Summer Grillin’ — Skybox Event Productions

Jul 3

Jul 3 Summer Grillin’

So the sun is shining, the pool is crystal clear, what is better than an outdoor barbeque with your friends? I have three things to tell you to help make it work. Keep it simple, keep it classy, and always have it “saucy”. Here are some great ideas for you to spice up your next outdoor summer event with your friends and family.

So when it is hot all day, you don’t want to worry about making some large feast for people. I say keep it simple. Go to the store and grab the following things to make your BBQ a hit.

2 things to drink (I recommend some pre-mixed iced tea lemonade to make things simple and maybe a refreshing sangria.)
2 types of protein (Lets go with a big juicy steak and chicken thighs)
2 types of veg. (Corn is sweet and delicious in the summer while also being extremely affordable. Summer tomatoes are fresh, juicy, and bursting with flavor)

Dessert (Keep it simple with your classic summer watermelon. Huge wedges displayed on a tray are always a mouthwatering sight to see.)

Done.

Keeping it classy doesn’t mean you need to stretch your buck to make things work. Use what you have at home to make sure your party stays elegant while also casual.

Don’t use paper & plastic. No need to waste disposable wears on a party with friends. You’ll need to keep a trashcan outside to gather all the trash, then it starts to smell and attract the flies. Not classy. Use your basic white china. Simple, clean, and environmentally friendly.

Linens are always a must for an outdoor affair. Choose something that you already have. A solid blue or yellow table cloth will really help to give you a blank canvas for your table, and pop the color with fun colorful napkins. If you don’t have fun colors at home, don’t worry. Stick with white and stick a fresh bouquet of flowers in the center. Something inexpensive, but with your favorite bright summer colors to add décor.

Making things “saucy” is how you are going to set your self apart from the next barbeque. Have a sauce bar to bring your grilled eats to the next level, while also showing off your culinary expertise.

First, keep the meats simple. Rub with a little canola oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cook to perfection.

Second, sauce it up. I say have three different sauces to keep things fun and exciting. Classic BBQ sauce. A “Carolina” style mustard based BBQ sauce. And an exotic Mediterranean chimichurri. Now the first two you can buy, but the last one you will probably need to make at home. But don’t worry. It is simple, delicious, and has very few ingredients. Below is a recipe that my culinary expert Jay has made for us:

Chimichurri Sauce

1 bunch of Italian Parsley or Cilantro (you can also use half and half)
2 Lemons (zested and juiced)
6 cloves of garlic
1 cup of olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Blend everything in a blender, or chop everything up fine and combine with olive oil. Keep it chunky so everyone can tell what is in it. Refreshing, vibrant, delicious flavors that pairs well with any grilled meats, be it beef, fish, or chicken.

Use these tips to help make your barbeque successful and keep us posted on how it went.

Now photos of my handsome husband out on the grill: