Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Having family over Saturday to grill. DH usually is the griller and we cheat by buying some sides and then my MIL and mom make some stuff.
I'd actually like to have the sides.

We are just doing burgers, dogs and turkey burgers.
Thinking a big salad, which is easy enough.
Also wanted to do red roasted potatoes and a pasta salad.

Any good recipes for either?

My mom is going to make a guacamole dip for apps to munch on and I know I'll put out hummus, Stacy Chips, Tostito lime chips and cut up some veggies.
Any other easy ideas for sides?
Thanks!
Also, can't forget the sangria, beer and wine. Of course water, sode and juice boxes for the kids.

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

I have an amazing, so, so simple recipe for slow cooker baked beans. I can FM it to you, if you want.

Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

cut the potatoes into whatever size you want. make a mixture of dijon, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, olive oil, and maple syrup (ingredients to taste). roast at 375 until brown and yummy.

Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

for pasta salad - take marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, capers, minced red onion, fresh mint basil parsley, wilted baby spinach, and halved grape tomatoes. cook whatever pasta you want until al dente (i often use farfale - but penne or the curly pasta would be fine too, or shells, etc). make a basic balsamic vinaigrette (balsamic, olive oil, salt, pepper, honey, dijon). pour some in with the pasta while it is still warm (so it soaks up the flavor) and let it sit. mix in the rest of the ingredients. and add more dressing to taste.

you can also add in some sundried tomatoes and/or grilled asparagus and/or asparagus

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

I make a copycat recipe of Costco's loaded baked potato salad using red potatoes. It's always a hit.

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

This Southwest corn salad is so good and easy. You can use frozen corn too, and good seasons dressing with a tsp of sugar and juice of 1 lime. I always add extra peppers for more crunch. Make it the day before and serve chilled:
http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/49534/southwestern-roasted-corn-salad


8 ears fresh corn in husks

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red onion, chopped

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup olive oil

4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

3 limes, juiced

1 teaspoon white sugar

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon hot sauce

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Caprese-style pasta salad is always a big hit in the summer. I mix cut up fresh mozzarella (or you can buy little mozzarella "pearls" in water), halved grape tomatoes, julienned fresh basil leaves, and pasta (I like using bowties/farfalle). Then you can make your own vinaigrette (balsamic is good), or even use the good seasoning Italian dressing packet mix in a pinch!

Another idea for a lazy side would be those mini corn on the cob sold in the freezer section with frozen vegetables. There are steamfresh versions. I think they are only 4 to a bag, so if you are having a small bbq, you can buy a few bags and just microwave them while you are making other things/dh is grilling. I love corn on the grill, but this is a quick and easy way, and people seem to like corn on the cob at bbqs!

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

My mom and I make this A LOT in the summer .. It is always a HUGE HIT and there is never any leftovers

Broccoli slaw salad

It is not the exact exact recipe but it is really close for a quick google search! The only real difference is we just put the noodles in raw...we don't cook or sauté them?

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Cut th potatoes into round chips, put into ziplock bag with olive oil and Montreal steak seasoning. Remove from bag and bake until they brown! Soooooooooo good

Message edited 5/29/2013 9:53:13 PM.

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

I love this cool cucumber salad for the summer. And you can make it way ahead. The longer it sits, the better!
Cucumber salad

Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

We had BBQ chicken last nite and I made an avacado, tomato, corn, and onion salad. It was really good.

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Thanks all.
Another question. I got a really good pasta salad recipe from a friend. She serves it cold, but it was posted as warm for a dinner.

Anyway, when making a pasta salad do you use one pound or two? Would that be too much? It's a side.

Thanks

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

probably one pound but it depends on how many people.

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

I have a great (and easy) recipe for a yummy bacon ranch pasta salad. If you're interested let me know and I'll post.
But if you want REALLY easy and quick, pretty much any of the boxed "suddenly salad" mixes found at the supermarket are great too!

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

Posted by want2beamom

Posted by cindy104

I have a great (and easy) recipe for a yummy bacon ranch pasta salad. If you're interested let me know and I'll post.
But if you want REALLY easy and quick, pretty much any of the boxed "suddenly salad" mixes found at the supermarket are great too!

I would love that recipe!!!

Re: Not the best cook... BBQ side ideas (easy)

My SIL makes an awesome pasta salad. She makes rotini pasta. Puts in fresh mozzarella cut or the boccacini, grape tomatoes cut in half, red pepper cut up into bite size pieces, red onion and sun dried tomato dressing. Its amazing!!!