It’s the barbecue season so let’s get down to some basics

The barbecue season officially started on Memorial Day. Did you know that one of the handiest tools for marinating meats and vegetables is a large, zipper-type plastic bag?

A plastic bag is great for moving marinated food from the refrigerator to the countertop and then to the grill. It keeps all of the mess contained, and when you’re done, just drain the bag and throw it away.

Another tip for marinades: Use salad dressings, particularly the oil-and-vinegar-based ones, for quick meal preparations. Add ingredients such as herbs, chopped garlic, onions or mustard if you desire.

Here are this week’s coupon savings in barbecue-related items:

•Save 75 cents on any Kraft Carb Well salad dressings with zero-count carbohydrates. Kraft also has a $1 coupon on any two of its regular salad dressings, 16 oz. or larger, and a 55-cent coupon on any Miracle Whip or Real Mayonnaise dressings, 18 oz. or larger. Expires June 6.

•KC Masterpiece offers a 75-cent coupon on any marinade, a $1 coupon on any barbecue seasoning powder or a 55-cent coupon on any barbecue sauce. Expires June 30.

•Ken’s Steak House has a $1 coupon on any two 8-oz. or larger bottles of salad dressing and a $1 coupon on any marinade. Expires July 11.

•Ore-Ida offers a $1 coupon on any of its extra-crispy variety of frozen French fries. Expires June 20.

•Save 55 cents on any jar of Vlasic pickles, peppers or relish. Expires Aug. 15.

•French’s has a 50-cent coupon on any of its specialty mustard or mayonnaise blends. Expires Oct. 31.

•Save 75 cents on any Peter Piper’s pickles or relish, 16 oz. or larger. Expires July 31.