Posted on 07/06/2016 3:47:58 PM PDT by Jamestown1630
My office is holding its annual Summer Barbecue in a couple of weeks. Calling it a 'barbecue' is a bit extravagant, as all we do is cook hot dogs and hamburgers on a propane grill ;-) and the stars of the show are usually the wonderful side dishes that folks from many different ethnic cuisines bring to the party.
This year it will be a much smaller affair, with our 'grill master' out on knee-replacement surgery, other staff leaving for new jobs, and lots of folks away for Summer.
But I have to come up with a side dish!
I was thinking of trying this 'Texas Pete Roasted Corn and Poblano Salad' that showed up in the coupon section of the newspaper recently (apologies for the size of the pic above; haven't figured that out, yet ;-(
https://www.texaspete.com/recipe/texas-pete-roasted-corn-and-poblano-salad
I'm also thinking of doing a Broccoli Salad – the one where you finely chop broccoli florets, pecans or walnuts, and onion, and mix it with a Mayo-Milk-Vinegar-Sugar dressing. I'm not sure how it would go over – my crew are not exactly 'health nuts', especially at parties; but I love it. Some recipes add bacon, and in this one Paula Deen really 'mixes it up':
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/broccoli-salad-recipe.htm
-JT
This week: Side Dishes for a Grill Party?
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-JT
Looks good.
And you’re very good at that!
-JT
Nix on all that you've read: you need to use soft baking potatoes, not waxy potatoes that hold their shape and don't take in the mayo that is lathered upon them.
Boil as many baking potatoes as you need. Fish them out when they're soft and peel off the skin. Put them in a bowl and if they don't fall apart, cut them in pieces. Add a small amount of minced onions and parsley as well as mayo, Dijon mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper. Stir it around. They will absorb the delicious mustard/mayo mix and you will have to mix more in until it has a highly delicious and deep flavor.
Cole Slaw? Use Savoy cabbage and mix in plenty of the dark and nutritious leaves. Add in a few minced sweet red peppers for additional flavor and color.It's pretty as well as delicious.
GOTHAM SALAD
METHOD Mix 8 c shredded iceberg, cup ea cooked beets, tomatoes,
hd-cooked eggs, ham, crisp bacon, poached chicken breast, Gruyere
--all diced.
SERVE tossed w/ Bergdorf's Gotham Salad Dressing.
DRESSING Puree tb diced red onion, 2 tb diced green bell,
1/4 cup+tb chili sauce, 2 tb sweet pickle relish, tsp tarragon vinegar,
1/2 tsp grated g/root, 1/4 c mayo, 1/2 tsp chp garlic, S/p.
They both look really good. When it comes to a party I usually go with the tried and true instead of something new. Besides mayo, bacon, sugar doesn’t sound overly healthy.
I’m coming up with my own variation of Laurie Colwin’s succotash - a most delicious version of corn and lima beans cooked with fresh ginger in a bath of chicken stock. I leave out the okra because I find it disgusting - unless someone here can prove me wrong!
Perhaps not ‘healthy’ according to various beliefs. But people gonna eat what they like, and leave what they don’t.
-JT
That sounds really good, especially the Ginger.
I haven’t cooked with Okra either, but I’ve always been intrigued...maybe someone out there has some Okra hints, to make those of us who just think ‘Slimy’, think Differently ;-)
-JT
I’ve been gone & missed this site! The corn salad looks good. I do love devilled eggs & I have made them w/ blue cheese mashed in, really delicious.
There is a restaurant in town that does a pretty classic potato salad, BUT they also add some cream cheese, chopped bacon & green onions or scallions. I swear I crave it.
These are two of my “go to” sides for taking places - really love them both and they have been ‘hits’ everywhere I’ve served them - both are similar to your two sides:
Broccoli Salad Supreme
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/broccoli-salad-supreme
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Fresh Corn Salad - Ina Garten
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/fresh-corn-salad-recipe.html
I’ve only made this with frozen corn since I didn’t have fresh available - still delicious. Fresh corn would be heavenly.
Are there children involved?
When I was a kid we had a hand crank ice cream mixer. Best ice cream you ever had. But you had to crank it for like a half hour (or whatever, I was a little kid). Now that I think of it, it only came out when there were gatherings with a bunch of little kids. Could it be that the parents were using this device to keep us kids busy and worn out during their party?
You’re right, baking potatoes are the way to go. I also will bake them & keep the skin on.....you get a drier, denser potato.
As far as okra goes I love deep fried okra, but it does not appeal any other way.
Just a shout out to Dan Quayle.... I totally understand why you wanted to put the e on potato. I always do.
I’m a Southerner. My baked Mac and cheese is the first thing to go. Your salad looks excellent! Go with what you know.
I’m not a health nut either but my gf makes a great broccoli salad like the one displayed and it has raisins and some seeds in it. it is very good. had some last night and you can buy locally at acme or giant
LOL! My husband’s family had one of those crank ice cream makers, and he has very fond memories of it! There were six kids, so it wasn’t that much of a chore ;-)
Another cool thing for parties, is getting people to make butter out of cream; just pass the jar around for shaking:
https://delishably.com/dairy/How-to-Make-Butter-in-a-Jar
-JT
Here is my go-to side dish. Get a can of VanCamps Pork’n’beans of appropriate size for guests. Use can opener to remove lid. Insert serving spoon in can and serve. Let’s eat. No bowl to wash!
Mmmmmm....Blue Cheese!
Deviled eggs are a staple in our house, but I never thought of Blue Cheese. Will Try!
-JT
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