Cookout plans

[Ellain]

So, I'm having a cookout this weekend on Sunday, partly so I can show off my new house, and partly to announce to people in person that I'm pregnant (and well past the point when I've miscarried in the past). I'm mostly trying to organize my thoughts here, though if anyone has suggestions, feel free to chime in. I'm sure there will be something I'll forget.

Ok, guest list is about 25 confirmed and about a dozen maybes. The cookout will take place over a 4 hour span, and not everyone will be present at the same time. I have seating for 24, and my MIL is planning to bring extra. I think that should be ok, especially the way our deck is laid out (multiple levels for extra perching space).

We'll be cooking hamburgers (not just meat patties, but with yummy added), hot dogs, and bratwurst. There will also be baked beans and green bean casserole, chips, and homemade dip. My MIL is bringing fruit of some sort, and my grandma is bringing rhubarb bars. If I have time, I also plan to make jell-o jigglers, brownies from scratch, and maybe a lemon pie.

Now I just have to decide when I'm going to make all this, as Saturday I'm going to be out of town most of the day. I figure I'll do all the meat prep the day of. The dip and maybe the pie I could squeeze in before I leave on Saturday, and the rest should be ok to make on Friday, especially since my best friend just told me she will do the casserole.

Now, what am I forgetting? Oh yeah... Breathe.

[ohsobitter]

People love to bring food. Divvy up the sides and see what people can bring.
Have someone coming for sure bring buns or brownies/cookies. I cook out a ton and always ask people to bring a dish.

Ice, don't forget ice!

[Slayer]

Sounds like you're on the right track even though it must seem chaotic to you, lol. The timeline seems to work for me. And you're right, a lot of the stuff can be made ahead of time. The meat at least will be simple to take care of.

I do agree about the ice! Beverages would be good, too. A big batch of punch and/or different kinds so people can choose.

I'm iffy on asking people to bring food instead of providing it. When people offer, that's awesome. Take them up on the offer for sure. I just really don't like being asked to bring food when it's for a specific occasion (especially when it's an occasion that generally merits a gift, like a housewarming). When it's just a regular get-together than I'm more than happy to bring something. I hope that makes sense.

If you haven't said why you're throwing the party (housewarming, I mean, I know the pregnancy is a secret - congrats!), then by all means ask them to help you out.

[Jester]

Some suggestions:

Beer and/or booze, assuming this is a drinking crowd. Obviously you won't be drinking, but that doesn't mean your guests won't want to. And if you do have ice chests of adult beverages, don't forget sodas and/or ice waters for those who choose not to drink, designated drivers, and children, if they will be in attendance. It's summer, it's wise to hydrate.

For the brats: A variety of mustards, not just ordinary yellow mustard; sauteed onions and peppers (you can slice them up ahead of time and cook them while you are cooking everything else on the grill, or in a skillet; and sauerkraut--you can easily buy some premade in the store, and heat it up on the stove the day off, then transfer the pot you heat it up in straight on to the grill for serving. (Or you can even heat up the kraut in said pot right on the grill.)

For the burgers and dogs, condiments. Ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onions, and/or pickles. And don't forget the cheese. People tend to LOVE cheese on their burgers.

As someone said, don't forget ice, especially if you plan on having beers and/or cocktails made available.

Potato salad, macaroni salad, and/or pasta salad. Starches go well with grilled meats, and you can either make these, have a friend make these, or even just buy them from a store. If you want, I have great recipes for both potato salad and pasta salad.

Veggie tray with dip. Easily bought in the store, or if you or one of your friends is feeling industrious, easily prepped at any time during the weekend.

Chips and salsa. Again, easy to get at the store, great for people who want to snack while they're waiting for the grilled items. (Ditto with the veggie tray, by the way.) Once again, I have some recipes for salsas, from traditional to verde to black bean and corn.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to suggest that you do ALL of this. That would be nuts. Just simply offering some ideas you may not have thought of, and you can pick and choose which ones you want to do or have a friend do.

And yes....breathe. You're pregnant now, so you're actually breathing for TWO. Remember that.

[AccountingDrone]

Everything Jester said, plus I would actually make the meat blend for the burgers a day or two ahead and make the patties the day of to let the flavors meld. You might hold out 3 or 4 burgers worth of meat and NOT season it - I am a plain beast sort of person and I don't like my burgers cluttered up with all sorts of stuff in the meat. [I add a dash of salt and black pepper to the meat, if I am frisky it might gt a dash of worchestershire sauce. I find the best burgers are 2/3 80-90% beef and 1/3 ground pork with a dash of salt and pepper.]

Maybe pick up a box of boca burgers in case someone is vegetarian? Quorn makes a good faux poultry burger that even *I* like.

I love cook out season

[Jester]

Even if you don't get veggie burgers, between all the other things you may have, you should be find for the veggie crowd, I would think.

[Ellain]

Thanks for all the input guys! I totally forgot about ice, lol.

Slayer, I agree with you about not asking people to bring stuff, but when they offer I jump on it! My best friend, my grandma, and my MIL are the only ones who have offered. That doesn't surprise me; a few of the guests are going to be in town from Alaska, and the way my family works, (at least my mother's side) it would never occur to them to offer.

Jester, thanks for the input! Most of my guests are not huge drinkers, but now that you mention it, getting some beer might be a good idea. Of course, as I can't stand the stuff, I have no clue what's good.

I have both yellow mustard and Dijon already, and if I could find the darn stuff, I would buy deuseldorf (sp?)- I know my dad loved that when it was available. The rest of the condiments, I think I have covered, though my garden is not even close to ready to harvest, so the tomatoes and such will be the supermarket variety. I'd love to make a pasta salad, but I can't see when I could fit it in to the prep schedule- so I suppose store bought will have to suffice.

AccountingDrone, I like the idea of mixing pork in- I'll have to try that sometime. Not for this cookout though, my aunt is allergic to pork. So no bacon in the burgers either. And I'm fairly certain that no one (at least among those who have RSVP'd) is meatless.

Thanks again for all the input! I really appreciate it!

[Andara Bledin]

Re: Non-meat burgers - If you don't dislike them, maybe pick up some big mushrooms for grilling.

I'm actually a fan of meat, but I like to change it up with a big ol' mushroom when offered.

^-.-^

[AccountingDrone]

I have both yellow mustard and Dijon already, and if I could find the darn stuff, I would buy deuseldorf (sp?)- I know my dad loved that when it was available.

You can get the good german mustards at germandeli.com. You can actually get them to send you a large cooler with everything you need for sausage based festival

[Ellain]

Ooh, mushrooms sound awesome. I have no idea how to prepare them, but yum! I'm actually eating a pizza with extra mushrooms right now, lol.

And I'm going to go check out that germandeli site as soon as I hit "post."

[Barracuda]

Pretty easy to prepare them. Cut the stem off, brush them lightly to remove any dirt, and then brush them with olive oil (you can also mix your favorite herb into the oil before doing so,) and place on the grill. Just grill them until they just start to shed their water and shrink, and then take them off.

[Jester]

Thanks for all the input guys! I totally forgot about ice, lol.

For future reference, ice should always be at the top of your checklist. Just saying. (And if you want, I can give you a list of reasons, many of them not even involving alcohol.)

Jester, thanks for the input! Most of my guests are not huge drinkers, but now that you mention it, getting some beer might be a good idea. Of course, as I can't stand the stuff, I have no clue what's good.

What's good and what people will drink are two different things. If they aren't generally big drinkers, you should be fine with some Bud Light, Miller Lite, Corona, or a combination thereof. As I have no idea how many people you are expecting, nor how many of them would be drinking, I cant' say how much of each to get. But each is generally available in six-packs, twelve-packs, and cases (24), sometimes even 18 or 30, depending on your store, and all are generally available in bottles or cans, but most people tend to prefer bottles to cans. (And Corona in cans sucks ass.) Be advised, though, if you get Corona, most people will expect lime wedges for their Coronas, so be ready to have those on hand if you go the Mexican beer route.

I have both yellow mustard and Dijon already, and if I could find the darn stuff, I would buy deuseldorf (sp?)- I know my dad loved that when it was available.

I am not hugely familiar with Dusseldorf, though I have seen it, and I believe it has both a Dijon variety and a spicy mustard variety. If so, you should be fine with Gulden's Spicy Brown, a lovely deli mustard that should be more readily available than Dusseldorf (though don't hold me to that).

Ooh, mushrooms sound awesome. I have no idea how to prepare them, but yum! I'm actually eating a pizza with extra mushrooms right now, lol.

Portabello mushrooms are actually easy to prepare, and portabello sandwiches are often a great alternative to burgers, even to non-vegetarians such as myself. Hell, having them on hand might show some of your guests that you are more than just a burger cook! And the great thing is, you can treat the portabello sandwiches, as far as dressing them, just like a burger: bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, whatever.

You can prep them as Barracuda suggested, or you can marinate the heads (definitely trim the stems off) in some balsamic vinegar for a little while, and then just grill them right off, with the balsamic still on them. Delicious!

Feel free to PM me or post in this thread if you have any questions....as most people on this site know, I never have a problem talking food!

[auntiem]

I have a super easy black bean salad that can double as a veggie main dish with tortillas and can be made a few days ahead. I can post it if that sounds interesting.
I guess it may be a regional thing, but at most cookouts around here Rolling Rock and Pacifico are usually what people provide beerwise. Usually there is at least one bottle of white wine in the cooler / ice bin too 'cause we are "classy" like that. Mac Jack (or other brands of hard cider) are popular too. The kids call it "auntie juice" they know it isn't apple juice for them.

[sylvier]

Re the desserts: you've already got rhubarb bars, and you have an awful lot to do as it is. Brownies are pretty easy and can be made several days in advance. Pop into freezer and ice them on party day. If you want to make pie, why not carry on with the rhubarb theme? That too can be made in advance and frozen. Still a lot of work. If you have no dessert offers, you could go to a bakery ... just sayin'

[Ellain]

Thanks Barracuda, that definitely sounds like something I could handle. And Jester's suggestion of a balsamic marinade sounds mouthwatering!

*takes notes on Jester's post* I'm not a terribly talented cook, so I really appreciate the tidbits I can glean from those who are! Really, brownies are my best thing.

Auntie juice sounds yummy- too bad I have to wait until February to try it! And thanks for the offer of the recipe, but unless someone asks if they can help out, I think I'm at the max I can handle for this round! I'm pretty sure the pie will be going by the wayside as well.

I'll probably be ok with the rhubarb bars and the brownies. *crosses fingers*