Easy BBQ Ideas

Shish-ka-bobs are great and yummy!

Buy bottle teriyaki marinade...and a can or two of pineapple chunks... marinate your choice of meat or chicken or shelled shrimp in a ziplock bag for about 6 hours, cut it into cubes (or cut the meats into cubes first then marinate), then thread the meats and pineapple chunks on skewers. You can also add green or red peppers cut into 1 inch chunks. Keep the shrimp whole instead of cubing it, if using shrimp.

You can buy the shrimp already shelled in frozen bags. It doesn't have to be fresh shrimp, the frozen kind is just as good.

Oh, mandarin/clementine oranges like the kind you get at Costco is also REALLY great BBQ'd. I skin them, leave them whole, and just put on the BBQ until a little browned. It carmelizes the fruit and makes it really sweet. Real yummy and a great side dish to the meal.

It's real good and my family loves when I make this.
Good luck!
~Susan

I like to do skewers. You can have most of them ready, but you can also have the fruit and veggie makings and let the kids make their own.
have fun
R.

How about cabobs, These are great because you can make them up the day before. Pork, pineapple, and onion then soak them in sweet and souer over night. Good luck with your BBQ.

Dana
www.southernlivingathome.com/danacarey

Costco now has carne asada marinade in a jug. It is actually pretty good.

I throw the red & green peppers and onion in there and it all taste great.

I just saw an idea on Semi-homemade that sounded super yummy- she made chicken drummettes (the "good" part of the wing) that were coated with a mixture of taco seasoning (the packet), red wine vinegar, canola oil, and a little hot sauce (which of course you could omit, or make a spicy batch for the grown ups and a non-spicy one for the kids). They looked easy and good. She also made stuffed jalepenos that looked awesome, but not so kid friendly, and a skirt steak sandwich, also very easy, just basted in beer and teriaki sauce (the beer would be okay for the kids, because it was just a little and most of the alchohol cooks off). Look on foodnetwork.com- the name of the episode was something like "bachelor BBQ" or something like that, the wings were called "hot legs"- I know, doesn't sound family friendly, but if that doesn't sound good to you I love that website for finding recipes- I like that they are all professionally developed. On sites that allow just anyone to submit recipes you never know what you're going to get! Anything from Bobby Flay would be good, too- he does a lot of grilling.

chicken thighs and wings are my favorites. they are not so easy to overcook if you have kids you have to watch as well while cooking. Get the frozen pack from costo or other bulk sale place. Put them in a big ziplock bag and pour some teriyaki marinade or other flavors you like on it. Shake and let sit for half a day or so in the fridge.
I usually don't follow the instruction on the bottle as this makes it too sweet. Just dilute with water, add some diced green onions or some herbs for fragrance. Serve with rice or corn on the cob and some fruits.

Veggies have always been a hit at my BBQs. Slice potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams. Wrap them in foil with plenty of olive oil and heat on the BBQ for 20 minutes. Another favorite is BBQ Corn on the Cobb. Leave the wrapping on the corn, soak overnight in a cooler with ice and beer. Cook on the BBQ with the silk still attached. Peel back and eat it holding onto the silk. Its so good-no need for butter or salt. People also love asparagus, but is pricey. My brother-in-law always has carne asada with tortillas at his BBQs. They are good for the adults, but not great for my small kids. Don't be shy about asking the guests for help. Many times I put my guests to work cutting potatoes or mixing the margaritas. Have fun!