Summer is in full swing and now is the perfect time to plan a backyard barbecue. Here are some tips on hosting a backyard celebration that your friends and family are sure to enjoy!
First, plan a menu. Have all your meats marinated and prepped. Be sure to accommodate veggie requests as well. Veggies and mushrooms char great on the grill!
Next, have some fun lawn games ready for your guests to enjoy. Popular backyard party games include cornhole, bean bag toss, giant Jenga, and frisbee.
Another great hosting tip… play upbeat summer tunes on outdoor speakers. Create a playlist before the party and keep the music pumping all night.
Also, light up the firepit and create the perfect spot for guests to socialize. Set up a tray with skewers, marshmallows, chocolate cubes, and graham crackers and have guests create their own s’mores around the fire. Be sure to have some wet wipes handy in case fingers get sticky.
Mostly, enjoy yourself and your guests are sure to have a great time!
Soy-aki Meat Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon hot chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Green Onions (optional garnish)
In a small container, mix soy sauce, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, chili flakes, garlic, and pepper. Stir together well. Cover and chill. Add to meat of your choice. Garnish with green onion scallions.
Makes enough for 1 to 1 1/2 pounds meat.
Benefits of marinating your meat: Marinating does more than infuse food with flavor; it also reduces the formation of potentially carcinogenic HCAs (heterocyclic amines), which form when grilling poultry, red meat and fish at a high temperature.
Grill Tip: Cook on a clean grill. Use a wire brush to clean the grates and remove any food residue or char on them.
Grill Tip: Use a grill basket to secure foods that might fall through the grill rack or are too cumbersome to turn over one by one.
