Prepare a tasty lunch for all ages and eat it outdoors together while the days are sunny and warm. In this menu, melted cheese sandwiches cut into wedges and semi-homemade tomato soup with chunks of ripe tomatoes from the garden taste fresh and satisfying.

Serve watermelon slices, strawberries and other summer fruits for dessert.

A cupcake or sea-salt-topped brownie makes the meal extra special if there's a birthday in the house or if you crave something so deliciously sweet.

Here are the recipes for the simple soup and sandwich, "comfort foods" you can prepare in minutes with your pint-size chefs.


Makes 4 to 6 servings.

1 can (15.2 ounces) condensed tomato soup

1/2 can (7.6 ounces) orange juice

1/2 can (7.6 ounces) water

1 tomato, chopped.

Fresh basil

To make soup: In saucepan, combine condensed tomato soup, orange juice and water. (Note: Use empty tomato soup can to measure equal parts orange juice and water.) Stir well. Bring to a simmer. Add chopped tomato. Stir. Simmer for 10 minutes.

To serve: Ladle into attractive mugs or small bowls. Garnish with fresh basil. Set on individual plates with melted-cheese sandwiches (recipe follows) and fruit.


Makes 4 to 6 servings.

1 cup reduced-fat four-cheese Mexican shredded cheese

1 to 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise

1 chopped scallion

1 teaspoon thyme (optional)

2 large sandwich rolls or 1 small baguette


To prepare oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make cheese mixture: In small bowl, let child stir together cheese, mayo, scallion and thyme.

To assemble sandwiches: Cut sandwich rolls or baguette in half lengthwise. Lightly butter cut sides. Let child spoon cheese mixture evenly over buttered bread. Set on cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and bread is lightly toasted.

To serve: Cut sandwich into wedges.

Alternate idea: Use your favorite bread instead of sandwich rolls or a baguette. Cut bread slices with biscuit cutters or cookie cutters to make whimsical sandwich shapes. Follow above steps for melted cheese sandwiches.
