The end of the summer is quickly approaching, which means barbecue season is coming to a close. Why not end the summer with a bang and throw one of the best barbecues for your family and friends? Preparing ahead of time can relieve you of stress and allow you to fully enjoy the company of your guests. Complete the below tasks prior to your barbecue and let the party begin.
Prepare Food
A majority of the food you will serve at your barbecue can be prepared ahead of time. Make any pasta salads and dishes that need to be kept cold the day before, so all you have to do is put the food out when it is time to be served. For any type of chicken or meat, marinate it the night before. This will give the food itself a very flavourful taste when you grill it. Any fruit that needs to be cut, such as watermelon can be done the night before also; just be sure to refrigerate it afterwards. Preparing the food ahead of time will make cooking easier and less time consuming.
Utensils
Gather all of the utensils you will need for the day of the barbecue. Some items that can come in handy are place mats silverware, plates, baskets, a lazy susan, and other serving materials. Consider organizing your barbecue tools the night before. For example, if you are using bowls or platters for specific food items such as chips or rolls, place the unopened bags in the bowl or on the platter so you know specifically where you want it to go. This will save a lot of time and confusion the day of the barbecue, especially if some of your guests decide to help.
Drinks
Every barbecue needs tropical drinks. Think of what drinks you would like to serve ahead of time and have all the ingredients ready to go the day of. Set up the bar area the night before with everything needed to make the drinks that don’t need refrigeration. Some easy drinks to serve are pre-made margaritas, strawberry daiquiris and mudslides. The pre-made drinks are sold with or without alcohol in them, which makes it convenient.
Gather your favourite summer place mats along with your lazy susan and grab a tropical drink to end the summer the right way. Complete all of the preparing ahead of time to enjoy your remaining barbecues with your families and friends.