MY FIRST BBQ!

I am having my first BBQ at my house. Can anyone give me some good suggestions re: what to make?

I know the standard hotdogs/hamburgers. I am really looking for side dishes/appetizers. Anyone make a MEAN potatoe salad??

Thanks!!

Yeah! Your first BBQ - that is fun!

Let's see - potato salad (sorry I don't have a good recipie), pasta salad, black bean salad, corn on the cob always goes over well, maybe tomatos and mozzarella (if there are any Italians in the bunch).

Have Fun!

Spinach dip is a good one. I second the mozz and tomato salad. Make a fruit salad too, that always go over well after dinner!

Good luck and have fun!

I had one a few weekends ago and made so much but everything was great..we had pasta salad, macaroni salad, green salad, penne alla vodka, corn on the cob, ham. and hot dogs, ribs, sausage, grilled chicken, shish-ka-bobs. For dessert I made a great chocolate layer dessert and fruit salad. My aunt brought mixed berries and chocolate covered strawberries.

This weekend I am having my DH's family and we are having green salad, tomato and mozz. salad or maybe like a brushetta, grilled portabella mushrooms, grilled salmon, grilled chicken, hot dogs, sausage, baked ziti, and some baked homemade fries. For dessert fruit salad and a chocolate lover's cake.

Edited to say: Have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best bbq dessert is the chocolate layer one but it will depend on your crowd. It works nicely with a deep bowl in a stand - and esp. a clear one. Bake a chocolate cake and when cool and fit that into the bottom of the bowl. Top it with a layer of chocolate pudding (I use instant). Add a layer of mini marshmellows. Add a layer of mixed chopped candy bars (I use 3 Musketeers, Milky Way and Snickers usually). Another layer of pudding, marshmellows and candy bars. Top with Cool Whip. Add either mini chocolate chips or chocolate spinkles to the top to decorate. It looks pretty in the clear bowl. Serve by scooping out with a big spoon into bowls. It is messy when it is in the bowl but is pretty in the bowl if you layer it nicely. My family calles is mush but they love it. It goes at any bbq I bring it to!!!

This is the potato salad recipe I follow:

Amt of potatoes depends on the # of people, I'd say ~1/4lb pp

Cook potatoes w/ skins in salted water (I use Yukon Gold or Red skinned) until fork tender, cool, peel and then cut into bite sized pieces. Add oil olive (~1/4cup) until it is well absorbed into potatoes (this will help the potatoes to not absorb all the mayo), add thinly sliced onions, salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar, mayo and a pinch of sugar. If you want you can add fresh chopped parlsey and peas.

If you like garlic, Epicurious.com has a great potato salad recipe w/garlic mayo. Here is the link.

Potato Salad w/garlic mayo

Niecey, Penne Alla Vodka at your BBQ??? Can you come to mine on Sunday??

I have a couple of good pasta salad recipes, that can be made in advance and are really yummy and go great with bbq. Here is the recipe for one:

1 pound penne pasta (cooked in salted water)
1 1/2 cups sundried tomatoes in oil sliced
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons liquid from jar of sundried tomatoes
1 medium red onion (sliced thin and soaked in cold water for 20 minutes & then dried)
20 (or to taste) fresh basil leaves julienne
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf italian parsley
1 tablespoon fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt
6 tablespoons fresh parmesan cheese.

Combine all ingredients together and refridgerate. Serve at room temperature. This easily serves 8 people as a side dish.

Coleslaw!!! I love a good coleslaw!!!!

I also love buttered corn on the cob right on the grill. I fond in Women's World a good recepie for grilled french fries. If you want it, FM me!