Summer Time Grilling – Backyard Barbecue Party

 

I always look forward to the warmer months. My mom used to describe the cooped-up feeling of winter as “cabin fever.”

Now, spring – almost summer – has arrived here in the Northeast – and what could be more fun (yes – fun!) than grilling out? It’s grilling out with friends.

Hosting your own backyard barbecue and inviting all your buddies over for a tasty meal and some backyard fun could not be easier.

Here are some tips to get the party started right.

The number one complaint I have about throwing a barbecue party is that I [the cook] do more cooking than enjoying my company. Has this been your experience also?

So, keeping in the line of “simple”, what are some things you can you do to avoid ignoring your guests and still put on a delicious spread?

If you are going to have a barbecue get-together, planning ahead is essential. Planning ahead will make your party easy on the guests and also on you – the host.

First you need to decide as early as the week before as to what you will be serving.

Make two lists: (1) a menu list; and (2) a shopping list

I always make a menu list. This goes a long way to helping you organize your food preparations. It also helps when you sit down to make your shopping list. Making these lists will help you to avoid running to the supermarket to pick up forgotten items.

Also, if your menu includes a dish that requires a recipe, dig the recipe out now and add any ingredients you may need to your shopping list.

As the day draws near for your outdoor get-together, you can begin preparing your food the evening before.

Appetizers or finger foods of some sort allow your guests to munch while they wait for the main course to finish on the grill – so it’s a good idea to prepare some appetizers before your guests arrive. They should be small especially if you plan on serving a variety of grilled meats and vegetables.

A veggie platter or fruit tray along with some low-calorie dip is usually a favorite at a barbeque get-together. Many supermarkets offered these platters ready for your to open and serve. These appetizer trays have no preservatives so it’s okay to buy them pre-packaged from the store.

However, it’s easy to make your own. Wash and cut up your vegetables or fruits, wrap or place in covered containers in the refrigerator the evening before or even the morning of your cookout. If you’re making your own dips, combining the ingredients ahead of time will usually help make them more flavorful.

Punch is a good idea for a party where there will be children as well as grown ups. If the punch is meant to be sparkling (by adding soda), chill the punch first without the soda and add it just before the guests arrive. That way, the punch won’t lose it’s kick while in the fridge.

Side dishes and cold salads can also be prepared the evening before. You can also prepare them at least an hour or two before the party. This cuts down on the work of the host and hostess. You can sit with your friends and await the goodies from the grill. Better still, everyone can watch the grill master at work and nibble on appetizers.

If your meat is frozen, you should take it out and place in your refrigerator the night before your barbecue.

Now, the “day” has come. You’ve prepared your food… you have enough seating for your friends… Now, you’re ready to grill!

 

If your guests were told to bring their appetites, you may want to eliminate grilled chicken from the menu. Chicken takes a long time to cook depending on the parts of the bird you are grilling.

 

However, if you really want chicken, we always bake up some garlic chicken wings, which can be served hot, warm and even cold. This, too, can be prepared ahead of time. You can also pre-bake your chicken before grilling to reduce cooking time.

 

Remember to always preheat the grill. When people come in and see smoke rising from the grill they expect that you have already put food on it. Don’t surprise them with the smell of smoldering charcoal. Forty-five minutes before the party, start the gas or charcoal grill so that the coals get hot and are ready for grilling once the guests arrive.

 

Your backyard barbecue should flow smoothly when you take the time to prepare. When the work is done early, the fun can begin as soon as the guests arrive.

 

Yes, keep your barbecue as simple as you can. The whole idea here is for YOU to have fun – and doing as much as you can ahead of time will help add to your enjoyment.