HOME COOKING
4 TIPS FOR BACKYARD BBQ SUCCESS
When the weather warms up , the opportunities to enjoy more time outdoors increase . For many people that means firing up the grill to cook dinners in the backyard and also to host friends and family for outdoor gatherings around the patio .
Barbecuing is enjoyed around the world and is especially popular in the United States , where even presidents have touted the virtues of cooking outside . Lyndon B . Johnson , Jimmy Carter and even Ronald Regan hosted barbecues with tasty grilled or smoked food during their terms .
Barbecues are especially popular in spring and summer . Memorial Day often marks the unofficial kickoff to the summer barbecue season . After Memorial Day weekend , the smell of barbecue often can be detected on a nightly basis in suburban neighborhoods . Follow these tips to make backyard barbecues even more successful this year .
1 . MAKE FOOD SAFETY A PRIORITY
A successful barbecue is one in which everyone goes home sated and stuffed with delicious foods . However , ensuring people don ’ t fall ill also is vital . Keep in mind that the temperature outdoors impacts the rate of spoilage for raw and cooked foods . Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold ( place items on ice or in coolers ). The Food and Drug Administration , advises moving leftovers indoors promptly and discarding any items that have been sitting outside for longer than two hours at room temperature . Items should be moved indoors or discarded even more quickly in especially hot conditions .
2 . LEARN HOW TO SMOKE
Grilling is one skill , and smoking is another . As the popularity of food smokers has increased , prices have come down . Novices can visit barbecue competitions and talk to professionals about their tips for smoking foods , or learn more by watching tutorials online . Smoked foods take a lot of time to cook , allowing hosts an opportunity to mingle with guests .
3 . KEEP THINGS SIMPLE
Serve only a handful of items to cut down on the amount of preparation required . Two main proteins and maybe three side dishes is adequate . Chips or other pre-made snacks can fit the bill . Condensing options also reduces how much you have to manage . Be sure to have options for those with food allergies or intolerances when planning the menu .
4 . SET UP CLUSTERS OF SEATING Grouping sets of chairs at tables around the yard encourages guests to mingle . Also , it helps space out people for social distancing and avoids a bottleneck around the food .
Make the most of barbecue season by embracing strategies to be successful hosts and hostesses .
10 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | MAY-JUNE 2021