Tag: bbq

Cooking, Entertainment, Holidays

How to Host a Memorial Day Party

Lora Knows...

One of the most enjoyable ways to celebrate Memorial Day is to throw an outdoor party for friends and family. Here are some fun party ideas!

Decorations

Memorial Day is a time to celebrate freedom, so go red, white and blue. Everything from flags, banners, balloons, flower arrangements, all the way down to plates, plastic wear, napkins and cups. If you’re feeling creative, you could spray-paint stars on the grass in your yard (just use a light touch to avoid killing the grass), tie-dye cloth napkins red, white, and blue, or make festive paper medallions to hang from tree branches or use as centerpieces for your tables.

Keep It Bug Free

Unfortunately, not all your party guests will be welcome ones. Luckily, there are several effective tactics to keep those pesky bugs away. Cover dishes with netted food tents, and give guests pretty cupcake liners to place over their cups when they’re not sipping their drinks. You can also put a few fans out to literally blow bugs away.

Fire Up The Grill

Hamburgers and hot dogs are classic fare. Be ready to grill up lots of these during the party. Have all the yummy condiments like ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, pickles, pickled onions, kimchi, and even grilled pineapple. For guests who prefer a meat free menu, you can also grill eggplant, portabella mushrooms, or veggie dogs and burgers.

Mix It Up

Cool beverages will be a must to pair with food, especially if it’s warm outside. Play up the red, white, and blue theme by serving glasses of patriotic-hued ice-cream soda or lemonade loaded with fresh strawberries and blueberries. For a vintage American feel, serve your drinks in Mason jars filled with ice to keep them cool all day long.

Festive Desserts

Blueberries, strawberries, and fresh cream can be combined to make all sorts of delicious treats in colorful renditions of the stars and stripes. For instance, topping cakes with these berries and cream is a simple way to make them patriotic. Other ways to inject American spirit into your desserts include creating red, white, and blue mini cupcakes, baking a berry American flag pie, or dipping pretzels into melted candy melts for colorful

Seating For All

If you’re hosting a bigger bash, you might find it tricky to provide enough chairs for everyone. You could always ask your guests to bring their own seating or rent some folding chairs, or you could embrace the outdoor setting by spreading out a few picnic blankets—the kids might love sitting on them.

Light It Up

To continue the fun after dark, hang string lights in the backyard and scatter lanterns filled with or battery-operated ones. While you’re at it, you could also light your firepit, if you have one, for extra ambience and roasting marshmallows and making s’mores.

Cooking

Delicious BBQ Chicken

Lora Knows...

Here’s a classic BBQ chicken recipe for you:

Ingredients:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (or your preferred cut of chicken)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (good store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prep the Chicken:
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin.
  • Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
  1. Prepare the Marinade:
  • In a bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). This will be your marinade and basting sauce.
  1. Marinate the Chicken:
  • Place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish.
  • Pour half of the barbecue marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated. Reserve the remaining marinade for basting later.
  • Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
  1. Preheat the Grill:
  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 350-400°F / 175-200°C). Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
  1. Grill the Chicken:
  • Place the marinated chicken on the grill, skin side down.
  • Close the lid and cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and nicely browned.
  • Flip the chicken over and baste the cooked side with the reserved barbecue marinade.
  1. Baste and Grill Again:
  • Close the lid and cook for another 6-8 minutes, then flip the chicken again.
  • Baste the second side with more marinade.
  • Continue grilling, flipping, and basting every 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
  1. Final Touch:
  • Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a clean plate.
  • If desired, brush on a final layer of barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
  1. Serve:
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
  • Serve the delicious BBQ chicken alongside your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, corn on the cob, or baked beans.

Enjoy your homemade BBQ chicken that’s bursting with smoky and tangy flavors. It’s perfect for a backyard barbecue or any occasion. If I do not make my own sauce, I use Stubbs.