The big food question today is: Just what does it take to bring out your inner chef and completely wow friends and family with a late-summer party of a backyard fall barbecue?

And the answer is: It takes five — five ingredients for each recipe, or sometimes even fewer.

So today’s recipes use just five ingredients or fewer for kicked-up dishes that are perfect for almost any early fall gathering you may be planning. But here’s the very best news — the recipes are both quick and easy. And that’s just the kind of party foods most of us enjoy.

By using your favorite versatile ingredients such as sauces and salsas as marinades, add-ins and toppings, you can cut down on prep time without cutting out the flavor.

And, to my thinking, that means you can take five and relax — and enjoy the party, too.

If you would like more creative recipes and serving suggestions similar to today’s, check out www.pacefoods.com.

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Contact Laurin Stamm at lstamm@vicksburgpost.com