Summer is a great time to have a BBQ. You can get friends and family out in the fresh air, under the summer sun, with the smell of charcoal and whatever you’re cooking wafting through the air. The barbecue is a great American tradition, but there are so many ways to do it that it can confuse some people about how to get it right. So here’s what you need to know to host a great BBQ.
Prepare Your Tools and Grill
It’s really helpful if you can prepare ahead of time for your BBQ. Of course, you want to leave as little as possible to do on the day of the BBQ. This will not only ensure the day goes by smoothly, but it will also allow you to enjoy the BBQ with your friends and family rather than rushing about organizing the BBQ.
Start with the guest list and nail down your menu. Consider what your hosts typically like to eat and, more importantly, what they are allergic to.
Clean your grill a few days before the BBQ with a stainless steel brush. Afterward, get your grilling tools, such as a basting brush, tongs, grill baskets, and cutting boards. After that, you want to check your propane tanks and, if necessary, get a backup. If you use wood or charcoal briquets, you should have a good supply and plenty of lighter fluid.
Prepare the Menu
Your menu should be planned in three parts: snacks, the main meal, and sweet and savory treats after the main meal. Again, you want to make as much of your menu ahead of time as you can so that on the day, you aren’t racing about making food. So prepare your dips, salads, and desserts the day before the BBQ. If you’re grilling any vegetables, cut them the day before the BBQ. You could make your life a lot easier by buying cheeses, cold meats, olives, and pickles for the snacks before the main meal.
Decide on Serving Portions
You should also decide on the serving portions that everyone will get. You want to give a guest 2 to 3 small portions for snacks. You should bring portions out as needed; otherwise, your guests will devour all the portions before late comers arrive. The main meal should include between 12 and 18 ounces of protein, whether chicken, meat, or seafood. You should provide at least two servings of side dishes per guest. As for dessert, one serving should be enough.
Cook According to Guidelines
Now, if you are to succeed in coming close to the yummy quality of a Sunday brunch at Ray’s at Killer Creek, you need to ensure that when you are barbequing and making your food, you follow the cooking instructions. If you’re following a cookbook, follow the instructions and cooking times closely. If you haven’t cooked something before, do some research so you know how long it will take to cook it. This will not just affect the quality of your food, it will also affect your scheduling. You don’t want to underestimate how much time you will need to do everything.
