Hamburgers and hotdogs. Been there and done that.
You want to make food that people will really enjoy. Give your friends and family a reason to pick your barbeque over all of the other 4th of July feasts taking place this weekend. But how can you put a unique flair on such a traditional day?
First Course
Every party needs finger foods – something for your guests to pick at while the main course is being prepared. But try to avoid serving chips and dip. You might as well just yell out, “I am boring and have no imagination!”
So here are a few, more imaginative ideas (try to spread out the snacks to keep people moving):
Kitchen: Sweet and Sour Meatballs in a crock-pot! Serve with small plates, napkins and toothpicks.
Living room: Build your own nachos. Include: Sour cream, Salsa, chopped olives, onions, guacamole, hot and mild and a good brand of tortilla chips. Add plenty of napkins and study paper plates to avoid spills.
Bar and Pool area: Since the majority of drinks are served in this area serve cheese flavored popcorn, and peanuts in their shells. This area should be spill and litter safe.
Dining Room Table: Selection of hard cheese and soft cheese spreads, grapes, pineapple wedges, melon balls and crackers.
Main Course
Make kabobs of chicken meat, onion, tomato and pepper for guests that aren’t into ribs. Place these on stick the day before the party and let marinate in your favorite sauce until party time. Required cooking time is only about 30 minutes. Cook the chicken after the ribs.
Sides
Place corn on the cob (in their hulls, but cleaned of silks) on the grill for 30 minutes.
Rice Salad:
Recipe: Cook your rice the day before the party. Add scallions, can mushrooms, red peppers, green olives and mayo to hold it all together. Hint: for a great leftover idea add frozen shrimp to the rice salad the next day!
Stuffed mushrooms:
Recipe: remove stem from cleaned mushrooms. Chop stems and sauté in 1 tab butter with chopped onion and green pepper. Remove from heat. Add breadcrumbs and mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper until mixture holds together. Fill mushroom caps with mixture, and bake at 350 degrees until juicy. Can be made ahead of time and just popped in the oven when guest arrive. Keep extra in the oven they stay warm and fresh for hours.
Pasta Salad (vegetarian dish):
Recipe: Tri-colored spiral pasta (wheat for fanatics) cooked but not mush! Onions, chopped tomatoes, marinated Artichoke hearts chopped, and Wishbone Italian dressing. Top with Parmesan cheese and refrigerate overnight
And of course, don’t forget the dessert. Have fun with it. Perhaps bake a red, white and blue cake? It is both patriotic and delicious.
If you have any questions, contact Hercules Fence by calling (800) TU FENCE or click here today!
