheese and crushed walnuts with the Emerald sauce.

Wasabi Coleslaw
Buy 3 bags ready-made broccoli coleslaw and mix with:
Emerald Sauce
1/2 cup equal parts jalapeno jelly and mint jelly
1/2 teaspoon wasabi mustard (need more heat? Add more mustard)
1 tablespoon equal parts minced cilantro, green onion and mint
Top with:
1 cup glazed walnuts

Tip: Shot Glasses Aren’t Just for Tequila. Sure, they make for a fun party (and hangover), but they also make for a perfect presentation and serving for make-your-own salsas for summertime fun. Serve up sauces and dressings in chic shot glasses for party guests. Either of these sauces goes great as a marinade or dipping sauce for chicken, carnitas or ribs.

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