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Cookout side dish idea?

Posted By: GaKaye

Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 09:32 PM

I have to bring a side dish to a cookout next Saturday, and I'd like to bring something different. Usually I make a broccoli salad, or something like that. Anyone have any good ideas?
Posted By: Kimmers

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 09:44 PM

How about this cold salad! Everyone I serve it to just loves it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Broccoli/Craisin Salad

Dressing:
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
2 T. apple cider vinegar

Mix in small bowl or jar. Best if made a few hours ahead or even the night before, however, it's pretty darn tasty if made even an half hour ahead.

Salad:
2 lbs. broccoli florets (or two small bags of Broccoli)
1 6-oz. bag of craisins (Cherry Flavored or Original, Original is best)
1 lb. bacon, crumbled
1/2-1 cup diced red onion

Mix with dressing just before serving. [Linked Image]
Posted By: GaKaye

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 10:11 PM

Thanks Kimmers! That's actually very similar to the broccoli salad I make, except that mine has cheese instead of craisins.

Keep 'em coming!
Posted By: Breeze

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 10:51 PM

Taboule is something I do a LOT of when cook-out season is in full swing. Once my own herb garden starts producing, I go from scratch, but this time of year I grab the boxed Near East Taboule off the shelf. Lemon juice, EVOO, white balsamic vinegar, chopped tomato, onion/scallion, avocado ( the lemon juice/balsamic acid keeps the avocado green and fresh) and I'll add julienne/matchstick carrots, snow peas ( or sugar snaps) and possibly some fresh asparagus cuts.

Taboule is a nice pairing with anything off the grill and a tasty Complex Carb/low glycemic index side dish.

Sorry no recipe, I wing it. If taboule is new to you, try it out the easy way first.

Bulgar wheat ( cracked wheat berries) are easy to find, come in coarse, medium and fine, and it is worth experimenting with different textures to find the right one for your tastes.

Breeze
Posted By: peconic

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 11:03 PM

Georgia,
Deb makes a macaroni salad with chopped red & green peppers, chopped onions, broccoli flowerettes, frozen uncooked baby Le Seur Peas and shreaded carrots...
NO Celry (it just makes it watery <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />)...
and maybe some chopped hard boiled egg...
then the whole mayo thingy, on the dry side, rather than swimming in it...
dusted with sweet paprika for color...
no cheese...

bacon bits, if that's your thing... I would rather have it without...

Has to be served cold... not room temp... it's very refershing...

we're having it tonight as a matter of fact (w/o the chopped egg)... to celebrate our first day above 80F... with burgers on the grill...
Posted By: BigJim

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 11:14 PM

Can't beat Bourbon Beans for a backyard event.

Take 4 cans of your choice baked/Boston beans and combine with 1/3 cup of chili sauce
tsp dry mustard
tbs molasses
1/2 cup plus a splash of your choice Bourbon
1/2 cup strong coffee
mix it all together and cover with cloth let sit at least 3-4 hours, we prefer overnight. Then bake at 375 for approx 40 minutes. We put sliced apple and cinnamon on top, others do sliced pineapple and brown sugar for an additional 40 minutes.
Posted By: peconic

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/25/2009 11:32 PM

BigJim...
Sounds really good! Deb makes a mean baked beans... but this one is better, I think... Don't tell her tho!

I'd post this one in it's own thread!
wouldn't want to loose this recipe because it's buried in another thread!
I already have it copied to my recipes folder...
Posted By: GaKaye

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 12:23 AM

OH! I think that's it! That looks so good, and different from the things that everyone else brings! However, I'm not a bourbon drinker, so what should I buy? Wait, I just looked...there's a bottle of Jim Beam in the back of the liquor cabinet...it must be 25 years old, never been opened!! Will that do?
Posted By: peconic

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 12:30 AM

Georgia... I can't drink Bourbon... but it makes a really great recpie ingredient!
Posted By: GaKaye

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 12:33 AM

So is Jim Beam Bourbon? (I'm a wine drinker...see avatar!!)
Posted By: peconic

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 12:38 AM

yes... Jim Beam is Bourbon! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: GaKaye

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 12:41 AM

Cool! I finally have something to do with it! Someone must have given it to my husband before we were married...we've been married 21 years and it's been in the liquor cabinet all that time!! Also have a huge bottle of Bacardi that came with him.
Posted By: judyinnc

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 03:29 PM

Napa Cole Slaw

1 bag cole slaw
1 bunch green onions
4 T melted butter
2 3oz pkgs Ramen noodles
1 small bag sliced almonds
4 T sesame seeds
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 T soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar

Melt butter and brown just the noodles (not the spices). Add almonds and sesame seeds. Stir till coated. Set aside.

In a sauce pan, mix vinegar, vegetable oil, soy sauce and sugar. Bring to a full boil for one minute. Cool.

1/2 hour before serving mix cole slaw with onions. Add the sauce mix and stir. Right before serving, add the noodles.
Posted By: pamj

Re: Cookout side dish idea? - 04/26/2009 07:08 PM

I would either take the corn casserole talked about in earlier posts - I have made it many times for a cook out.It travels well and is just as good hot or lukewarm. Otherwise, I would go with the beans... IMHO.
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