Barbecues are a highlight of the Summer season. They are a great excuse to kick back with family & friends with a glass of ice cold lemonade and your favourite foods.
This season, learn how to plan the “perfect BBQ” from beginning to end with delicious finger foods and activities that will help kick-start the Summer with a bang!
Invitations:
Many BBQ’s tend to be on the casual side, with no “official” invitations being sent. Be bold and exciting by creating bright and inviting notes about your summer shindig that will be sure to make everyone RSVP!
• Go Green and send a Facebook “Event” to all of your friends. This is an eco-friendly and fast way to track all of your guests' responses without costing a dime and saving paper.
• If you live in a "planned community", instead of giving out individual invites to all of your neighbours, create a poster and hang it in your neighbourhood community center.
• Utilize those beautiful blank cards that non-profit organizations send you (such as the SPCA or War Amps) to send out your invites. Be sure to include that donations are welcome for that charity as well in lieu of a food dish.
Activities:
Keep the fun going with interactive activities that will get all of your guests involved, and be sure to release their inner child
• Have a water balloon fight
• If you have a pool, have a pool volley ball game
• Engage your guests with a game of horseshoes or bocce ball
• Have a watermelon-eating contest – A great way to keep cool in the heat
Food:
After everyone has shared a few laughs and has had a chance to relax, it is time to break out the food!
Before the main course, prep simple appetizers & finger food to nibble on. Try these ideas:
• Create delicious gazpacho soup “shooters” by chilling canned tomato soup, adding a dash of olive oil and hot sauce, mixing and pouring into plastic shooter cups. Top each with a teaspoon of Summer Fresh Tzatziki.
• Mix canned, drained tuna with Summer Fresh Spicy Tzatziki until blended and spread in whole-wheat wraps with sliced cucumber. Roll and place on grill for 30-45 seconds. Serve warm.
• Skewer cocktail wieners with a toothpick and serve with Summer Fresh Spicy Artichoke & Asiago Dip
When the appetizers are done, move on to the delicious main event. Incorporate these tasty ideas:
• Grill a variety of hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers and have a “build your own” bar. Include shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles as well as a variety of Summer Fresh Hummus, Summer Fresh Bruschetta and Summer Fresh Mexicali Dip as condiment options.
• Add diced yellow and red peppers, along with broccoli florets to Summer Fresh Summer Rotini Salad. Toss and serve.
• For a twist on the boring burger, mix ground beef with Summer Fresh Sweet Curry Dip, and dry breadcrumbs. Mould into patties and grill until cooked through.
• Mix 1 bag of prepared, bagged coleslaw with Summer Fresh Balsamic Onion Dip for creamy coleslaw.
• Place ½ slice of salami on a cracker or flatbread and drizzle with Summer Fresh Cheddar & Leek Cheesy Dip.
• Cut chunks of tomato and cucumber and toss with black olives. Add Summer Fresh Greek Feta Dip and serve as a great salad side dish.
• For a unique twist, brush hot dogs or sausages with Summer Fresh Tamarind Sauce before grilling.
After the main course, end with tempting desserts to wind down the festivities:
• Spoon Summer Fresh Maple Walnut Topping over warm apple crumble or pound cake
• Serve Summer Fresh Grilled Peach Bruschetta over a grilled fruit salad with sliced pineapple, grapes and peaches.
• Spread cream cheese over a fresh scone and top with Summer Fresh Cranberry Pomegranate Topping.
