Related : | Barbecue Tools | |Buy Barbecue Accessories| - Rotisserie Basket - BBQ Tips for All Holiday
See Also : | Barbecue Tools | |Buy Barbecue Accessories| | Buy Portable Gas Barbecue Grill | BBQ Tips for All Holiday
Related : | Barbecue Tools | - Rotisserie Basket - BBQ Tips for All Holiday
Image : http://www.flickr.com
It doesn't have to cost you a lot of money to make your barbecue memorable. Remember -- most people expect burgers and potato salad. So any different food is good. And if you follow our cheap barbecue party ideas you can impress your guests for not a lot of money.
First off I must state that there is absolutely nothing at all wrong with burgers and potato salad. I love them both and all weekend griller's bbq parties should have a good selection of these and other basics. But just a few other cheap barbecue party food ideas during planning can save your food -- and your parties -- from boring repetition.
Here are five cheap and easy food ideas you can try immediately to make you next bbq party memorable and fun:
1) One word -- Condiments! Everyone has mustard and ketchup. Occasionally you see a lonely bottle of Frank's. But for very little money or effort you can add a rainbow of taste to your table and impress your guests. Visit a specialty store or good supermarket and pick up some bottles of unusual bbq sauces or hot sauces for the table. Do not just paint the meat on the grill -- give your guests a choice on the table. Today's BBQ and hot sauces come in a wide variety of flavors and heat levels and there is something for (almost) everyone. Consider the food you are serving and other sauces that may complement it. If you are serving chicken consider a white BBQ sauce or horseradish sauce. If you are serving fish consider a sweet Barbeque sauce or a Vietnamese or Japanese fish sauce.
2) Salsa -- Not just for corn chips anymore! Several years ago salsa took over the number-one-selling condiment spot in the US from ketchup but most people still think of it as just a dip for chips or a covering for Mexican foods. Salsa is -- and can be -- so much more. Consider visiting a Farmers' Market or specialty food store the morning of the barbecue and picking up a fresh salsa. Or better still,yet spend a little time the night before the party and make a batch of homemade salsa. It's really very easy. And don't just stick to the basic tomato/pepper salsa -- be brave and try a fruit or a veggie based salsa. Choose your salsa based on the meat and vegetables you will be serving and invite your guests to cover these foods for a new taste experience.
3) It's almost embarrassing how much good will and praise can be produced by a simple salad. As cheap BBQ party ideas go, this is one of the best. Everyone does potato and macaroni salad. Ask your friends to bring a dish and you'll probably get 3 of each. You can impress everyone to no end by making up a colorful and easy pasta or fruit salad that not only looks great but tastes great, too. Add some items off the grill into it at the last moment for an unforgettable touch.
4) Sides -- Go beyond the salad! So you've brought your impressive (though cheap) salad. But now think beyond to other side dishes. What springs to mind? If you are like most people - corn on the cob comes to mind. There is nothing wrong this. But to really impress your guests think of adding one or two other unusual sides that will complement the main course. And remember that sides don't have to be just veggies. Think of the possibilities of fruits, shellfish and even meats.
5) Desserts - Why not use the fire? Okay, you gotta have a dessert. You'll probably want something cold (homemade ice cream, maybe?) and some sweets for the kids. But since the fire is still warm why not consider really impressing your friends by making an additional dessert or two on the grill. Make homemade ice cream (always a reasonably cheap choice) AND grilled dessert to go with it and you will be considered a party god for many years.
Since most BBQ parties feature the same basic foods, these cheap party food ideas will help any weekend griller to impress their guests. Do it well and your friends will invite you to every party and beg for an invitation to yours.
Tags : | Barbecue Tools | BBQ Tips for All Holiday - Rotisserie Basket -
Related : | Barbecue Tools | | Grill Basket Article | BBQ Tips for All Holiday
Image : http://www.flickr.com
Choose leaner cuts of meat -
Choose fish instead of red meat and remove the skin from chicken before grilling if you want to reduce the amount of fat you're eating. If you are stuck on red meat then fillet, sirloin, top round and flank steaks are naturally the leanest cuts. Game meats such as venison are also a good alternative to red meat, they're just as tasty but contain much less fat.
Use a marinade -
grilling at high temperatures can cause carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) to form on the meat if it is well done. Using a marinade that contains lemon, honey, garlic or onions which are all antioxidants will slow the formation of HCAs. The best thing to do is always keep an eye on your food while it's on the barbecue and constant baste the food to keep it moist and stops it burning and producing carcinogens, not to mention your meat will be much nicer once it is done!
Make sure you don't overcook -
It is essential that you don't burn your food not just because it won't taste as good but because burnt meat produces carcinogens as we mentioned above. Once meat hits 212 degrees these compounds begin to form so try use a meat thermometer where possible. Beef is cooked once the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees and chicken at 170 degrees. Another tip is to precook everything in the oven then just use the barbecue to quickly char grill the outside quickly.
Keep an eye on temperature as well as the food -
If you're using a gas barbecue then make sure you use a moderate heat so as not to cook the food too quickly or you risk burning the outside and not cooking it all the way through. The same applies for charcoal barbecues as well but use your hand to test the heat by holding it about 5 inches above the grill. Count the number of seconds your able to hold it there for; if you can hold it for five to seven seconds then this suggests a medium heat ideal for cooking.
Tags : |Buy Barbecue Accessories| | Barbecue Tools | | Buy Portable Gas Barbecue Grill | BBQ Tips for All Holiday - Rotisserie Basket -
This is a heavy duty cover that fits the Summit 600 series of grills. I shopped the web and local stores. The first problem is finding a cover to fit these large grills, even the extra large covers at the local barbecue stores weren't large enough. This cover fits perfectly, which is what you would expect, and has large velcro straps on either side which tighten under the side shelves to hold down the cover in strong winds. I didn't buy this when I purchased the grill, although I saw some other reviews recommend getting the cover. For what the grill costs this cover is a "MUST".
Friends Link : |Buy Barbecue Accessories| BBQ Tips for All Holiday Portable gas barbecue grill