MEAL IDEA |
READY TO SERVE ITEMS |
RECIPES |
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Caribbean Style Barbeque with Jerk Chicken
Put on some calypso music and get ready to barbeque -- Caribbean style. To get the party started, offer frosty glasses of fruity rum punch and pass cool holiday shrimp perched on cucumber rounds. When it's time for the main course, pile grilled jerk chicken on a big platter, surround it with fresh tropical salsa, and pass a big bowl of traditional pigeon peas and rice. The tropical theme carries right through to the end of the meal with a dessert of pineapple macadamia nut cake topped with whipped cream. |
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Grilled Chicken Mole
Transform plain grilled chicken breasts into a spectacular entree by topping them with a flavorful Mexican mole. Turn the evening into a fiesta by serving the mole with Mexican rice, cumin spiced pinto beans, and frozen margaritas. |
- Chicken Breasts
- Canned Pinto Beans
- Cumin
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| 3
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Alder Planked Salmon Brunch
Invite the gang over for brunch and impress them all with a special barbeque menu -- that's easy on the chef. Build the meal around alder planked salmon. It's a great choice for brunch as it can be made ahead and tastes terrific at room temperature. Serve it with mini bagels and all the fixins -- grilled Italian sausages drizzled with maple syrup, a tangy egg salad, and a big platter of fresh fruit. Keep dessert easy too, and set out a tray that's brimming with bakery cookies, chocolate truffles, and salted nuts. |
- Italian Sausages
- Maple Syrup
- Mini Bagels
- Whipped Cream Cheese
- Red Onions
- Capers
- Fresh Fruit Tray
- Bakery Cookies
- Chocolate Truffles
- Salted Nuts
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| 4
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Falafel, Tabbouleh, and Israeli Salad
Make the bright and vibrant flavors of the Middle East the theme for a fun buffet-style dinner. Minty tabbouleh and lemon-dressed Israeli salad taste best when they've had a chance to sit a bit, so make them up early in the day and refrigerate to let the flavors meld. The base for the falafel can be made in advance too -- just make the seasoned chickpea puree and form into patties. When guests arrive, fry the falafel up fresh, hot, and crispy and serve on big colorful platters beside the tabbouleh and Israeli salad. All that's needed to complete the buffet is a basket of warm pita bread, a shallow dish of store-bought hummus, and an icy cold pitcher of homemade lemonade. |
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| 5
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Backyard Camping Trip
Create a camp style meal, right in your own backyard. Gather around the campfire (or barbeque) to grill fish skewers and foil-wrapped veggies, then serve with pasta salad and grenada cocktails. End the camping escape by roasting marshmallows over the grill to layer with chocolate and sandwich between grahams for the perfect s'mores. |
- Graham Crackers
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate bars
- Trail mix
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| 6
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Spicy Indian Shrimp in Cream Sauce - Bhagari Jhinga
Steam up a big pot of basmati rice to serve with this quick shrimp stir fry that's bathed in a spicy coconut sauce. To help tame the heat, make a fresh mint raita to serve alongside -- just stir together 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon garam masala,1 teaspoon finely chopped mint, and a pinch of salt. |
- Yogurt
- Fresh Mint
- Basmati Rice
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| 7
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Labor Free Labor Day Barbeque
Sit back and relax this Labor day with an easy, make-ahead barbeque menu. Hours before grilling, marinate the tri tip in soy sauce and olive oil, boil potatoes and assemble the potato sald, and prepare the strawberry lemonade. Just before grilling the tri tip, whip together some broccoli slaw -- then sit down to enjoy the fruits of your not-so-hard labor. Finish the no-fuss night by topping angel food cake with sweet strawberries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and whipped topping. |
- Angel Food Cake
- Strawberries
- Whipped Topping
- Vanilla Ice Cream
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| 8
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Love That Easy Cheesy Chicken
What's not to love about a dinner that's quick, easy, and really cheesy? Spread the love and pair the yummy chicken with a big pear and poppyseed dressed salad, and serve with wedges of warm and crusty cornbread. |
- Bagged Salad Greens
- Italian Salad Dressing
- Prepared Corn Bread
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| 9
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Sage Pork Chops and Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Pork chops browned in butter and simmered in broth smell just wonderful while cooking -- and taste even better than they smell! Round out the plate with baked sweet potatoes and a spoonful of warm applesauce that's been spiced with a bit of cinnamon. |
- Sweet Potatoes
- Applesauce
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| 10
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BBQ Sausage and Peppers
Fresh sausage and jalapeno pepper chunks make for some spicy grilled skewers, and melted provolone cheese helps cool things down just a bit. Complete the barbeque menu with a big Italian pasta salad, crunchy rolls, and an easy fresh fruit cream pie for dessert. |
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