Ideas for Entertaining Outdoors with Grill Parties & Barbeque

• choose only two or three dishes that require detailed or complex preparation on the day of the event
• Make your other food choices low-effort and easy to prepare
• You can also add dishes that can be prepared several days in advance

• have a nice basket with 'outdoor' napkins in which you can place the utensils to be used.

• If you have a lawn, things such as Croquet or Bocce Ball are entertaining for adults and children.
• If you don't have a lawn, but have some deck or patio space, ping-pong competitions can bring out hidden traits in your guests that you never imagined they had!
• If you have a more staid and conservative group, well chosen appetizers with carefully selected wines or specialty beers will keep a conversation going for hours.

• Purchase high-quality ingredients.
• Don't try new brands.
• Buy foods you already know have excellent flavor.
• Know what fruits and vegetables are in season so you will get outstanding taste.

• Make cocktails serve-yourself and set them up in an area that won't interfere with food preparation or people sitting around chatting.
• Unless you're having a Tappas party, two or three appetizer selections with bread, cucumber dippers or crackers is all you need.
• The main course should consist of three items at most. Even if you can prepare most of the food earlier in the day, everything will need last minute presentation or serving. Don't spend all your energy at the start of the main course.
• Avoid green salads as part of the main course. They are cumbersome to keep fresh and dress at the last minute. Instead, have some cleaned greens prepared in advance and add to each of your serving dishes (including appetizers). Set out a decanter of olive oil and a plate of lemon, lime and/or orange wedges (can be prepared in advance and chilled in the refrigerator) so guests can dress their own greens if desired.
• Desserts for a group are best if they only need serving. Avoid things like Soufflé, Sabayon, Bananas Foster, etc. Grilled fruit is fine if it can be done ahead and served at room temperature or lightly chilled.

Northerner's Barbeque
Appetizer Course

• Smoked Cheese
• Avocado 'Tillas
  Main Course
  
• Beef Brisket
• Baked Potato Salad
• Spicy Green Beans
  Sweet Course
  
• Apple Pie
  
  Southerner's Barbeque
  Appetizer Course
  
• Crab Cakes
• Stuffed Eggs
  Main Course
  
• Barbeque Pork Shoulder
• Smoke Cooked Potatoes
• Sweet Cole Slaw
  Sweet Course
  
• Peach Cobbler with Peach Ice Cream
  
  Seafood Savvy
  Appetizer Course
  
• Mussels in Wine Make ahead
• Giardiniera from a jar (easy and very good)
• Sourdough Baguette or French loaf, sliced
  Main Course
  
• Herbed Salmon
• Grilled Vegetables
  Sweet Course
  
• Fruit and Cheese Plate
• Port Wine or Red Wine such as Merlot or Zinfandel
  
  Mediterranean Feast
  Appetizer Course
  
• Dolmas Make ahead
  
• Hummus with Red Pepper Make ahead
• Cucumber Dippers (English or Persian Cucumbers, sliced about 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal)
• Flatbread or Crackers (optional)
  Main Course
  
• Smoked Leg of Lamb very easy
• Stuffed Tomatoes
• Lemon Basil Couscous
  Sweet Course
  
• Grilled Figs Prepare ahead, and grill when ready to serve
• Dessert Wine
  
  Costa del Sol
  Appetizer Course
  
• Roasted Red Peppers Make ahead
• Cheese: Mahon (spain), Idiazabal (spain), Garottxa (spain) or Chevre (french, american)
• Sourdough Baguette or French loaf, sliced
  Main Course
  
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Grilled Sirloin Steak
• Smokey Baked Potatoes
  Sweet Course
  
• Grilled Fruit chilled, Make ahead
• Sangria Make ahead