Hosting a BBQ - any appetizer or dessert ideas?

[CJK]

I posted this on the cooking board, but I'm not sure how much traffic that board gets these days. Here's the post:
I'm hosting my annual family bbq next weekend, and I need some creative ideas for both appetizers and desserts. In the past, I've done veggies w/dip, nacho dip layers, tortilla pinwheels, etc.. I need a new idea, preferrably something I could do in advance. Also, any dessert ideas? I usually make an assortment of squares with one main dessert. I do this annually, so I'm running out of ideas! Thanks for any input! FYI - the ages of my guests range from 2 to 86!

 

[DWGal210]

Hi CJK - here are a few ideas:

For an appetizer, one thing we do a lot is to take a brick of cream cheese, softened a tad, and then just pour over it some pepper jelly (or sweet jelly if you want). I just put the brick of cream cheese on a platter, pour over the jelly and then serve with Ritz or any kind of crackers. It's super easy and cheap, and at least in my family, kids AND adults really like this one!

For a dessert, I don't know if you've ever done this before, but I like to bake cupcakes in the ice cream cones vs making regular cupcakes. You just pour the prepared batter into the ice cream cones and bake the time it gives you for cupcakes. It kind of "fancies up" the normal cupcake and the kids gone NUTS over these.

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I'm not a real great cook and so these are things that have always worked for me.

Have fun at your BBQ!

 

[java]

This is a thread I bookmarked that I use all the time for ideas for appetizers

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=982433

And dessert at BBQ's we always have those Magic square layer bars- with nuts and coconut.
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
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DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 13x9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a fork.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store covered at room temperature.

 

[kimmar067]

...you can try this. It's simple and elegant and tastes great too. Purchase a package of clear plastic jewel-cut glasses. They are not too expensive and you can throw them away, but they help make the dessert look elegant and 'fancier'. Make 2 boxes of Vanilla Instant pudding (I think, by Jell-o) and add 1 small can of Reddi-Whip whipped cream. Don't stir this too much - you want it to stay 'light' and fluffy. Using 2 cans of cherry pie filling (I think the best is Comstock), put a layer of the pudding at the bottom of each glass, and then a layer of cherry pie filling, alternating between the two ingredients until each glass is filled. Place in the refrigerator for about an hour to chill. Put a dollop of whipped cream on top just before serving.

 

[Mom21]

Will you have access to electricity? If so there are lots of good crockpot apps. Some I use:

Meatballs
BBQ little franks
Mexican Dip with Tostitos (i've had friends put this in a cup and eat it with a spoon--LOL)

others (no electricity needed):
Sausage balls
spinach/artichoke dip (my 12yo makes this and her friends love it believe it or not)
Cut veggies with dip
Fruit with dessert dip (oh so yummy)

Desserts::

oreo pie
Pina Colada Cake
pineapple Cheesecakes Squares
Pig Pickin' Cake
Cherry Pound cake
Blueberry Salad
No Bake Mile-High Banana Split Pie
Surprise Cupcakes (chocolate eggs in the cupcake
Haystacks
Pecan cups
magic cookie bars

not sure if you will have access to fridge as I am sure most wouldn't hold up under lots of heat. I have recipes if you want. I am sure I have more, but this is a start.

 

[etoiles]

You could do sweet and sour meatballs in a crockpot or those little sausages. I also have a recipe for a cranberry sauce that you heat the meatballs in that is just thrown together - can of cranberry sauce, some Russian dressing, brown sugar and lemon juice. That would be very low maintenance if you got frozen meatballs!

Paual Deen has a recipe that has been a real hit in our house. I made all the rolls ahead of time at least a day and then sliced them into spirals at the last minute and served with salsa for dip. Oh, I just noticed that you have done something similar but I promise these are delicious.

Fruit dip with cinnamon chips is another hit.

Bruschetta would be another idea. Get the chopped tomatoes all ready and toast the bread and just assemble at the last minute. Deviled eggs could be made ahead of time as well.

Dessert I recommend this Strawberry Whipped Sensation. It looks beautiful but is so easy to make. My MIL requested this multiple times after I made it once.

I also made this chocolate trifle before and it was a hit. It looks best if you have a nice clear bowl to serve it in.

 

[terri01p]

Ice cream sandwich cake :

Take ice cream sandwiches and layer in a pan, cover with whip topping, sprinkle with chocolate chips, nuts m&m's...people go nuts over this!!!

 

[karibritt01]

We make a great salsa dip. 1 block cream cheese (soft) and 1 cup mild slasa. Cream it together, and refridgerate over night. Serve with tortilla chips. This dip is adictive, and lots pf people request that I bring it to parties. For dessert, a southern favorite at BBQs is banana pudding. You could also do an assortment of homemade cookies.

 

[bekkiz]

I'm doing these for a shower tomorrow!

http://www.saltandchocolate.com/2008/08/caprese-salad-on-stick_20.html

You can just put them on a tray, but I bought a piece of foam, and I'm going to try and stick the toothpicks into the foam.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Spicy Watermelon Salsa

9 cups of cubed watermelon without the rind.
1 bell pepper chopped small
1 Jalapeno minced... discard about 1/2 the seeds and all of the "ribs"
Juice of 1 Lime
2 tsp of garlic powder
1 scallion ( green onion ) chopped.... all the white, and half the green
Chopped Cilantro for garnish


Mix in a large bowl. Get it nice and cold. Add the cilantro as garnish if you want.

I am literally eating this as I type.


EDIT... sometimes I even add a little minced habanero, but I like the heat.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Jalapeno Lemonade

Make your lemonade the way you like it. Take 1 or 2 Jalapenos. Slice the part with the stem off. Make sure that you can see inside the pepper at least a little. Drop them in the lemonade. Give them at least 30 minutes to "marinate".

Now you have options:

Let them continue to marinate or pull them out and slice longaways...then pull all seeds and ribs out and place the peppers back in the lemonade. If you let them saty in the lemonade without taking the seeds and ribs out, the lemonade will continue to get spicier.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

These are both really easy...



BBQ Kielbasa

Slice Kielbasa on the diagonal and throw in a crock pot with BBQ sauce and a few healthy shakes of tabasco.
Cook on high for 45 minutes, then reduce to low to serve.


Mexican Meatballs

Make meatballs the way you normally do but substitute crunched up tortilla strips for breadcrumbs and add diced jalepeno peppers.
Form appetizer size balls, either fry or bake.
Throw cooked meatballs in a crock pot with a large jar of tomato sauce (I use Prego) and a large jar of salsa. Heat through.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Hi CJK - here are a few ideas:

For an appetizer, one thing we do a lot is to take a brick of cream cheese, softened a tad, and then just pour over it some pepper jelly (or sweet jelly if you want). I just put the brick of cream cheese on a platter, pour over the jelly and then serve with Ritz or any kind of crackers. It's super easy and cheap, and at least in my family, kids AND adults really like this one!

For a dessert, I don't know if you've ever done this before, but I like to bake cupcakes in the ice cream cones vs making regular cupcakes. You just pour the prepared batter into the ice cream cones and bake the time it gives you for cupcakes. It kind of "fancies up" the normal cupcake and the kids gone NUTS over these.

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I'm not a real great cook and so these are things that have always worked for me.

Have fun at your BBQ!

What/where in the store is pepper jelly?? Near the regular grape jelly?? I've heard this recipe before but have no clue what pepper jelly is.

 

[krcit]

Ice cream sandwich cake :

Take ice cream sandwiches and layer in a pan, cover with whip topping, sprinkle with chocolate chips, nuts m&m's...people go nuts over this!!!

I was just going to post that!I put a layer of Cool whip in between the 2 layers of ice cream sandwiches and over the top and then I pour a bottle of Magic Shell over the whole thing, cover and freeze for about 8 hours. So good!!


The appetizer I make all the time and everyone loves is Buffalo Chicken Dip. Boil 2 chicken breasts(1 if it's big) and shred it. Mix together a block of cream cheese, 1 cup of Blue Cheese dressing and 1/2 to 1 cup(I use a whole cup)of Frank's Red Hot. Bake for about 30 minutes. Delicious! Serve with Scoops.

 

[TwingleMum]

Will you have access to electricity? If so there are lots of good crockpot apps. Some I use:

Meatballs
BBQ little franks
Mexican Dip with Tostitos (i've had friends put this in a cup and eat it with a spoon--LOL)

others (no electricity needed):
Sausage balls
spinach/artichoke dip (my 12yo makes this and her friends love it believe it or not)
Cut veggies with dip
Fruit with dessert dip (oh so yummy)

Desserts::

oreo pie
Pina Colada Cake
pineapple Cheesecakes Squares
Pig Pickin' Cake
Cherry Pound cake
Blueberry Salad
No Bake Mile-High Banana Split Pie
Surprise Cupcakes (chocolate eggs in the cupcake
Haystacks
Pecan cups
magic cookie bars

not sure if you will have access to fridge as I am sure most wouldn't hold up under lots of heat. I have recipes if you want. I am sure I have more, but this is a start.

Dear OP ~ Could you please share your recipe for Cherry POundcake, Mexican Dip and sausage balls???? Thank you

 

[terri01p]

I was just going to post that!I put a layer of Cool whip in between the 2 layers of ice cream sandwiches and over the top and then I pour a bottle of Magic Shell over the whole thing, cover and freeze for about 8 hours. So good!!

EVEN YUMMIER !!!!!! GREAT ! I will do this ....easy and good!

 

[kimmar067]

EVEN YUMMIER !!!!!! GREAT ! I will do this ....easy and good!

.....ohhhhh, you're adding bananas to yours?? Good idea....

 

[CJK]

Fabulous ideas! Thanks so much!!

 

[N&B'smom]

Just last week I made these

They're called Fudge Puddles, the recipe is here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fudge-Puddles/Detail.aspx

My friend just made a recipe she found online for Smore Bars and they were SO good!! Just a thought!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Not Mom 21, but here are my recipes for sausage balls, and mexican dips

Sausage balls

1 lb. hot sausage
1 lb. mild sausage
24 oz sharp chedder cheese
4 cups Bisquick

Mix all ingredients. Roll into small balls. Place on cookie sheets.

Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes, or until done (depends upon the size).

I've also done them w/ italian sausage, and mozzarella cheese.



Mexican dip

2 Cans of Shoe Peg Corn or sweet white corn
1 Can of Rotele Chopped Tomatoes w/green chilies
1 stick of butter
1 block of cream cheese
cumin


Sauté corn in butter for a couple of minutes and add tomatoes, then turn heat down to melt the cream cheese....when melted add cumin. I do not have an amount of cumin to use.....just to taste. It's a good bit of cumin...maybe 2 tbls at least. Keep trying it until you like the taste!! Serve warm/hot!

I use the Lime Tostado chips for a little snaz!

Also very good on celery





Another mexican dip

1 can hormel chili (no beans)
1 block mexican velveeta

Melt together and keep warm.



Here is one of the favorites around here


Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 cups cooked chicken, diced or chopped
--- or one large can/pouch of chicken
4-8 oz. Franks Hot Sauce
12-18 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 bunch celery, washed and cut into sticks
1 box chicken-flavored or other snack crackers

Preheat Oven: 350°

In a large bowl combine: chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, dressing and ½ of the shredded cheese. (Adjust the amounts of hot sauce and/or cream cheese to make the dip mild, medium or hot per your own taste.)

Pour mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake at 350º F for 25 to 30 minutes. I've also just done it in a crockpot, to keep warm. I usually just mix all the cheese into the dip too. I don't like the layer on top.

Serve with celery sticks and chicken crackers