Cooking & Baking
Related: About this forumNeed some advice...cross posted in the lounge...
next Saturday (16th) I'm having a big ole bbq for my son's--my baby --21st birthday.
I need some ideas for sides. So far the menu is:
Chicken, hamburgs, hot dogs, tater salad, pasta salad, deviled eggs.
Chips dips etc.
I'm doing all the cooking so nothing too involved. Thanks in advance.
Laurian
(2,593 posts)for balance and for those who want something lighter.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)I was considering a fruit salad. Think I'll add that.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Sounds like great fun! Congratulations to you and your son for making it this far (it gets better and better from here out, in my experience)
one_voice
(20,043 posts)that has to go on the menu. Thanks! My daughter is 26, you're right it gets easier. Though to be honest, he's not as high maintenance as she was. LOL!
cbayer
(146,218 posts)They are all on their own, self sufficient, not in any trouble (or have finished paying their debt to society, lol).
What a great feeling.
Now I am ready for grandkids!
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Pineapple is especially tasty.
Or you could make a fruit salsa and serve with cinnamon chips.
My youngsters love both of these things.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Only took me six years. I'm glad it was a food topic.
Enjoy your party!
I thought of another thing that would be fun to serve:
Water balloons!
one_voice
(20,043 posts)I was thinking of water balloons, not sure though cuz we have a pool. Congrats on reaching 100. I think I hit a hundred by my third day.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)And I love your water balloon idea. Super squirters could be fun as well!
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Great idea for the waterguns. I love supersoakers. I am gonna have to grow up one of these days!
Maybe tomorrow!
Viva_La_Revolution
(28,791 posts)ain't a bbq without it
one_voice
(20,043 posts)couple others have suggested it as well. Thanks.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)....mix some chili powder, lime juice and butter, and baste the ears with it. Wow, it's delicious.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)They husks come off easily, can sit on the grill for a long time and stay hot.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)they both sound yummy!
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)I'll be back in a few minutes. I have to run to the market to get some corn on the cob. I will follow your directions, and add some lime zest mixed with salt to finish after grilling.
pinto
(106,886 posts)Have a blast!
one_voice
(20,043 posts)things about summer. When I turned 21 we put vodka in the watermelons and let it get ice cold, then ate it. Who needs jello shots....
grasswire
(50,130 posts)texas sheet cake would be make-ahead easy, and delicious.
Cupcakes would be welcomed.
Very cool ice cream sandwiches can be made in advance and frozen.
Or you could go all out with a sundae bar.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)Yum!
one_voice
(20,043 posts)My son isn't much of a dessert person, but his favorite cake is pig pickin' cake, I thought I'd make that but instead of a cake I'd make cupcakes. I also thought fruit would be good for dessert.
His birthday is Tuesday, so I'm going to make a cake that day and he's asked for red beans and rice for din din.
Ice cream sandwiches sound like a good idea.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Today on TV I saw ice cream sandwiches made with peach sorbet and brown sugar cookies. That looked good.
The sorbet was made with just pureed frozen peaches, some cream, and some maple syrup. Blend in blender, pour into pint containers, and freeze. Then they made brown sugar cookies (you could buy round cookies at the store). To put the cookies together, they unmolded the sorbet, cut it in slices, and put each slice between two cookies. Wrap each, and refreeze.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)Cake
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges in juice
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Frosting
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 (9 ounce) container whipped topping (thawed)
1 (6 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/pig-pickin-cake-384695#ixzz1xJKtQuaS
I make my icing with both mandarin oranges and pineapple. I also use fresh pineapple if it's available, and you can add coconut..very yummy! I've been making this cake since I was a teenager.
I use mayo in place of oil (usually the low fat/calorie) it makes it very moist and you can't taste it. I also use the light cool whip, so it helps make it a tad less bad for you.
edited to add: I make a sheet cake. You can do round. One or two layers.
Warpy
(111,481 posts)Grated cabbage and carrot, Hidden Valley coleslaw dressing with a pinch or two of celery seed, a sprinkle of paprika over the top to make it fancy.
Yes, I usually use prefab coleslaw dressing. It's better than my own. The celery seed just gives it a little extra sweetness and bite.
ETA: if you don't have a mandoline, you can buy the grated cabbage and celery in bags in most supermarkets. You can't get any easier than that!!
one_voice
(20,043 posts)one of my son's favorite foods. I will probably make some.
I like Cracklin' Charlie's idea, and Warpy's, too.
However, how about a big plate divided into sections with:
miniature carrots
broccoli
celery sticks
peppers, red and yellow
cherry tomatoes
Chill all these and serve them up at the last minute so they're crispy.
All of the above can be purchased cut up already, but personally, I would do it myself.
Your son's event sounds like a lot of fun and he's lucky to have a mom like you to pull all this off.
Cher
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)I like to make slaw with all kinds of vegetables. This week we are experimenting with kohlrabi. It makes an excellent slaw with apple, onion, and bacon. A little mustard vinaigrette to bind it together.
I must leave this thread now. You people are making me hungry.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)My family likes an alternative slaw made with thin sliced cabbage, slivers of fresh plum, a toss of Trader Joe's spicy thai peanuts, and red wine vinegar and olive oil.
I think slaws are really fun, and a great way to slip some extra nutrition on the plates.
bif
(22,834 posts)For those who don't eat meat.