For many people, summertime means one thing only: the kickoff of BBQ season. The warm summer weather gives us a chance to take our cooking to the backyard and the perfect reason to invite friends and family to gather together. There seems to be something about grilling food over an open flame that somehow makes everything taste better; plus it's just more fun cooking outside. Here are some simple ideas to make your backyard BBQ one to remember.
One of the most important things to consider in order to ensure your backyard soiree goes off without a hitch is bug control. Nothing turns a festive event into a pest-filled nightmare faster than a swarm of ants or mosquitoes crashing the party. The best defense against mosquitoes is to strategically place several repellent candles and torches in the BBQ proximity. Try to keep food covered as much as possible with plastic wrap or tupperware containers to keep ants away. If you can dedicate a covered area to be your serving area, this will also be a big help in terms of keeping bugs to a minimum.
In terms of menu planning, consider first which beverage options you will be offering to your guests. Although the grill might be getting all the attention during the BBQ, having a nice assortment of beverages available will keep your guests happy, especially on those really hot summer days.
The best thing to do is to have options that will please everyone. For example, provide both a red and white wine option, a few beer choices, and of course have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand. If you are feeling extra adventurous, consider serving up a refreshing mixed drink or frozen cocktail, guaranteed crowd-pleasers, especially during the summertime. It is also a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of ice stocked up; there is nothing worse than running out of ice on a hot, sweltering day.
One of the advantages of the BBQ is the variety of foods that you can prepare with simple ingredients and still get extremely flavorful results. Especially if you are expecting a large group, keep the main entree simple; burgers, hot dogs or sausages and even chicken breasts are generally enjoyed by all. If you want to cater to the veggies in the crowd, consider purchasing a few soy-based grilling items such as veggie patties or tofu dogs.
As your guests begin to arrive and settle in, make sure to have plenty of snacks available for munching and accompanying that first round of drinks. These in no way need to be anything fancy, in fact a few bowls of chips or pretzels and maybe even a fresh vegetable tray with dip will do the trick. Another BBQ favorite that you might want to consider adding to the spread is sliced watermelon. There is nothing that says summer more than a big juicy bite of perfectly ripe watermelon.
Nothing accompanies a BBQ better than all the delicious traditional side dishes such as coleslaw, potato and macaroni salad and baked beans. Whether you decide to buy them pre-made or make them from scratch, these dishes are a must-have for any successful backyard BBQ.
Keep these tips in mind and you will ensure your backyard BBQ to be a hit. Start the season right and don't wait another minute to host your first outdoor gathering of the summer.
One of the most important things to consider in order to ensure your backyard soiree goes off without a hitch is bug control. Nothing turns a festive event into a pest-filled nightmare faster than a swarm of ants or mosquitoes crashing the party. The best defense against mosquitoes is to strategically place several repellent candles and torches in the BBQ proximity. Try to keep food covered as much as possible with plastic wrap or tupperware containers to keep ants away. If you can dedicate a covered area to be your serving area, this will also be a big help in terms of keeping bugs to a minimum.
In terms of menu planning, consider first which beverage options you will be offering to your guests. Although the grill might be getting all the attention during the BBQ, having a nice assortment of beverages available will keep your guests happy, especially on those really hot summer days.
The best thing to do is to have options that will please everyone. For example, provide both a red and white wine option, a few beer choices, and of course have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand. If you are feeling extra adventurous, consider serving up a refreshing mixed drink or frozen cocktail, guaranteed crowd-pleasers, especially during the summertime. It is also a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of ice stocked up; there is nothing worse than running out of ice on a hot, sweltering day.
One of the advantages of the BBQ is the variety of foods that you can prepare with simple ingredients and still get extremely flavorful results. Especially if you are expecting a large group, keep the main entree simple; burgers, hot dogs or sausages and even chicken breasts are generally enjoyed by all. If you want to cater to the veggies in the crowd, consider purchasing a few soy-based grilling items such as veggie patties or tofu dogs.
As your guests begin to arrive and settle in, make sure to have plenty of snacks available for munching and accompanying that first round of drinks. These in no way need to be anything fancy, in fact a few bowls of chips or pretzels and maybe even a fresh vegetable tray with dip will do the trick. Another BBQ favorite that you might want to consider adding to the spread is sliced watermelon. There is nothing that says summer more than a big juicy bite of perfectly ripe watermelon.
Nothing accompanies a BBQ better than all the delicious traditional side dishes such as coleslaw, potato and macaroni salad and baked beans. Whether you decide to buy them pre-made or make them from scratch, these dishes are a must-have for any successful backyard BBQ.
Keep these tips in mind and you will ensure your backyard BBQ to be a hit. Start the season right and don't wait another minute to host your first outdoor gathering of the summer.
About the Author:
Byron Jonas invariably erects shade canopies for his backyard barbecues. There is nothing like instant marquees to remove the burn out of the Australian sun.
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