Since we're already talking about food...

jasmineh7777

What are your favorite BBQ foods? A friend of ours is shipping out to Afghanistan in a few weeks, and we are having a BBQ for him before he leaves for training.

I've never hosted a bbq before, or cooked in large quantities, and we'll be feeding a bunch of big military-type guys.

Pretend you're a manly-man, what do you want to eat at my bbq?
Also, is it really silly to use some 4th of July style decorations?

npasquale16

I would think serious meat, as in ribs, grilled steaks, brats, hot dogs, haumburgers, etc.  We also heat fried chicken on the grill, which is delicious. 

For sides--pasta, potato, macaroni salads, chips and dips, grilled vegetables (if you brush them with olive oil, pepper and salt before grilling they are AWESOME).

IDK about the decorations--I like it, but I don't know how guys would take it.  Actually, they probably wouldn't notice.

MarriedInAFever

Ask the North Carolina girls! It's my FI's favorite and he's been raving about it all the time I've known him after he moved from there.

katiewhompus

I think the decorations would be fun.

Ugh, I asked Dh his opinion and he gave me nothing! I will have to channel my inner manly man...

I'm seeing...
hamburgers, hot dogs, hot wings...maybe some baked beans, chips...

SarahPLiz

Beef Ribs. Eating those large mastadon looking things makes me feel like Wilma Flintstone. Yabba Dabba Do!

ricksang

My H would want a big hamburger and baked beans and cupcakes or some type of layerd pudding thing.

jasmineh7777

Ha Sarah!

Grilled vegetables sound really good. And hot wings are always a good idea.
Any idea how much meat per person?

ricksang

Yes he would eat ribs as well.

LedZeppelin

...and now I'm craving BBQ.

I second the ribs and brats! FI's friend cooks them in beer on the stove before grilling. They are really good!

*Edit - He cooks the brats in beer first, not the ribs.

npasquale16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_were-already-talking-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f0b33202-6bf1-468a-ae7d-91c00dfce2d6Post:c8d30000-5d30-4af0-a138-aa9dc88ce734">Re: Since we're already talking about food...</a>:
[QUOTE]Ha Sarah! Grilled vegetables sound really good. And hot wings are always a good idea. A<strong>ny idea how much meat per person?</strong>
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
This statement could  go so many ways!

But, to answer your question, we usually try to figure it out between what we're serving and how many people are coming.  So, if we're just doing hamburgers and hot dogs, I'd figure one burger, two hot dogs for each and average it out.  These are
guys, though, so I'd raise the estimate.

ETA--One burger/Hot dog estimate plus whatever sides we were serving.

SarahPLiz

If you are doing brisket or chicken I generally go with 1/2 to 3/4 lb of meat per person. For girls, 1 burger or 2 hot dogs. For guys, I'd double that.  

jasmineh7777

Pasquale! :O

I've never made ribs before. I'll have to give it a try before this weekend.

jasmineh7777

I don't know what a brisket is.  The only food I really cook is Italian, and that's not bbq appropriate.

shellydiane820

Fruit Salad!

katiewhompus

Maybe make some chili in a big crockpot?

sarah0725

Deviled eggs! They're the answer to everything, and they're always a hit, but nobody our age ever makes them.

jasmineh7777

Fruit Salad, Yummy yummy.

I've made onion soup burgers before, and H really liked them. I could do those, brats, ribs, and hot wings.

jasmineh7777

I make deviled eggs every Easter! (and yet I've never eaten one). Deviled eggs and fudge are the only things I can make in large quantities.

And Hi Sarah!

Aedes18

Mac and Cheese for sure and  pie. Maybe apple or berry pies. They scream America to me.

SarahPLiz

HA. I forget not everyone is in TX. Brisket is its own food group here. 

Fruit salad sounds good, especially since its summer and berries and melons are in season. 

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_were-already-talking-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f0b33202-6bf1-468a-ae7d-91c00dfce2d6Post:34397f43-d59a-40b9-b7f2-753389982e85">Re: Since we're already talking about food...</a>:
[QUOTE]I make deviled eggs every Easter! (and yet I've never eaten one). Deviled eggs and fudge are the only things I can make in large quantities. And Hi Sarah!
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]

You should try your deviled eggs - why don't you eat them?

I also second mac and cheese, but homemade. It's pretty easy, and there are lots of ways to do it.

katiewhompus

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_were-already-talking-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:f0b33202-6bf1-468a-ae7d-91c00dfce2d6Post:caf2308f-de00-4b4b-ab41-713acc293766">Re: Since we're already talking about food...</a>:
[QUOTE]Deviled eggs! They're the answer to everything, and they're always a hit, but nobody our age ever makes them.
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

Scott makes the best deviled eggs that ever existed. He did 50 eggs (so 100 halves) for 20 people this summer and they were gone within minutes.

jasmineh7777

Eggs and I have a strange relationship. I don't like them when I can recognize them. I tried scrambled eggs for the first time this summer.

Are you still in Europe?

spgbla

OK, this I know about.
A menu I would cook would look something like this:
ribs (beef and pork)
chicken
hot links and hot dogs (the Nathan's or Hebrew National version)
baked beans
corn on the cob
cole slaw or potato salad or macaroni salad
rolls
Have the beer. (We're talking about military guys. No wine needed)

My husband is military also and the 4th of July decorations are totally appropriate.

As far as serving size:
At least 3-4 ribs/person
1 chicken/person
2-3 hot dogs/person

You may think I'm joking but I'm not about portions.

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_were-already-talking-food?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:f0b33202-6bf1-468a-ae7d-91c00dfce2d6Post:db234ebf-9518-4607-adfc-1b188e87ef63">Re: Since we're already talking about food...</a>:
[QUOTE]Eggs and I have a strange relationship. I don't like them when I can recognize them. I tried scrambled eggs for the first time this summer. Are you still in Europe?
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]

I am, which is why I haven't really been around! I find it's usually pretty dead when I have time to post, with the time difference. I'm just starting my third week in Rome, fourth week total for the trip. After this week, I have two weeks in Naples/Amalfi Coast, and then I'll be heading home.

jasmineh7777

Thanks Sp! That really helps a lot.

Sounds like a blast Sarah. How is your research going?

spgbla

No worries ;^)