You're going to a barbecue. What would you like to see? (Inspiration needed!)

[WhatToServeAtTheBBQ]

I know how fab MN is at this sort of thing!

We're hosting a barbecue tomorrow and making shopping list tonight and shopping in the morning so anything that requires overnight marinating or slow cooking for hours is probably off!

There will be 10 people altogether (including us). No vegetarians or food restrictions so anything goes in that respect.

What would you hope to see?

My brain is a bit addled from the heat and work this week so I need some help 😬

As far as the bbq food is concerned, it's probably going to be the usual sausages, burgers and chicken drumsticks. I'm looking for inspiration for other stuff!

Thanks!

(We have a sainsburys and Lidl nearby. And a butcher for the meat.)

I love a rice dish at a bbq.

Butterflied leg of lamb that's been marinated with olive oil, lemon, garlic and spices.

A friend used to do the most amazing cold rice salad at BBQs - onion and bacon cooked down then rice added and simmered in chicken stock until liquid absorbed and rice tender. Then tinned sweetcorn through it.
A really good homemade potato salad with lots of fresh chives...and pickles for the burgers!

Bbq’d halloumi, kebabs, homemade potato salad, caprese salad, grilled vegetables.

A skewer is very easy and doesn’t need any marinading…pieces of chicken, chorizo, red onion and peppers alternated - delicious

Fresh bread corn on the cob, tomato salad, burgers and chicken.

I always enjoy fish or king prawns and love caponata which is great cold. Although tbh if someone else is cooking I’m happy with anything!

Sturdy plates, stuff to clean sticky fingers, chilled drinks and shade. I am sure you have the food covered already.

Halloumi in some shape of form and a homemade potato salad but not in mayo - in a dressing of some sort with slivers of red onion and fresh dill. It really cuts through the richness (fattyness) of bbq meats.

Oh and Retro ice- lollies for pudding.

Nice thick burgers, coleslaw, tomato salad and french bread.

Coleslaw,pasta salad and don't forget the plastic cheese for the burgers.

Decent burgers from the butcher's.

Homemade coleslaw and potato salad, not supermarket slop.

Proper homemade creamy coleslaw. Not the vinegary, acidic shop bought stuff. Best bit of a bbq for me.

My heart sinks at a burgers sausages and chicken drumsticks bbq, I hate all 3 😂
but as you’re looking for sides I’d also be providing some nice salads, a panzanella or a tomato and red onion salad (mozzarella optional!) with some fresh thyme and balsamic, roasted peppers, a big tabbouleh with sone halloumi, some pink pickled onions (they go with everything!), fattoush, orzo pasta salad, some kind of slaw…

Dunno, the sides are endless and more of the star of the show for me if the meat options are (imo!!!) quite basic.

Little roasted new potatoes with rosemary and garlic. In oven.or done in foil on bbq.

Good bread rolls or pitta. Any good bread. Always sad when there is lovely meats, cheeses, roasted veg and then long life dry rolls to go with it all.

Chicken drumsticks are probably the one meat item I won't touch off a bbq because of encountering too may undercooked ones over the years.

Things on skewers are always a winner. Veg skewers, lamb koftas etc

Potato salad

Coleslaw

Decent buns that actually fit the burgers and sausages and aren't sourdough or brioche or anything else not fit for purpose.

Burgers
Nice fat quality sausages
Halloumi
Maybe an alternative, fish or roast veg skewers or marinaded chicken.

Buns for meat

Cheeses
Sauces

Then a selection of sides.
Potato salad
Coleslaw
Green salad

Chilled fruit salad or other cold dessert

Greg Davies!

Depends on your budget but a marinated shoulder of slow cooked lamb and served with flatbreads and a feta, watercress and peach salad, tzatziki is great. Perhaps some grilled
hallomi, olives and anchovies to start?

more traditional a couple of bbq spatchcocked chicken is easy with a rice or pasta salad. Or nigella does a lemon and thyme spatchcock chicken..just allow marinating time.

iIf you can get butterflied mackerel that is excellent on the bbq.

Sausages

(said in That's Life talking dog voice)

A lovely homemade potato salad, grilled corn on the cob and big garlic flat mushrooms! And a fresh salsa with pineapple or mango, tomato, red onion, cucumber and coriander. Some tortilla chips and a few dips to nibble while the food is cooking - hummus, tatziki, guacamole, sour cream & chive ☺️

I don’t expect a big feed at a bbq.
Nice burger toppings, cheese coleslaw and sauces. Fried onions and mustard for the sausages.

I wouldn’t eat chicken at a bbq.

I’d do some chips(fries) or wedges in the airfryer.

Another success was a Boston butt! It’s a pork joint that is marinated slabs slow cooked and served in buns with apple sauce. I find large joints which can be slow cooked are
easier for large groups.

The bread makes it breaks the BBQ for me. I love a burger/hotdog etc but bloody hate crappy rolls.

Ooh and don't forget a good selection of sauces!