THE SUMMER BARBECUE
Aside from baseball and apple pie, there are few things more all-American than barbecuing. Summer is here and with summer comes barbecue season. What better time is there to invite your friends over, and throw some steaks on the barbie?
When planning a barbecue, a couple things must be taken into consideration. Keep in mind where people will sit when they eat, and what you will serve.
FOOD
It’s always a good idea to have hot dogs/ hamburgers or related munchies available for children who are attending the barbecue. Adults may appreciate leaning more towards more expensive fare, such as a steak.
Hamburgers are always a winner, with a side dish of potato salad, or a nice Caesar or garden salad. You could not go wrong with corn. Fresh corn on the cob can be cooked straight on the barbecue. Just wrap it in tin foil.
Almost any vegetable can be cooked on the barbecue. Take a little oil, some seasoning, wrap it all in tin foil, throw it on the grill, and you have a tasty treat. Be sure to keep in mind dietary considerations when preparing your meal. Ask guests ahead of time if there is something they are allergic too or are not allowed to have in their diet. Note: Some barbeque sauces may contain nuts in them, so be aware of any allergies.
Once you’ve decided what you want to serve, figure out how much you need. Generally, one piece of steak per person should do it. In the case of serving hamburgers, it’s always a good idea to assume everyone will eat two hamburgers, that way if someone only eats one, then someone else could have three. Having the appropriate toppings is very important. Be creative with your steak. Sautee mushrooms with onions and have guests drizzle on some sauce. For a zesty seasoning, combine lemon juice, garlic, mint and olive oil in your blender to create and baste your steaks with it.
Toppings for burgers are easy. There’s the obvious ketchup and mustard, but it’s also a good idea to have fresh toppings available such as onion, tomatoes lettuce and bean sprouts. Different types of relish are always a winner too. Don’t be afraid to mix up your traditional condiments with something different. Tired of the same old ketchup? Substitute for hot sauce or salsa! Mustard a little too sour? Opt for Honey Dijon!
ACTIVITIES
Once you have decided what to cook and what type of salads or vegetables to serve, you could then ponder what sort of activities you will have, because not everyone has a pool.
A popular lawn game is Croquet, which can be purchased at your local department store. Croquet is a fairly simple game, and one can always bend the rules to fit the time or place. Just don’t go making up rules to different games, let the rules be known at the beginning. You can adjust the rules and give it a clever name, such as naming it after your street or town, which will give people a laugh.
Once the games are decided, you are ready to throw your barbecue. Pick out some friends and call them over. Once they’ve arrived, have plenty of chairs outside for them to sit. Be sure to have your drinks handy, so everyone can have something to wet their whistle.
Depending on the time you start your barbecue, you can either have them play games before, after, or during. Remember, don't’ force your guests to play. If they would rather sit and watch, let them. Barbecues are a time to relax with your friends and family.
When you start cooking, do a head count of the people and how much they would like to eat. You can either set out the food on platters or, just have people come up to the barbecue. When everyone has had his or her fill of food, bring out a simple desert, such as ice cream or watermelon.
Keep a smile on your face, and be the grateful host or hostess, and everyone will have a good time.
For more information or help with your next event,
contact Denise Marquiss in the Event Planning Office at 766-3362.
Barbecue tips found at Function Junction.CA
Visit
outreach.uwyo.edu/eventsplanning
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