Help me plan my menu for a party

Warning, long and detailed. But if you make it through I would really, really appreciate it!!

DH's birthday is coming up, we are doing it in our house and we are disagreeing on the menu. But since it is his birthday, I have to bend... but now I need ideas that will kind of fit both of our visions.

DH is adamant on BBQing for the main course. So he is going to be making hamburgers and sausages. I will be making a toppings bar (buns, lettuce, condiments, onions, pickles, cheese, etc.). But I really didn't want BBQ... On top of many other personal reasons, this is in late September and I feel people will be sick of BBQ food (like I am!). So I refuse to do the normal potatoes, coleslaw, pasta salad sides. For one side I was thinking of doing a mozz, tomato, basil, red onion type salad with a balsamic dressing. But beyond that I have no other ideas for sides.

Just so you know, DH also says we will only be serving beer (for alcohol anyway. water and soda will also be offered.)

So I had originally been vying for an appetizers/pub food type menu but most of that stuff is sort of bread heavy and bbq-ish already which does not pair well with having a main course of buns and meats. Like I wanted to do chicken wing dip and/or chicken wing meatballs. But is that ok in conjunction with the burgers and sausage main meal? I usually like to do bread and cheeses but there will be cheeseburgers so the buns and cheese will already be served. Also, I really wanted to do something with bacon since his friends love bacon but I have never made anything. Any tried and trusted bacon appetizers? What other ideas would be good for the grazing foods?

I am usually really good at putting together meals and menu planning and party planning but for some reason I am now at a loss for picking options and tying this all together. Please help!!

Re: Help me plan my menu for a party

I think you're overthinking it, but maybe that's just me. I can never have enough bread and cheese. Ever.

Here's what I would probably do:

Apps:

Chips & Dips (Onion & Spinach Dip)
Crudite Platter/Fruit Platter
Either Fried Mac & Cheese Bites or Zucchini Cheddar Hushpuppies (Bottom line, hot veggie app)
And then a hot app that includes meat in it... maybe Crab Cakes? Or just have your bacon fix in this app.

As far as a bacon appetizer... there's BLT bites or I've heard good things (though have yet to try) bacon wrapped potatoes.

BLT Bites- I use a pastry piping bag to fill them.


Bacon Wrapped Potatoes


Oh! Another good bacon app- Jalapeno Bacon Crescent Poppers



Or good old potato skins are a good side dish or bacon app.

I'd still do chicken wings or some type of chicken, but I'd serve it with the burgers and sausages. Though this is coming from someone who doesn't eat red meat, so I may be biased. Anyway, HTH!

ETA: Oh yeah, and for sides.... I always do some kind of potatoes... so something like these: (your DH can get his bacon fix, too!)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush both side of potato slices with butter; place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides, turning once. When potatoes are ready, top with bacon and cheese and continue baking until the cheese has melted.

Or Garlic Grilled Tomatoes


Or just go traditional BBQ and do corn on the cob.

Message edited 8/21/2013 11:35:55 AM.

Re: Help me plan my menu for a party

--Caprese pasta salad
--Cornbread casserole

--jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, then wrapped with bacon. Grill until bacon is done.
--Asparagus wrapped in bacon & grill
--I put biscuits into mini muffin tins, & stuff with a tomato, Swiss, bacon, basil, mayo mixture.....people LOVE them!!!
Make bacon for the burgers
--Dips: hot or cold taco, crab dip, nacho, salasa, guacamole
--Potato skins
--stuffed mushrooms