Recipes

Taste The Flavor Of Summer With BBQ Food For All The Family

Hosting a summer BBQ is undoubtedly the greatest form of home luxury imaginable. It’s something we all look forward to when the warmer months arrive and is something that can be enjoyed by everyone from one to 100. To become the host with the most, it’s vital that you perfect the other aspects connecting to holding a summer shindig. Ultimately, though, the fun and games should play a supporting role. Great food cooked on an electric smoker will always be the crucial factor that turns a great summer BBQ into an unforgettable one. As such, getting this aspect right has to be at the top of the agenda.

 Here’s everything you need to know about satisfying the needs of all your guests.

  Be Safe Rather Than Sorry

 Every host wants their BBQ to be an unforgettable experience. However, you don’t want them to remember it for the wrong reasons. Taste is important for any BBQ recipe, and choosing good cuts of meat is essential for achieving optimum results. Having said that, knowing that the food is safe to eat should always be the primary concern.   

 BBQs are known to be the most dangerous form of cooking, at least in terms of undercooking. Steaks and other cuts offer a lot of versatility as you can serve them from anywhere between rare and well done. When it comes to chicken, sausages, and burgers, knowing that they are well cooked is crucial. Any doubts will ruin some of the enjoyment, even if there isn’t a problem.

If you’re unsure, always cook for the extra minute. Of course, you don’t want to cremate the food until it’s bland. But you’re not going to ruin the taste with an extra 60 seconds. As they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Do not forget it.

 Don’t Think Just About Meat

 Of course, the meat will play a central role in the BBQ food aspects. However, not all of your guests will be big meat eaters. In fact, some may be vegetarian or vegan. As such, you must ensure that you have catered for all. It is worth asking guests for dietary needs when making those initial plans. Even if there aren’t any, it’s always worth providing those additional options.

 Salads are the perfect companion for most meat dishes. This Mediterranean Greek salad at https://www.allrecipes.com is a particularly great option. It’s simple but offers more than your basic green leaf salad. However, providing two or three options is probably the best solution.

 Meanwhile, a homemade slaw is pretty easy to make. All you need is cabbage, carrot, red onion, and a good mayonnaise with a little pepper for taste. Couple this with an equally simple potato salad and even the guests that don’t eat too much meat can stock up. As for the vegetarians and vegans, plenty of meat-free alternatives are available too.

 Go Beyond The Basics

 Getting those staple BBQ recipes right is a great starting point. For a truly memorable event, though, you should be prepared to create special meals that you wouldn’t necessarily get at your average garden BBQ. Not only is it another standout memory for guests, but it can also open them to new cuisines.

You could inject a little Mexican flavor with fajitas, which are a great addition for kebab skewers. Crab meat rolls can be another winning selection that provides something a little different to the average hotdog. Either way, the right breads are essential. You can find an array of solutions at https://www.snacksuniverse.com. It’s far easier than making your own, and gives you more of a chance to focus on the key elements of each recipe.

 In truth, it’s probably best to stay safe by providing those BBQ mainstays too. Still, by going the extra mile doing something a little different from the norm, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

 Consider The Calories

 BBQs are a great chance to let your hair down and throw diets out of the window. However, you don’t want to consume too many wasted calories, especially as they can leave you feeling lethargic for several days. And even if you’re not overly fussed about calories and body image, you should appreciate the same of the guests will be.

 Those delicious meats and meals will contain calories, and that’s nothing to be worried about. The salads will obviously serve as a good foundation for the health conscious guests. In truth, though, it’s not the meats or carb-loaded pasta dishes that cause the big problems. Dressing and sauces are often the worst culprits. Opt for tomato and vinegar dressings rather than cream ones, and you’ll see a positive impact.   

 For many people, calories won’t be a major concern. Nonetheless, leading a healthy lifestyle is still important and a few smarter decisions can make this cheat day feel far less damaging. Apart from anything else, it’ll reduce the threat of vomiting. That in itself surely vindicates those efforts.

 Think About Yourself

 Throughout your BBQ activities, you’ll be thinking about the needs of your guests. However, you should remember that there is a huge responsibility to keep yourself smiling too. Not only do you deserve it, but guests will also pick up on whether you’re happy. Frankly, your unhappiness could ruin the whole atmosphere.

 It’s understandable that financial elements will be a concern. After all, you don’t want one day of fun to cost a small fortune. Cutting unnecessary costs will ensure that you still have enough funds for great meats and ingredients. Visit https://www.grilling24x7.com to ensure you aren’t using too much charcoal. Couple this with creating your own BBQ rubs, and you’ll be sure to keep financial waste to a minimum. Crucially, though, you must avoid the temptation to cook food for twice as many guests as you have invited.

You can make things a little simpler by preparing certain elements in advance. That’ll give you more time to enjoy time with loved ones throughout the day. Remember to keep the BBQ stove close enough for communication, and you should be just fine.

 Create Drinks For Everyone

 Drinks are almost as important as the food itself. Not only does it keep guests hydrated in the sun, but those refreshing tastes can make the meal come to life too. Some adults will probably want to drink alcohol, which is fine. In addition to a few beers, you may wish to team up meals with wine. As a rule of thumb, white wine goes well with white meats while red is best paired with dark meats.    

 Not all guests will want to drink, though. This could be due to the fact they are driving, don’t like the taste, or are too young. Catering for non-drinkers as well as children can feel difficult, especially as sodas and water don’t always do the trick. These mocktail recipes can allow them to join in with the fun without drinking alcohol. Frankly, they’re a refreshing break for the alcohol drinkers too.

Find the right drinks for your party, and the whole event will be on another level. Given that this is the easiest aspect to perfect, you’d be a fool to miss out.   

  Don’t Forget Dessert

 One of the great thing about the summer BBQ is that the fun can last all day long and well into the evening hours. There’s a strong chance that guests will feel stuffed after they’ve finished eating their main meals. Give it a few hours, though, and there’s every chance that they’ll be ready to tuck into some desserts. Quite frankly, an event isn’t complete unless it has those sweets.   

There’s nothing wrong with store bought desserts. Alternatively, you may wish to prepare one or two options the night before your event. However, it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunities posed by having a BBQ. Visit https://www.buzzfeed.com for a selection of delicious desserts that can be cooked on the BBQ. Ultimately, they are the types of last courses that you’re unlikely to enjoy at any other time. This ensures that they will be remembered by everyone.

It’s the perfect way to maintain the fun and enjoyment for many hours and helps pace the event too. Above all else, it’s the course that can make or break the opinions of your guests. It’s important not to put pressure on yourself in front of friends and family. Still, knowing that you’ve satisfied their appetites is very rewarding indeed.   

 The Verdict:

 Ultimately, your BBQ is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great food and spend valuable time with your nearest and dearest. To enjoy the perfect balance, you should look to embrace a combination of tried and tested favorites along with some new ideas. If you can do this in an approach that doesn’t cost a fortune and still allows you to interact with guests, you’ll be just fine.   

 And once you’ve perfected it once, you can arrange similar events for years to come. What more could any food-loving family person want from their summer?