Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Need some ideas for a BBQ for just 5 adults!
Oh and its a Faux-BQ because everything will need to be able to be made INSIDE (oven and grill pan)

Ideas & quantities please I want some variety, but also don't want to be overwhelmed or have many leftovers!

I was thinking fresh squeezed lemonade as the drink.

Strawberry shortcakes for dessert? Or maybe blackberry pie bars? Something with fresh fruit definitely!

Maybe sliders instead of regular burgers?

Sausage & peppers?

Chicken?

Some kind of caprese salad with either orzo or bowties?


ORRRRRRRR

Just saw the ribs are on sale this week at my supermarket.

Should I go totally simple and do:

Oven-roasted ribs, baked beans, corn bread and salad?

Message edited 5/26/2010 3:14:20 PM.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Definitely do sliders! Turkey sliders are awesome too. Maybe 2-3 per person, if men.

BBQ pulled pork that you can do in the crockpot. I'd do like a 3lb. pork loin, because it does cook down.

My mom makes some awesome lemon garlic chicken wings that she does in the oven first, then puts on the grill to crisp up. Maybe a dozen.

You can never go wrong with a pasta salad.

Message edited 5/26/2010 2:44:42 PM.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

if you have a crockpot, i made turkey sloppy joes w/ bbq sauce the other night.
serve w/ rolls, and potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, etc for sides

really easy recipe:
1 lb ground turkey
3 cups shredded cabbage
2 cups bbq sauce

brown meat in skillet 1st
then
combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Love the idea of simple ribs! And you can make them a variety of ways; dry rub, wet rub, all the different sauces...YUMM!

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

I really love burgers and dogs on Memorial Day. I don't know why.. it just.. feels right.

I'd do bleu cheese burgers on toasted buns with red onion and green goddess dressing, baby brats with saurkraut, kettle chips, and a veggie crudite. For dessert.. maybe tropical fruit salad over vanilla bean ice cream.

Message edited 5/26/2010 8:07:43 PM.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

I put minced garlic, worcestershire sauce, fresh ground pepper and just a tiny bit of bleu in the ground sirloin. grill and add a little bleu crumble on top for the last couple of minutes of grilling... it doesn't fully melt but it kind of smooshes and releases some of that moisture into the burger. I like to top with baby romaine, thick slices of summer tomato, some red onion and then drizzle with some green goddess dressing. Package it on toasted brioche or a toasted bun and it is DELICIOUS. And.. I don't know.. it's very 'American' to me. For summer I don't love fries too often - they feel too heavy. So I'd make some crispy kettle chips and wedges of pickle to plate it with. Put a plate of raw veg with more green goddess dressing for dipping and it's a party. I'd do some watermelon lemonades too. I slice the watermelon, pick out the bigger seeds (if not seedless) and puree in the blender. Add lemon juice, water and sugar to taste and mix. Pour into tall glasses with big chunks of ice and add a mint sprig. Nice taste of summer. If you aren't nursing you can add a couple of shots of vodka to the mix too! That's what I'll be drinking Sunday at the beach!

I'm thinking a fruit pizza would be a really nice dessert too. It's one of my favorites! I don't use sugar cookie crust though.. I find it to be too sweet and overpowering. I usually make a graham cracker crust in a brownie pan - then spread the cream cheese mixture (light on the sugar) and top it with fruit.

PS - I don't find you weird. Rob hates pork chops but loves bacon and also loves my meatloaf and wontons!

Message edited 5/27/2010 1:58:56 PM.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Posted by rojerono

I put minced garlic, worcestershire sauce, fresh ground pepper and just a tiny bit of bleu in the ground sirloin. grill and add a little bleu crumble on top for the last couple of minutes of grilling... it doesn't fully melt but it kind of smooshes and releases some of that moisture into the burger. I like to top with baby romaine, thick slices of summer tomato, some red onion and then drizzle with some green goddess dressing. Package it on toasted brioche or a toasted bun and it is DELICIOUS. And.. I don't know.. it's very 'American' to me. For summer I don't love fries too often - they feel too heavy. So I'd make some crispy kettle chips and wedges of pickle to plate it with. Put a plate of raw veg with more green goddess dressing for dipping and it's a party. I'd do some watermelon lemonades too. I slice the watermelon, pick out the bigger seeds (if not seedless) and puree in the blender. Add lemon juice, water and sugar to taste and mix. Pour into tall glasses with big chunks of ice and add a mint sprig. Nice taste of summer. If you aren't nursing you can add a couple of shots of vodka to the mix too! That's what I'll be drinking Sunday at the beach!

I'm thinking a fruit pizza would be a really nice dessert too. It's one of my favorites! I don't use sugar cookie crust though.. I find it to be too sweet and overpowering. I usually make a graham cracker crust in a brownie pan - then spread the cream cheese mixture (light on the sugar) and top it with fruit.

PS - I don't find you weird. Rob hates pork chops but loves bacon and also loves my meatloaf and wontons!

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

I'd like to recommend a dessert that we bring to bbq's quite often. It's not fruit but it's really good...

Smore's Brownie

A tip.. before you sprinkle on the marshmallows, we add a thin layer of fluff first otherwise the marshmallows come off when you try to cut the brownie into squares.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

That blackberry bar looks soooo good. I also loove the tip about using Fluff in the S'mores brownies.

Green Goddess is easy... and you can adjust the ingredients to your taste. My gf uses less lemon/vinegar than I do because she likes the taste a little smoother while I like it zippy.

2:1 Mayo to sour cream
handful of chopped chives and scallions
handful of fresh parsley
1:1 lemon juice to vinegar (I like champagne vinegar, but have also used white and apple cider)
a few anchovies (no less than 2 but no more than 4). I drain them and give them a quick ice bath before I chop them finely.
Pinch of tarragon

Throw it ALL in your mini-prep or a blender and let it rip until blended. Add salt and pepper to taste and then decorate with some chives and scallions. It's kind of on the thicker side.. almost like ranch dressing.

ETA: And Hayley I would totally marry you - except then I'd become a lazy lout who sits around all day waiting for you to feed me. You'd wind up divorcing me for not helping!

Message edited 5/27/2010 5:26:05 PM.

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

ummmmm...I'm sitting here drooling at the computer

Can I be the child in this marriage so I can just sit and eat???

Re: Memorial Day Faux-BQ ideas

Posted by Little-J-Mommy

ummmmm...I'm sitting here drooling at the computer

Can I be the child in this marriage so I can just sit and eat???