Backyard BBQ: Serving and Decor

I can’t believe this is our last week for the BBQ theme! Where did June go? I feel like I have so many ideas yet to share! Luckily there is still a little time to sneak them in. Today we are sharing a TON of ideas for serving and décor at your backyard BBQ!


First up, some tips for special food service!

1. Design Sponge shows you how to cover a six pack holder with gift wrap to make a handy condiment carrier!
2. Make your own paper food baskets from patterned paper with template and instructions from Zakka Life!

BBQ Tools - Monday Munchies

I must come clean.  I am guilty of gadget envy...BBQ gadgets, that is. Although I tease my husband endlessly about his own gadget addictions, I find myself totally taken in by all the new BBQ tools available today. It is only the shame of my BBQ-purist friends that has kept me from buying every cool new contraption that shows up in the market. Well, okay - that and the fact that I would go broke. Still, they are so cool that I must share my lust with you good people...

Meatball Grill Basket from Williams Sonoma

Circle-shaped Skewers from Texas Irons

Weber Vegetable Basket from Sears

Slider Grill Basket and Press from Red Envelope

ZaGrill Pizza Grill Pan from Chef's Resource

Sur La Table Mesh Quesadilla Grilling Basket from Price Grabber

Trust me when I tell you that this only scratches the surface. But I must wrap it up now...I have to get to work early so I can take a long lunch. Most of these retailers are having sales in the neighborhood of about 30-40% off grilling tools. I can hold off no longer. Tally-ho!

Backyard BBQ: Serving Beverages

Beverages are often an afterthought in the backyard BBQs we have. We often end up setting out a cooler stocked with beer, soda and water. But I love the idea of serving a nice lemonade or other specialty drink at our next BBQ. Which means I’ve got to figure out a cute way to display it.  Why bother making pretty lemonade if you aren’t going to enjoy it’s prettiness, right??

I’ve been so inspired by the ideas I’ve been finding that I had to share today!


1. Fill jars with premixed cocktails, lid and stash in a beverage container of ice like these found at Yummy Wedding Food.

2. Recycle old pretty wine bottles and set on tables like these from Young House Love (love them!!)



3. Set out fun glass vessels adorned with punched leaves and cute straws like these from Martha.

4. Use some pinking shears on fabric scraps then wrap jars like these from HWTM.


5. Make mason jars kid friendly cups by added brightly colored lids.  Find out how at A Bit of Sunshine.

6. Add mini chalk labels to regular jars for guests to label their drink (use chalkboard paint and regular jars) like these found at Style Me Pretty.


5. Set up a vintage drink cart like this cute lemonade cart from Three Pixie Lane.

6. Borrow the kid’s lemonade stand (particularly if it is as seriously beautiful as this one from Snowy Bliss!!!) and use it to set out multiple lemonade flavors in pretty dispensers!


7. Hollow a watermelon and use it as a punch bowl like this one from Martha.

8. Or cut a hole in the side and push in a keg shank like this one found at hither & thither.

(P.S. Check out our Watermelon Monday Munchies post to find out what to do with the leftover watermelon!!)

Of course cute dispensers like these beauties would be perfect for your bash!



1. Steel Beverage Dispenser with Stand from Target.com
2. Refreshing Lemonade Urn from Anthropologie
3. Trio Beverage Dispenser from Z Gallerie Finally, Martha has a couple great tips for serving beverages at your outdoor party!
 
1. Use pretty cupcake liners/baking cups to provide a bug-free cover to your drinks.

2. If you forgot to ice the beverages, use her tips here to get them cold last minute!


We hope you are inspired to add a little flair to serving the beverages at your next backyard BBQ. If you need ideas on what to serve, make sure to check out our Lemonades post from last week for some great ideas!
Happy Friday!  Are you entertaining this weekend?

 

Backyard BBQ: Lemonade

There is little as refreshing on a hot summer day as an icy glass of the tart and sweet lemonade. So it is a perfect complement for a backyard BBQ! Help your guests beat the heat with these creative recipes. We have some to fit any palate (and age!).
Here are some great recipes for any age group.

1. Italian Lemonade from Giada De Laurentiis (via nosh)
2. Rhubarb-Mint Lemonade from Country Home
3. Blood Orange Lemonade from Cozy Kitchen

4. Mango Lemonade from Pham Fatale
5. Watermelon Lemonade from My Fiance Likes It, So It Must Be Good
6. Raspberry Lemonade by My Baking Addiction

Although these beautiful beverages have no alcohol, these flavors might be more appropriate for the grownups.

7. Jalapeno Lemonade by Veggie Belly
8. Strawberry Basil Lemonade by What’s Gaby Cooking
9. Blackberry Rosemary Lemonade from SprinkledwithFlour via Tasty Kitchen

If you are interested in finding a recipe to build on with your own flavors, Inn Brooklyn has a great recipe.

10. Herb Citrus Cordials from Inn Brooklyn and Lavendar Lemonade from Inn Brooklyn (A Variation of the Herb Citrus Cordials)

And of course, we couldn’t resist sharing some adults-only lemonades!

11. Spiked Blueberry Lemonade by Veggie Belly
12. Vermontucky Lemonade from Smitten Kitchen
13. Lemonade Caipirinhas from Martha


Of course don't forget our Raspberry Lemonade Martini and Candied Lemon Drop Martini!


If you just can’t make up your mind, Cheeky Kitchen has a great party idea – have a make your own lemonade bar! Use her gourmet lemonade syrup recipe, then provide lots of unique frozen fruit cubes for your guests to mix your own! Love this idea!!




Wondering how to serve these delicious concoctions? We have you covered. Check back next Friday for ideas how to serve these beauties!! Have a great weekend!

Backyard BBQ: Grilled Fruit

Have a backyard BBQ planned? Have a dessert dilemma? Today’s roundup is all about the perfect dessert for your BBQ – grilled fruit!

I am a HUGE fan of grilled fruit. In fact I’d choose a simple grilled pineapple over almost any dessert. Something about the char and the heat gives such a mellow sweetness to the fruit. It’s pretty simple to make – just cut up a fresh pineapple (Our Best Bites has tips how to do it here.) We use slices or spears, but if you want bite size fruit, just put it on a skewer to keep it from falling into the grill. Then place on the hot grill for a few minutes until you get some nice char marks. We typically serve it plain.

It’s definitely delicious on its own, but if you want something a little more special, try one of these amazing recipes for various grilled fruit! We guarantee your guests will enjoy these delectable treats – and will also appreciate the fresh and light dessert on a hot summer night!

How about some fruit on skewers?

Grilled Fruit Skewers from Chaos in the Kitchen Grilled Banana Skewers with Coconut Milk Sauce from Bonbini
Grilled Fruit Kabobs from Taste of Home Grilled Tropical Fruit with Coconut Sauce from Food Network Canada

Peaches and other stone fruit are perfect for the grill!

Grilled Stone Fruit Antipasto Plate from the Noshery
Smeaches from The Kitchy Kitchen
Add a unique sauce or topping like these delicious treats!

Grilled Bananas with Spiced Chai Syrup from Ellie Krieger
Grilled Fruit Bruschetta with Honey Marscapone from Food & Wine

Grilled Watermelon with Yogurt from Food & Wine via The Bitten Word Grilled Hobo Fruit Packs from Today’s Letter
If you still need your chocolate, you can get it with these incredible recipes!

Grilled Banana Boats from Aggies Kitchen Grilled Pineapple with Nutella from Made in Melissa’s Kitchen

And for more great grilled dessert recipes, including the kitchn’s Grilled Peaches with Bourbon Vanilla Whipped Cream, visit this post from the kitchn!

We hope you found something that inspired you to try some lovely grilled fruit at your next backyard event. It’s a great way to enjoy summer’s bounty and stay out of the hot kitchen this summer!

Do you have any go to recipes or approaches for grilling fruit? Please share in the comments!