What to take to a BBQ

[Nahhh]

I’ve been invited to a BBQ this weekend, everyone’s been asked to bring a dish. I don’t really know the people who will be there (friend of a friend thing). Can I have some inspiration please?

Can you ask the host?

I think a potato salad would go down nicely, or some kind of dessert?

What do you like eating or like cooking? I’d take a salad or cous cous etc but it’s not clear if you need to take someone to bbq!

Do something a bit different. How about Greek Salad?

I would ask the host.

'Bring a dish' is so vague. She will end up with 10 salads and pastas I imagine !

Mexican layered dip and tortilla crisps

As above, I'd ask so there's not loads of duplicates. I usually take a mozzarella, tomato and basil salad and a tuna pasta thing. Have also made chicken and courgette kebabs from a Jamie Oliver recipe but that can be expensive and very tedious if there is a lot if people to be catered for.

I usually make Nigella's moonblush tomatoes which then go into her Slow roasted Tomato & Goat's cheese salad.

Couple of nice dips and some chopped up pitta/flatbread? Easy to make in advance.

This dip is absolutely delicious, by Sabrina Ghayour (from Persiana I think):

100g pistachios, shelled
75ml olive oil
200g feta cheese
Handful chopped dill
Large bunch of coriander leaves
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 red chilli, chopped
3 tbsp Greek yoghurt
zest 1 lemon, juice of 1/2
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp dukka to garish (optional)

Blend the pistachios and oil in a processor for 30 seconds.
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until you get a smooth but rustic texture. Season to taste
Spoon onto a shallow bowl or plate. Sprinkle with any leftover dill leaves, the dukka and drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil.

Stuff to make S'mores

I’d take fruit kebabs or a plate of cakes. Or perhaps crudités and dip.

I'd take tortilla chips with homemade spicy salsa and guacamole. Jerk chicken to go on the bbq and a key lime pie.

Fruit, brownies, vegetable skewers.

If you don’t know them take a cheesecake, tart or brownies. Or depending on budget/expectations two bottles of Champagne/Prosecco and hand them over as you declare you’re not much of a cook.

There will be a million Greek/potato/Caesar salads. Something that lasts a day or two is preferable.

I'd marinade some chicken thighs in teriyaki sauce or something like that

Bottle of Prosecco and a homemade fruit salad.

Gosh some of your suggestions sound delicious: I’m hungry again now!

I think I may go down the booze route. I did ask the host for any suggestions but she just said “oh, whatever you fancy is fine”.

Can you get to Costco and get a tub of doughnut bites or some of their ready made salads? They do some lovely ones in there and big tubs of them.

Just posted this on another bbq thread but my salad on the summer is water melon, feta, mint and very finely sliced red onion. It just looks so summery!

I went to bbq at the weekend where someone took tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, grated cheese and sour cream. She whacked it together and stuck it under the grill in the house whilst the bbq was cooking and it was devoured.

I always do a Greek rice salad...olives, feta and red onion with a bitnof mint mixed it with some cooked and cooled brown rice.

Just make sure you take a decent bottle of booze with whatever dish you choose

I would take a big tray of marinated pork belly strips, some homemade chimichuri sauce and a cake.

Oh and a bottle of wine obvs

You have to take a bottle of wine regardless.

The food is an extra addition that's been requested.

If you don't want to cook or prepare anything then take a cheese cake, or any summer type desert

Bottle of wine, brownie bites and strawberries