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Original poster

Please critique my first ever bbq menu

283 replies

Liud · 14/04/2025 11:58

Hosting my first bbq this weekend in my first home.
Sadly the weather looks a little iffy but we’ll have a laugh regardless.

This is my menu. We have a few vegetarians. I think it’s a very easy menu as I can give dh the skewers I’ve premarinated. And the rest can be prepared in advance.

The only thing that really requires effort is the focaccia (I don’t love making bread but I love the recipe).

Its probably a bit carb heavy but I’ve done it that way with the vegetarians in mind.

Pasta salad
Homemade focaccia
Greek salad
Bombay new potatoes (dishoom recipe)
Butter herb new potatoes (for ppl who don’t like coriander)
Halloumi skewers
Veg skewers
Tandoori style chicken skewers (tastes better than takeaways imo)
Mint lamb kofte
Corn on the cob

Homemade mint chutney
tamarind sauce
Mango chutney

Crisps and shop bought dips
Nuts

Key lime pie
Profiteroles

Wine
Beer

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 14/04/2025 20:00

Ditch the corn. Everything else sounds heavenly.

ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter · 14/04/2025 19:59

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:54

Or a sausage, but, let's face it, just sausages and burgers at a barbecue are pretty boring.

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I think if op knows her audience she doesn't need this thread. If she doesn't than there needs to be a middle ground. I don't care what cuisine it is, there's always somebody fussy, or maybe some intolerances. I think there's room to keep her menu while also catering for them, for example plain skewers with dips as well as the marinated etc. Some small changes could work, and will mean everybody can enjoy the delicious food.

whippy1981 · 14/04/2025 19:59

ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter · 14/04/2025 19:52

It isn't either/or. You can be be widely cultured, and still enjoy a burger, as well as a vast variety of other foods.

Edited
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Doesn't have to be a vast array for me. Don't have to be widely cultured either. Just regular food cooked well.

EilishMcCandlish · 14/04/2025 19:56

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:32

Well, if I turned up to just burgers and sausages, my heart would sink to my boots, and I'd be walking away hungry.

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Oh dear. Let me spell it out a bit more clearly. You can have all of the tandoori chicken and other options. The menu is not complete without burgers and sausages in my opinion. If you walk away because those options are available, more fool you.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:54

ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter · 14/04/2025 19:52

It isn't either/or. You can be be widely cultured, and still enjoy a burger, as well as a vast variety of other foods.

Edited
Show quote history

Or a sausage, but, let's face it, just sausages and burgers at a barbecue are pretty boring.

ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter · 14/04/2025 19:52

whippy1981 · 14/04/2025 19:43

My too but I have been brought up on braais not BBQs so spoilt by the range I've experienced.

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It isn't either/or. You can be be widely cultured, and still enjoy a burger, as well as a vast variety of other foods.

doodleschnoodle · 14/04/2025 19:46

Tbh this is why I think barbecues work best as a communal thing. In our circle, the host generally provides some stuff but everyone just brings meat and sides and drinks along, so there ends up being a big selection and everyone has something they like, no one is walking sadly away because they were confronted with a burger, no one is appalled by a kofta.

whippy1981 · 14/04/2025 19:43

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:32

Well, if I turned up to just burgers and sausages, my heart would sink to my boots, and I'd be walking away hungry.

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My too but I have been brought up on braais not BBQs so spoilt by the range I've experienced.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:42

whippy1981 · 14/04/2025 19:40

Looks really nice. I would say it looks way better than the usual burger and sausage option which tend to be pretty lame.

But will appeal to people who have unadventurous tastes ie most of the posters on this thread.

whippy1981 · 14/04/2025 19:40

Looks really nice. I would say it looks way better than the usual burger and sausage option which tend to be pretty lame.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:40

doodleschnoodle · 14/04/2025 19:37

I love when these threads degenerate into people personally offended by someone’s choice of meat Grin BBQ bingo right here, just ticked off ‘foreign muck’ so think that’s almost a full card.

Also very much enjoying the various implications that serving some meat on a stick puts you on a higher cultural plane than serving meat in the shape of a burger or a sausage.

Where do those of us who enjoy a kofta but also like a blackened sausage stand? And if I want a burger, am I disqualified from eating any of the tandoori chicken on a stick? If I put my burger on a stick, will I be accepted?

I love koftas and overdone sausages. I'm not fussed about burgers though.

ChangeisntalwaysfortheBetter · 14/04/2025 19:38

Hoppinggreen · 14/04/2025 19:25

Agree, I would hate to eat that sort of thing in any environment.
Presumably OP knows the tastes of the invitees

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If op knows the tastes of all of her guests, than why the thread? I think alot of people have assumed she didn't know.

doodleschnoodle · 14/04/2025 19:37

I love when these threads degenerate into people personally offended by someone’s choice of meat Grin BBQ bingo right here, just ticked off ‘foreign muck’ so think that’s almost a full card.

Also very much enjoying the various implications that serving some meat on a stick puts you on a higher cultural plane than serving meat in the shape of a burger or a sausage.

Where do those of us who enjoy a kofta but also like a blackened sausage stand? And if I want a burger, am I disqualified from eating any of the tandoori chicken on a stick? If I put my burger on a stick, will I be accepted?

Sunholidays · 14/04/2025 19:36

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:32

Well, if I turned up to just burgers and sausages, my heart would sink to my boots, and I'd be walking away hungry.

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You can always stop at a MacDonalds on the way home

MorrisZapp · 14/04/2025 19:36

Liud · 14/04/2025 14:46

I think it’s strange how people think there’s only one way to do a barbecue - ie sausages, burgers, coleslaw, jackets

The world is a big place with lots of different ideas!

I'm not knocking that kind of barbecue I do that regularly

Bit weird to ask for advice then 🤣

WimbyAce · 14/04/2025 19:34

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:20

Auto correct - forcing muck is forrin muck.

I liked forcing muck 😅 Agreed though if her friends like it then all good. I was just saying from a fussy person's point of view we would like some plain meat.

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:32

EilishMcCandlish · 14/04/2025 19:27

Assume away. You would be wrong in my case. Have never bought Richmond sausages, frozen burgers or Warburtons buns. I wouldn't judge those who do though, as everyone has to cut their cloth according to their budget.

While OP's menu sounds lovely, I love a proper homemade burger, butcher's sausages and rolls from my local bakery and these simple options 'make' a barbecue for me, in a way that tandoori chicken never will.

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Well, if I turned up to just burgers and sausages, my heart would sink to my boots, and I'd be walking away hungry.

Sunholidays · 14/04/2025 19:31

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:20

In my experience, people who serve majority burgers and sausages on the bbq aren't making homemade burgers and excellent sausages. More likely to be pink Richmonds and frozen burgers shoved in a white Warburtons bun, and it tends to be quantity over quality. I'd still prefer OPs menu over burgers and sausages, however good quality they were.

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Sorry to hear that. My experience is different, luckily. My friends like good burgers and are quite happy to make an effort with them. Same with pork sausages.

For what's worth, I have had disgusting skewers and tough, almost inedible lamb in BBQs, admittedly in pub gardens where they are cooking for lots of people.

EilishMcCandlish · 14/04/2025 19:27

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:20

In my experience, people who serve majority burgers and sausages on the bbq aren't making homemade burgers and excellent sausages. More likely to be pink Richmonds and frozen burgers shoved in a white Warburtons bun, and it tends to be quantity over quality. I'd still prefer OPs menu over burgers and sausages, however good quality they were.

Show quote history

Assume away. You would be wrong in my case. Have never bought Richmond sausages, frozen burgers or Warburtons buns. I wouldn't judge those who do though, as everyone has to cut their cloth according to their budget.

While OP's menu sounds lovely, I love a proper homemade burger, butcher's sausages and rolls from my local bakery and these simple options 'make' a barbecue for me, in a way that tandoori chicken never will.

Hoppinggreen · 14/04/2025 19:25

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:20

In my experience, people who serve majority burgers and sausages on the bbq aren't making homemade burgers and excellent sausages. More likely to be pink Richmonds and frozen burgers shoved in a white Warburtons bun, and it tends to be quantity over quality. I'd still prefer OPs menu over burgers and sausages, however good quality they were.

Show quote history

Agree, I would hate to eat that sort of thing in any environment.
Presumably OP knows the tastes of the invitees

NeilDiamondsBlowDry · 14/04/2025 19:22

@TheCountofMountingCrispBags
’potato police’ 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Please critique my first ever bbq menu
kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:20

godmum56 · 14/04/2025 19:12

why are home made burgers and excellent sausages UPF muck?

Show quote history

In my experience, people who serve majority burgers and sausages on the bbq aren't making homemade burgers and excellent sausages. More likely to be pink Richmonds and frozen burgers shoved in a white Warburtons bun, and it tends to be quantity over quality. I'd still prefer OPs menu over burgers and sausages, however good quality they were.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:20

Auto correct - forcing muck is forrin muck.

RampantIvy · 14/04/2025 19:13

WimbyAce · 14/04/2025 18:18

I guess it depends who you are inviting. If I was coming I'd think even though I'm fussy would be safe at a bbq for options but there's not much I would eat there. You need to offer some kind of burger or sausage for any fussy eaters.

Maybe her friends aren't fussy eaters. Mine aren't. My friends would feel pretty disappointed if I only did sausages and burgers at a barbecue

They have more sophisticated palates than people who only eat children's food sausages and burgers.

You do need some normal meat

Why?
Lamb and chicken are normal meat. Just because you don't like "forcing muck" doesn't mean the OP' friends don't. I think her menu sounds great.

godmum56 · 14/04/2025 19:12

kitchenplans · 14/04/2025 19:02

Op, I think your menu sounds nice, and I'd actively enjoy eating it. I don't enjoy BBQs that are just cheap burgers and sausages served in pappy white bread. I'm quite surprised how many on here want UPF muck rather than a properly seasoned variety of delicious home made foods.

why are home made burgers and excellent sausages UPF muck?