I'm searching for ideas on what we could serve at our cookout this weekend with hamburgers. We're grilling out on the patio and I want to have some good sides to serve. WE are already doing chips and avocado dip.
Anyone? I'd like to do something easy but yummy. All ideas are welcome--thanks!
I make a really easy pasta salad. Again, I don't use measurements, but sort of add as I go.
Tri-colored pasta (I don't know what it's called, the spiral-shaped noodle) grape tomatoes, cut in half small mozzarella balls, cut in quarters red onion, chopped KRAFT Zesty Italian salad dressing (you MUST use this exact dressing...it just doesn't taste as good with any other, must have something to do with the ZEST!)
Just mix it all together. It's not really a healthy recipe because you end up using A LOT of dressing, the pasta seems to soak up quite a bit.
Anyway, it's very colorful and summery, good for BBQs.
pasta salad is always good. i also like potato salad (but only when my mom makes it), fresh fruit salad/cocktail. i like to saute some mushrooms to put on the burgers too, just adds a little extra something. i'm also a big fan of veggies cooked on the grill, like corn on the cob or squash...something summery. yum...i can't wait till we move and can grill outside!
You can toast the bread on the grill (you need some italian bread, possibly the bowl, or the loaf is ok too) when the grill gets colder, towards the end.
Then, you prepare tomatoes cut in small pieces with onion, garlic if you like, basil, salt and olive oil. Then everyone takes as muck toasted bread as they want, and put the tomatoes mixture on top; if someone doesn't like tomatoes, they can use just salt and olive oil, or spread the garlic on the bread, then add salt and oil. It's not real spreading of the garlic, I don't know how to say it...
Basically, you buy buffalo mozzerella and slice it, then put sliced tomatoes inbetween, so it alternates. Then pour a little vinegarette (I like Newmans) and either slivered basil leaves on top, or a line of pesto over top. It looks lovely, and it's really good (and easy, if you can cut and open a jar, you're qualified!)
I describe it to people that it's like licking a garden. It's a favorite of mine.
Oh. Another idea is fruit skewers. Just cut any fruit into cubes, and put them on skewers. It always looks nice.
And one more idea. For a dessert, you can grill pineapple slices with brown sugar on them (it carmalizes) and serve a scoop of vanilla bean icecream in the middle of the pineapple ring. It's easy, and a lot of people haven't had a dessert off a grill before.
Oh, i was gonna suggest grilled pineapple slices too! I like a shish kabob of green peppers, mushrooms (I don't eat those, but they look pretty), zuccini (cannot figure out how to spell that), and pineapple grilled. Yummy! Also, my dad usually cooks corn on the cob when he grills. Just brush the cobs with olive oil, add salt, pepper, a little rosemary, wrap each cob in tin foil and throw them on the grill. They get yummy and a little crispy in parts. Another favorite is yellow squash and zuchinni (still not right) sliced thinly with a sweet yellow onion sauteed in a pan together. When cooking, add lots of parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. MMMMMMmmmmm I'm hungry now!
__________________
Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.
-Epictetus
what about sauteed sweet and sour red cabbage? i know it kinda sounds gross but this is one of my favorite things to eat and it goes with alot. it's also a light healthy option (mayo-free) for anyone who may want some greens.
it's super easy, fast and cheap to make.
1 head of red cabbage shredded but not too thin garlic 2 Tablespoons olive oil or even cooking spray chopped walnuts or almonds (optional) cider vinegar to taste - I use about 1/2 a cup
Just eat oil and garlic / add cabbage cook at high heat until slightly wilted / add nuts until aromatic / then add vinegar to soften... cook for 5 minutes or until texture is to taste.
other things that could be good or roasted vegetables on the grill. you could marinate and skewer them kabob style or you could probably just grilled larger veges like fennel wedges.
Wow, what great responses! Thanks, girls - I am especially liking the pineapple idea and the caprese idea (I LOVE caprese). The other thoughts are very helpful too. Dot, your cabage recipe doesn't sound gross at all, I might give it a try as well!
how about a yummy salad like romaine, blue cheese crumbles, nuts--pine nuts or pecan pieces, dried cranberries, sliced apples and a raspberry vinegrette dressing---the Ken's steakhouse or the Paul newmans is good.
or a fruit salad--also easy, slice up different fruit and dazzle a litttle orange juice or sugar or Fruit Fresh to keep it fresh and from turning brown.
we are having 5 couples over this weekend for a cookout and to play Scene It and Cranium and i think i am making both of these.
__________________
There are many languages, but laughter sounds the same in every one.
We always have a cookout for Father's Day because that is what my grandpa likes. We have pasta salad, potato salad, these kick ass baked beans, deviled eggs, Kabobs, Gazpacho, corn on the cob and Watermelon Margaritas.
__________________
I don’t want no part of your tight-ass country-club, you freak bitch!
you guys are making me hungry... i would definitely do sangria (virgin for you, pregnant lady! you look great in thread style btw!) and marinated mushrooms (there's a great easy recipe on allrecipe.com), fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and a nice salad. you could also do bruschetta on the grill... toast a sliced baguette and serve with chopped tomato/ olive oil/garlic/parsley mixture. hope you have fun! too bad this weekend is so cold and rainy.