Food on the Run
As if cooking for a crowd in your own kitchen isn't challenging enough, you're now staring down the ultimate summer challenge: packing it all in the car and taking the meal to go. Our easy, low-cost recipes use just a few ingredients (less stuff to schlep when you hit the road), and ready-made and packaged foods will round off your outdoor get-together. As we like to say around here, it's easier than you think!
- No-Cook Snacks
Think portable and inexpensive when choosing food for the road. Your club store will have high-energy snacks like trail mix, roasted nuts, and dried fruit that are budget-friendly to buy in bulk and travel well. Slice big blocks of cheese before you leave; fruit and vegetable trays will save prep time (just make sure they're not too big for the cooler). Be sure to pack food bound for the cooler in airtight containers-there's nothing worse than soggy sandwiches.
- Simple Recipes
Big flavor, easy prep, few ingredients, and low cost-per-serving are the four pillars of good food to go. Our featured recipes all fit the bill.
Meatball Skewers on the Grill with Southwestern Chili Dip are an easily portable food item for the grill. The day before your grilling adventure, thaw meatballs in the refrigerator. Cut up vegetables for skewers (remember to keep pieces big so they are easy to skewer!) and place in a big resealable bag in the refrigerator. Mix up the Southwestern Chili Dip and store in a sealed plastic container in the refrigerator. The next morning, toss everything in a cooler on ice and you are ready to go. (Just don't forget to pack the skewers!) Assemble the skewers once you get to your party site, or let guests create their own.
A Barbecue Bar is a fun and easy party food because it requires so little preparation from you! Heat the BBQ tray right before you're ready to go. Wrap hot tray in a towel and place in a cooler (no ice or cold things!) or in a cardboard box for transport. In a separate cooler (with ice this time) pack bags of shredded cold slaw, relish, sliced tomatoes and other favorite toppings--and don't forget the buns. Once at your picnic site, lay out all the ingredients for BBQ sandwiches and let guests make their own.
Aloha Salmon Burgers are a fun twist on traditional burgers. Thaw the salmon burgers in the refrigerator the night before for quicker grilling, then pack them in a cooler on ice along with the other ingredients for transport. Make sure to keep the salmon burgers cold until you put them on the grill. A can of pineapple slices is a cinch to throw in with the rest of your supplies. Be sure to remember the can opener if your can isn't a pull-top.
Cheese Sticks on the Grill are an unexpected treat at any barbecue. The key to delicious grilled cheese sticks is keeping them frozen until you're ready to put them on the grill so that cheese doesn't ooze out when they get hot. Your best bet? Pack them last-minute, and bury them in ice in the cooler.
- Thirst Quenchers
Dedicate a special cooler just for drinks (if it's got wheels, even better–liquids are the heaviest thing you'll be toting to your destination). You'll want plenty of water so no one dehydrates in the hot summer sun. Also pack soda (2-liter bottles are an inexpensive option for a big crowd), a big jug of iced tea, and lemonade. Before bringing beer or other alcoholic beverages to a park, beach, or other public place, check to make sure it's allowed.
- Just Desserts
Cookies and brownies travel well (just don't leave them in the hot car). S'mores are always a hit at a campfire site; seal the chocolate in a zippered bag and store it in the cooler so it doesn't melt.
- Don't forget:
- Utensils for food prep, like a knife to cut watermelon, serving utensils, hand sanitizer for quick cleaning of grubby outdoor hands and a can opener if needed.
- Plates, napkins, eating utensils, and cups if you're serving bulk drinks
- A plastic tablecloth or two to liven up your eating space
- A plastic tub and environmentally-friendly detergent if you're staying overnight and need to do washing-up
For Guests You Will Need:
Number of appetizers servings needed:
120
Amount of meat/protein in pounds:
10
Amount of side dishes and salads in pounds:
10
Number of dessert servings needed:
20
Number of drink servings needed:
40
Great Recipes and Tips, Served Up Fresh.
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