When the weather warms up, the opportunities to enjoy more time outdoors increase. For many people, that means firing up the grill to cook dinners in the backyard and also hosting friends and family for outdoor gatherings around the patio. A few strategies may help hosts to have a successful barbecue.
One element of a successful barbecue is making sure everyone goes home with their appetite satisfied by delicious foods. However, ensuring people do not fall ill also is vital. Hosts should keep in mind that the temperature outdoors impacts the rate of spoilage for raw and cooked foods. Hot foods should always be kept hot, and cold foods should be kept cold by placing items on ice or in coolers. The Food and Drug Administration advises moving leftovers indoors promptly and discarding any items that have been sitting outside for longer than two hours at room temperature. Items should be moved indoors or discarded even more quickly in hot conditions.
Cooks may consider learning to smoke food. Grilling is one skill, and smoking is another. As the popularity of food smokers has increased, prices have come down. Novices can visit barbecue competitions and talk to professionals about their tips for smoking foods or learn more by watching tutorials online. Smoked foods take a lot of time to cook, allowing hosts an opportunity to mingle with guests.
Hosts should consider serving only a handful of items to cut down on the amount of preparation required. Two main proteins and three side dishes on the menu are adequate. Chips or other premade snacks can fit the bill. Condensing options also reduces how much needs to be managed. Hosts should be sure to have options for those with food allergies or intolerances when planning the menu.
Setting up clusters of seating may be a good idea. Grouping sets of chairs at tables around the yard encourages guests to mingle, helps space out people for social distancing and avoids a bottleneck around the food.
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