Need some advice...cross posted in the lounge...

[one_voice]

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]

1. Sounds great. All my favorites. I'd include a big bowl of fruit and maybe a green salad

for balance and for those who want something lighter.

[one_voice]

3. Thanks...

I was considering a fruit salad. Think I'll add that.

[cbayer]

2. Baked beans (crockpot or such), corn on the cob (throw on the grill)

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]

5. I completely forgot about baked beans...

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]

7. My youngest turns 25 this year.

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]

4. Grill some fruit

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]

8. Oh, dear. I have reached 100 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]

9. Thank you!...

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]

11. Congratulations, Cracklin Charlie!

And I love your water balloon idea. Super squirters could be fun as well!

[Cracklin Charlie]

23. Thank you!

Great idea for the waterguns. I love supersoakers. I am gonna have to grow up one of these days!

Maybe tomorrow!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. corn on the cob!

ain't a bbq without it

[one_voice]

10. Yep, you're right...

couple others have suggested it as well. Thanks.

[grasswire]

13. if you're grilling corn, try doing this...

....mix some chili powder, lime juice and butter, and baste the ears with it. Wow, it's delicious.

[cbayer]

15. I grill in the husks.

They husks come off easily, can sit on the grill for a long time and stay hot.

[one_voice]

19. I'm gonna make some with the husks and without...

they both sound yummy!

[Cracklin Charlie]

25. Thanks a lot!

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]

12. Watermelon - can never go wrong with a good chilled melon.

Have a blast!

[one_voice]

20. I love watermelon. It's one of my favorite...

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]

14. what's for dessert?

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]

16. And with all those younguns around, you could make some good old fashioned home made ice cream!

Yum!

[one_voice]

18. I forgot to put the dessert...

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]

22. uh....what's pig pickin' cake? (I'm afraid to ask)

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]

27. LOL....here's the basic recipe..

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]

17. Coleslaw

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]

21. I was considering cole slaw...

one of my son's favorite foods. I will probably make some.

[NJCher]

24. fiber

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]

26. I love coleslaw

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]

28. that sounds interesting!

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]

29. I'd probably cook a couple veggie burgers

For those who don't eat meat.