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.)

BBQed watermelon. Delicious! 😋 🤤

Cold chopped watermelon

Bananas with Demerara sugar and a splash of rum cooked in foil when the meat’s done.

Home made salsa -
Tinned tomatoes
Chopped cherry tomatoes
Fine chopped onions/shallots or spring onions
Red & yellow peppers
Splash of Chilli sauce
Spoonful of mango chutney
Splash of lemon or lime juice.

Home made coleslaw with red cabbage, red onions & carrots.

Cucumber & carrot sticks with mint yoghurt dip

Potato salad. Just boil up some small new potatoes, cool then stir in mayo & fine chopped spring onions & fresh chives.

Big hot dogs in long buns

Squirty mayo & ketchup so people can add their own.

I always want some veg, there’s only so much meat you can eat! Courgettes bbq beautifully! Or field mushrooms brushed with garlic and parsley butter. Salad wise, you can’t go wrong with feta, watermelon, cucumber and mint, just chop your watermelon early so it has time to drain. A simple finely chopped tomato, cucumber, red onion and coriander is also good.

Usual meats
salads olives pickled veg
Pasta /cous cous salads
potato salad
halloumi and veg (peppers red onions courgettes) skewers

Barbied king prawns with satay sauce dip 😋

Fresh mackerel with a dijon mustard mayo

Flattened chicken breast marinated, grilled and tossed with caesar salad

Sides that are.not coveted in mayo.

good quality buns/bread

A dessert that's not blooming cheesecake or trifle.

Spare ribs/brisket! Don't get this much as some of out guests can't have it for religious reasons, but if you can, go for it.

Really good quality paper napkins, and lots of them. The ones that can hold a juicy burger without disintegrating. Citronella candles to keep the bugs away. Paper plates that can hold a burger, rather than folding in two. A big paddling pool full of ice/cold water to put drinks in. Shade. Plenty of seats that aren’t too close to the BBQ so you don’t get a face full of smoke. Music that isn’t just one genre so everyone gets a chance to listen to something they’d like. Squeezy ketchup so I’m not struggling with a glass bottle in one hand and paper plates in the other.

I think I like bbq sides more than the meat. Potato salad with just the tiniest bit of Dijon mustard mixed in with it, as well as cutlery to eat it with. Plain baby new potatoes that taste delicious cold. Jacket potatoes done in the oven then wrapped up in tinfoil and on the bbq to keep hot. Corn on the cob. White onion rather than red, both raw and sautéed. Nice bread rolls. Vegetables on a skewer (mushroom, onion, pepper etc).

Giant marshmallows on sticks are always a hit at our bbqs (by the adults more than the kids!)

Instead of drumsticks, which can be hard to cook through without burning the outside, go for chicken breasts cut into strips, marinade in lemon juice, olive oil and whatever herbs and spices you fancy, then threaded onto skewers.
I’d always want to see coleslaw and a couple of other salads - couscous maybe, nice potato salad - as I’m not so
much of a meat eater.

I noticed in M&S today bags of marinated boneless chicken thighs. Choice of 2 marinades if you’re interested. Might be easier than drumsticks.

I agree chicken on skewers rather than drumsticks - much more likely to be properly cooked.

Corn in the cob - always love this.

Salads and nibbles are often overlooked (crisps, olives etc…)

If the weather is hot then sliced watermelon is always good.

Beef burgers and hot dogs with buns

corn on the cobs

coleslaw

a pasta dish (pesto, rocket, tomatoes and mozzarella)

condiments

crisps a plenty!

halloumi and veg skewers

Even when I wasn't veggie I didn't like BBQ food but love potato salad made with Jersey potatoes and spring onion, lots of salad, creamy coleslaw, French bread, lots of dips.

Ooh I do like a good potato salad.

Cooked and chilled baby potatoes in a light dressing, French bread and my absolute favorite is lazy pico de Gallo just chop up tomatoes with red onion and chopped coriander

I would like some vegetables, and not necessarily grilled ones. Bell peppers in slices for instance, mushrooms, tomatoes. Coleslaw.
I don't like white bread things so would eschew them, wholemeal would be cool but I imagine no one else likes them. I can skip buns, anyway.

Chicken drumsticks would be nice.

Ribeye steak, langoustine or huge prawns, undressed salad with a few dressings as I hate some of them!

Oh, chocolate bananas - cut a wedge lengthways from the banana, fill with crumbled cadburys flakes, shove wedge back in. Cover in foil, BBQ for a few minutes wedge side up, serve with ice cream, squirty cream and sprinkles (if you have the sophisticated pallette of a child) 😋

A large jug of margarita. Followed up by another large jug of margarita. I speak from experience, hosted friends a couple weeks ago, we had lots of drinks on offer, but the margarita got drunk in a flash. I was saved by a neighbour who went to fetch more tequila and ice cubes.

I know you said the BBQ was sorted but I'm always excited to see ribs!

BBQ'd corn on the cob is an excellent side. A potato salad or pasta salad is a nice addition, and/or buttery new potatoes!

Good bread for the meat (not brioche!!) and nice cheese for the burger. And maybe a chilli or peri peri sauce rather than just ketchup. Caramelised/BBQ onions would basically have you on my favourite host of year list!

Green salad
Potato or pasta salad
Bean salad
Coleslaw
Lots of different breads
Corn on the cob
Padron peppers
Grilled halloumi

Halloumi burgers and something vegetarian maybe baked potatoes with different filling options.

Halloumi and pepper kebabs
nice salads - rice or other grain, cous cous and chickpea, potato salad, Greek salad, pasta and pesto salad
nice bread