Menu opinions for BBQ.

[Gypsy]

I''ve having some people over for a BBQ lunch and wanted to get some opinions on the menu idea I''ve got floating around. No one is a vegetarian. No one has food allergies. One of the guests doesn''t care for seafood, so we won''t be serving any. The guest list is not confirmed. So I could have as many as 9 people, but I''ve only got 5 confirmed right now (and that includes John and me).


I was thinking of doing skewered food as the ''main event'':

Chicken Breast Satay Skewers

Pork Tenderlion Skewers (John has a lovely marinade for pork)

Beef (Sirloin and lean) Teriyaki Skewers.

Green Apple and Green Papaya Salad Or just a Green Salad with an Asian Dressing OR a nice Asian Slaw

Fruit Skewers with Mango, melon, Pinapple Strawberries and Banannas for dessert (I wanted to do a chocolate fondue with this but John pointed out that we don''t have a double boiler, the facilities or a chocolate fountain to this with) with some kind of sauce. Maybe I can go to one of the gourmet groceries around here and find a nice jarred chocolate dipping sauce.

Does this sound good???


I wanted to do nice gingered sparkling wine and peach punch as alcohol, (we''ll have beer and wine on hand as well). And a nice tropical Iced Tea for the non-drinkers.

But I have no idea what to do as Appetizers. I normally do breads, cheeses, grapes (figs if in season), olives and salami and some italian sliced meats as apps. But it doesn''t go with this menu. Appetizer suggestions would be GREATLY welcome. I was thinking of a nice Tom Ka soup. But it''s a lunch and it''s in summer in CA so it''s gonna be hot/hot/hot. And soup... not so much. The Asian Bakeries around here have some lovely buns with filled meats and stuff. I could get some of those and quarter them. Dunno. Or maybe do sushi rolls, but only vegetarian ones. Like lovely avocado rolls, and cucumber rolls. That might be nice. And it is finger food. Suggestions, thoughts, and recipes welcome.




















Recipe section of the post:



Green Apple and Green Papaya Salad recipe I found:

Ingredients:
4 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
5 tablespoons water
2 ounces (1 small) carrot, in thin julienne
2 ounces Chinese daikon, in thin julienne (about 1/2 cup)
6 ounces green papaya, in thin julienne (about 1 cup)
6 ounces green mango, in thin julienne (about 1 cup)
4 ounces (1 small) Fuji apple, in thin julienne
4 ounces (about 1/2 medium) cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in thin julienne
10 mint leaves, cut into ribbons
10 basil leaves, cut into ribbons
6 sprigs cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped salted peanuts, divided use
2 tablespoons fried shallots, divided use
Dressing (See Recipe below)
Additional mint and basil leaves for garnish

Co''m Salad Dressing
4 servings
Hands on: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes

Like the salad it dresses, this sauce combines sweet, salty, hot and sour flavors. The restaurant recommends Three Crabs brand fish sauce.

4 tablespoons fish sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 small red chiles, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon coconut juice (not milk), optional

Instructions:
In a small glass bowl, combine sugar, vinegar and water. Add carrot and daikon and stir to coat. Allow to marinate overnight, stirring occasionally.
Lift the carrot and daikon out of the pickling liquid and place in a large serving bowl. Add the papaya, mango, apple, cucumber, mint, basil and cilantro and lightly toss. Add all but 2 teaspoons of the chopped peanuts and 1 tablespoon of the fried shallots. Toss with the dressing, then garnish with the reserved peanuts and fried shallots and additional chopped fresh mint and basil.
For Co''m Salad Dressing:
In a small bowl, combine fish sauce, water, lime juice, chiles, garlic, orange juice, rice vinegar, honey, sugar and coconut juice, if using. Mix and serve.







If anyone has a great chicken satay recipe I would appreicate it. Or an Asian Slaw Recipe. Or any other recipe that you think would work.

Here''s the ingredient list for satay marinade I''m developing (couldn''t find one I liked).

Fresh garlic cloves
Fresh Ginger
curry powder
coriander powder
soy or fish sauce
1/2 c. coconut milk
Lemongrass minced
turmeric
Brown sugar
Lime Juice

Peanut sauce (recipe I found):
5 oz roasted unsalted peanuts
4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
2 tbsp red curry paste
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 tsp fish sauce

 

[Ellen]

Well "Martha", I''m not sure if my appetizer suggestion would "go" with your lovely menu, but I have the recipe for stuffed cherry tomatoes that goes over extremely well every time I serve them.

I can post it if you like.

 

[neatfreak]

Sounds delicious Gypsy! I like the idea of veggie sushi as appetizers. You could also do a cucumber salad (japanese) which is a nice summery refreshing appetizer. It''s basically cucumbers in rice vinegar with a few other seasonings.

 

[whitby_2773]

gypsy -

it''s my birthday party next weekend, and i''m having an outdoor party with all finger food, so my head is kinda ''there'' at the moment. one of the things i''m serving which is lovely to start with, with drinks, is a herb cheese ball. it''s combined cream cheese, blue cheese, grated tasty and grated parmesan. you make it into a ball about the size of a softball, then roll it in fresh chopped herbs and serve it in the middle of a platter surrounded with crackers/melba toast. the taste is wonderful and people love it. it''s also no effort to serve as people tend just to sit around it and dig into it at their leisure. it also looks beautiful. let me know if you''re interested and i''ll shoot you over a recipe.

i also have a recipe for a fresh mango salsa which would go great with your menu - no cooking required, just chop and mix.

one other thing i''m doing is scallops wrapped in bacon and threaded on a skewer, served with cocktail sauce - yum!

let me know if you want any of those recipes - your menu sounds great!

 

[CJ2008]

Gypsy,

That sounds SO good! I like everything on it.

I think NF''s idea of a cucumber salad is excellent and goes so well with everything else.

Or you could do gazpacho (a cold tomato-based soup) - but I think the cucumber salad goes better.

 

[cellentani]

Dang, I got hungry just reading your menu, so I think you're definitely on the right track!! I've gotten various dumplings from Trader Joes before. They're super easy to prepare (steam for 3-5 minutes), and you can prepare a dipping sauce well ahead of time. Shu mai, pot stickers - anything would work.

And if you're grilling fruit skewers for dessert, a scoup of vanilla ice cream and a caramel sauce would be fantastic with them.

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 6/14/2009 10:59:17 AM
Author: cellentani
Dang, I got hungry just reading your menu, so I think you''re definitely on the right track!! I''ve gotten various dumplings from Trader Joes before. They''re super easy to prepare (steam for 3-5 minutes), and you can prepare a dipping sauce well ahead of time. Shu mai, pot stickers - anything would work.


And if you''re grilling fruit skewers for dessert, a scoup of vanilla ice cream and a caramel sauce would be fantastic with them.

ditto this!

 

[princessplease]

Sounds delicious!!! I''m drooling! I love the sushi as apps idea!!!!

 

[Clairitek]

I think the menu looks great and is a really interesting selection!

You can still do a chocolate fondue without a double boiler. I don''t own one but I just next two pots (one slight smaller than the other) or use a metal bowl nested into a pot.

I second (or third, or whatever) the veggie sushi idea as an appetizer but I am also a huge fan of a nice cheese board with some fruit and meats like you described.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

How about melon and prosciutto for an appetizer? I love that on a hot day.

Another option would be "mini caprese salad on a stick." Just halve grape tomatoes, put one end on a toothpick, follow with some fresh mozzarella, some basil, end with the other half of the tomato and drizzle on some balsamic. Finger sized portions of the salad!

Another option is herb filled (or pesto filled) cherry tomatoes. Yum!

ETA: I meant herbed cream cheese filled cherry tomatoes!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Just because someone doesn''t like seafood doesn''t mean you can''t have some for an app. You could do shrimp skewers with a ginger chili glaze and fresh spring rolls with hoisin/peanut sauce. I think those with the veggie roll idea would be smashing!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I saw screw 'em and order pizza

 

[whitby_2773]

gypsy - i was distracted this morning and shot off a reply not entirely useful to you. i've got a bit more time now, so thought i'd make a few better suggestions.

ok - how about sang choy bow? otherwise known as pork and lettuce rolls. it's refreshing because of the very crisp lettuce, it's tasty, it can be eaten with your hands (has to be, really), and it's delicious. and it can be made with no seafood.

home made gow gee. this has minced shrimp in it, but it can be subbed, as the main meat is minced pork and this can just be increased.

home made spring rolls, vegetarian or meat. or a selection, for that matter. i have recipes for both vietnamese and chinese if either take your interest.

i agree - soup in CA at this time of year - no. but how about a chilled soup? say... a chilled cucumber soup? that would be lovely before this meal.

and that mango salsa i suggested would go beautifully with your meal and any of your meats, so i'm going to give you that recipe as well.

1 mango, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
half red onion, very finely chopped
sweet thai chili sauce to taste
1/2-1 cup coriander/cilantro chopped, depending on taste

combine and chill. serve same day as made. serves 4-6


here's a recipe for the world's easiest cucumber and mint soup...

2 cups plain soy yoghurt
1 1/2 cups Japanese or young English cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
(make sure the first four ingredients are chilled)
Salt to taste
2 teaspoons ground cumin
red rose petals and finely chopped mince for garnish

place all ingredients except rose petals and garnish mint in a blender and process till *just* smooth. add salt to taste.
ladle into bowls and sprinkle with extra mint.

decorate the edge of the plate the bowl sits on with red rose petals; this symbolizes chi flowing in the blood

and last one - sang choy bow (this recipe only makes 8 rolls so you would probably need to double amounts)

1 lb minced pork
2 oz dried mushrooms
6 green onions
1 x 6 oz can water chestnuts
1/2 x 8 oz can bamboo shoots
2 tablespoons walnut oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce*
3 tablespoons dry sherry*
crisp iceberg lettuce leaves.

cover mushrooms in boiling water 30 mins. chop finely.
finely chop water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and green onions
heat oil in wok, add pork, toss till golden brown.
add mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and green onions and toss well. cook for one minute.
combine sesame oil, soy sauce and sherry. add to pan and combine thoroughly.

serve in a large serving bowl with lettuce leaves on a separate plate so guests can wrap their own. in your case, do 2 bowls and 2 platers of lettuce leaves for better access for your guests.

NB ** if you feel your non-seafood eating guests can tolerate this, cut the soy sauce and the dry sherry to 2 tablespoons each, and add 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce each. in my book, unless guests are flat out allergic, even people who dislike seafood aren't bothered by this and it improves the taste.

 

[Gypsy]

Okay... so you guys rock (and Tacori you made me laugh out loud... but these are VERY special guests and I want to have a really nice luncheon with them). Hudson I love the shrimp idea with the chili sauce. But... I'm okay with skipping seafood for this day. Though personally I could live off the stuff.

Ellen...

Not Martha, just really need some time with some friends to balance out all the work/family crud and you KNOW I enjoy a project. So this is now mine.

I'm definitely gonna do the Mango Salsa.
The sang choy bow is making me hungry just to look at it!

Fried meat spring rolls would never have occurred to me and I adore the idea. Vietnamese would be my preferred as I just adore these. So whitby if you don't mind... I'd love that recipe please, and thank you for all your great suggestions.

And the cucumber salad is a great idea as well. On the side of the spring rolls.


The fruit skewers I wasn't planning on grilling, but now that you mention it. Yeah. That sounds great. And there is a lovely caramel sauce I like I can pick up, and some nice vanilla ice cream (honestly I'd love to do a coconut or a ginger ice cream but I don't have a maker and vanilla is something everyone likes). That sounds like a done deal!

So

Apps:
Vegetarian Sushi Rolls
Home made Vietnamese Spring Rolls (oh man, YUMMO!) and Cucumber Salad

Main meal
Chicken Satay with Peanut sauce
Pork Tenderlion Skewers
Beef Terriyaki Skewers
Mango Salsa

The Green Papaya and Apple Salad

Dessert: GRILLED fruit skewers with Caramel Sauce (maybe a Chocolate sauce we'll see) and Vanilla Ice Cream.

"Cocktail".. Gingered Peach sparkling punch. Tropical iced tea. Beer and wine.

YAY! Lots of fun.

I loved a lot of the ideas you all had (and want to get recipes for future parties) but with the hot weather and everything I'm really leaning toward a more asian inspired menu for this party.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THE HELP AND THE SUGGESTIONS!!! ((HUGS))

 

[EricaR]

Rumor has it that a few of your guests may not be big seafood fans...

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/14/2009 10:12:50 PM
Author: EricaR
Rumor has it that a few of your guests may not be big seafood fans...

Nary a bit on the menu. Not even a WEE Bit.

 

[strmrdr]

don''t forget the dill pickles
The big kind, quartered.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/14/2009 10:14:04 PM
Author: strmrdr
don''t forget the dill pickles
The big kind, quartered.

I was actually gonna try my hand at some Daikon Kimchi, but opted not to scare the guests too much.

 

[cellentani]

Fabulous menu!! Tomorrow, I''m gonna start checking my box for an invite...

 

[Gypsy]

THere is a place by me that makes a really nice 'crowd pleasing' veggie chow mein. So I'll probably add that to the menu. It's five minutes away and a quick grab. And it will round out the entree portion of the meal with a nice carb dish.

Cellentani, Aww. Where do you live again honey?

 

[cellentani]

Date: 6/14/2009 10:45:12 PM
Author: Gypsy
THere is a place by me that makes a really nice ''crowd pleasing'' veggie chow mein. So I''ll probably add that to the menu. It''s five minutes away and a quick grab. And it will round out the entree portion of the meal with a nice carb dish.

Cellentani, Aww. Where do you live again honey?

I''ve had veggie lo mein, and I love it! I imagine chow mein is similar? And Gypsy, I''m waaaaaay over in VA - hey, at least you don''t have to worry about me crashing your BBQ!

 

[whitby_2773]

one vietnamese fresh spring roll recipe coming right up!

1lb of whatever meat takes your fancy, minced. this can be chicken, beef, pork, seafood, or a combo. i tend to go with pork.
3-5 garlic cloves, depending on taste
salt
3 1/2 oz dried mung bean vermicelli (commonly known as cellophane noodles - any asian grocery store will have these)
roasted peanuts
20-25 rice paper wrappers, about 6 1/2" round
40 fresh mint leaves
10 garlic chives, cut in half, sub green onions if you cant find the garlic chives

cook the meat in a frypan with garlic and salt to taste till golden.
bake peanuts for 5 mins on 400 deg F
soak the vermicelli for 5 mins in very hot water. drain well and use kitchen scissors to chop roughly into shorter lengths
dip your rice paper wrappers, one at a time, into warm water for approx 30 seconds until pliable. remove carefully
place wrapper on work surface, add one heaped teaspoon of noodles along the bottom third of the paper, leaving room at the sides to fold in.
top with 2 whole mint leaves, a few peanuts, and one heaped teaspoon of the cooked meat.
fold in the sides, then roll firmly.
add the garlic chive or green onion so that it protrudes at the side about 1 1/2 - 2"
repeat, and lay wrapped spring rolls seam-side down on a serving plate.
serve as close to assembling as possible.


dipping sauce

2 tablespoons satay sauce
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 red chili, finely minced, seeds removed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
double/triple/quadruple the above amounts depending on # of guests

serve in a small side dish or drizzle over spring rolls.

be aware - these are fresh spring rolls, not fried - much nicer taste IMO and much less fatty - wont make your guests feel bloated and overly full before you start lunch!

recipe makes about 20.

i''ve made this recipe and it''s a knock out - it''s new to most people and it''s a bit of an ''oooooh'' moment.

hope it all goes well - the final menu sounds great! (have you thought about green tea ice cream with your dessert? it''s delicious and would extend your asian theme. i know trader joe''s sells a product called ''Machi Balls'' in the ice cream section, and they come in green tea. they''re delicious. not sure who in your area would sell normal green tea ice cream, but might be worth asking...)

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you Whitby!

Very excited about the BBQ now.

 

[pinkstars]

Are you still looking for a chicken satay recipe? This is my favorite recipe. I don''t have a peanut sauce recipe, but I love the flavor that the chicken has after it''s marinated awhile.
It sounds like you have a delicious lunch planned!

 

[whitby_2773]

Date: 6/15/2009 12:59:03 AM
Author: Gypsy
Thank you Whitby!


Very excited about the BBQ now.

you''re welcome, gypsy. you do realize that everyone who''s read your menu is going to beat a path to your door, dont you?

got room for a coupla hundred (thousand!) hungry pricescopers with time on their hands??

i hope it goes great guns for you - it sounds like it will be wonderful; such great menu choices!

somewhere i have a recipe for sweet and spicy nuts; nuts covered in sugar and hot spices then baked. it''s a great asian themed nibbly to have with drinks, either before or after the meal. if i can find it i''ll put the recipe up; they''re easy, can be made ahead of time, and are one of those touches which - years later - have people saying "remember when you did that lunch, and you made those nuts...?"

will see if i can find it today.

 

[dragonfly411]

Gypsy - I know I''m a bit late, but your menu sounds fantastic!!! I love the green papaya idea! how was it? Did everyone enjoy?

 

[whitby_2773]

ok - here we go....

honeyed walnuts and pecans

8oz walnut and pecan halves
3/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/4 cup extra fine white sugar
2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili
1 teaspoon ground dried coriander

canola oil

combine honey, lemon juice and soy sauce.
add nuts and allow to stand minimum 2 hours (or overnight if more convenient), turning occasionally
drain nuts
combine sugar and spices
toss nuts thoroughly in sugar/spice mixture, coating well
heat sufficient oil in frypan/wok to just cover nuts till very hot.
add nuts and cook till golden brown
drain well and cool store in an airtight container if made ahead of time.

perfect with pre dinner drinks of after dinner coffee - especially espresso

 

[Gypsy]

Thank you Pinkstars, I am still looking.

Whitby, John makes amazing roasted nuts. Yum. I''ll have him try your recipe, especially as we have everything for it in the house! Thank you!



Hi Dragonfly... not yet, BBQ is next week! I plan things in advance. Plus, got a lot of grocery shopping to do (at the Asian Grocery, which is one of my favorite places to shop!)

 

[swimmer]

Hi Gypsy!
We were grilling fruit this weekend and strawberries didn''t work so well, but peaches were fabu. Of course mango, pineapple, bananas, and apples (sprayed with lemon to ward off the evil brown), worked great and carmelized all over each other. I would have used aluminum foil in hindsight, the natural sugars are a beast to clean. You might get the strawberries to work, but we just weren''t thrilled with it like the mango etc which were glorious.

The only thing I would add to the menu is mint! nothing freshens up a drink or a side like mint.

 

[dragonfly411]

Gypsy - well do share when it happens!!!


Something that I''ve enjoyed recently is bleu cheese melted over baked potato chips (like sea salt baked barbecue chips maybe? Or home made chips?)