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Grilling Tips For a Large Group

By: Brian Hill

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Having a group of friends over for a backyard barbecue is one of the great traditions of summer in America. Sometimes there is a special occasion - graduation, a birthday, an anniversary - that gives you an opportunity to entertain a large group of guests. Grilling for a large group poses additional challenges versus just having two or three friends over. You want to make sure everyone is well-fed and has a good time but you, the host, want to enjoy the party as well, and not feel like you're a short-order cook in a crowded restaurant rushing around trying to fill orders.

Menu planning and task planning (sharing responsibility with the other guests) are two ways you can cope with the stress of entertaining a large group. Creative menu planning includes selecting the foods you will serve and the schedule for preparing them. Think outside the 'hamburgers and hot dogs' box and include a variety of salads and side dishes. These can be prepared in advance, saving you time and stress the afternoon of the party. And salads can be made with a wide variety of flavorful and colorful ingredients almost like meals in themselves. Many side dishes can be made the day before, too, and then you simply have to warm them up before serving. With some dishes, the flavors meld and they taste better the second day.

If you have a small outdoor grill and lots of people to serve, you run the risk of not having the meat grilled in time to serve everyone. Or you may rush through the grilling and serve your guests underdone meat. Plan ahead and ask one of the guests to bring over their grill, or borrow one from a neighbor. You could also serve smaller portions of the meat dish, allowing you to cook more units at once, so everyone gets to eat, and then can come back for more when you have cooked the second batch. You could also start out by serving hors d'oeuvres that have been prepared inside, giving the guests something to satisfy their hunger while you finish the main course meat.

Make the cooking easier on yourself by choosing meat or fish items that you have grilled many times before; we all have certain foods we know we can grill to perfection. Your party might not be the time to try out a new grilled oysters recipe, even if it might impress your guests.

You could also start certain dishes inside on the stove or in the oven, and then finish them on the grill to add that special smoky barbecue flavor. If you do that, you will need to have an assistant chef helping you, which brings up the next consideration when planning a successful outdoor party for a large group: task planning.

Imagine the chaotic situation of you and your spouse trying to cook and serve food for 40 people all at once, and serve them drinks, all the while trying to socialize and making them feel welcome. In advance of the party, call up a few of the invited guests and ask them if they are willing to pitch in with some of the serving chores. You might even have a buddy who is an expert griller and would love to help you cook. Some people prefer to be involved with a party rather than standing by trying to make conversation with people. Helping serve food and drinks is a great ice breaker to allow guests who many not know each other get acquainted.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Find more Grilling Tips Brian Hill is the author of several nonfiction books and the novel, "Over Time" about Green Bay Packer Football find out more about him at business plan consultant

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