This Sunday, (June 19th) is Father’s day and if you’re planning on having a dad
over for Barbecue, but aren’t sure to set up the yard or the cookout, here
are some insider secrets.

a) Set Up a Bar!
A hot dog or burger bar. Set up a table and make it a help-yourself table
with buns, condiments and cut up veggies like pickles, mild and hot peppers.
To really get it to appealing, top a table with a gingham cloth, then place a pair
of craft-store crates toward the back (this elevates tiny items so they’re easier
to spot). Next, place tiered and standard trays and blankets for buns, toppings
and more on the table and label each paper ID tags secured with clothespin.
Important tip: Prevent bottle topples by pouring each condiment into plastic
cups with labels.

b) Make This Dessert-
If you or your guests don’t have a problem with alcohol, serve them
a combination of dessert and a cocktail. In other words, beer-infused
cupcakes with frosting. Just purchase vanilla cupcakes or make them
from a cake mix. Next, cut out hearts from scrapbook paper and glue to
lollipop sticks or toothpicks, then tie with a ribbon bow. Insert a topper
in each cupcake before serving. If you’re making a batch just for grown-ups,
add 3 Tbs. of beer to buttercream frosting and really give the adults a
surprise.

c) Decorate The Plates-
Dad may be no nonsense, but give him a real treat, the treat: nice
napkins and plates. Top a blue-checkered mat with simple dishware
and a napkin roll to create a breezy, picnic-style setting. For each, set
a plate atop a checkered place mat. Roll a napkin and secure with a ribbon
band (or cut a strip of paper and decorate with a blue paint pen, then tape
ends together). Tuck blooms under the band. Optional: Insert a DIY toothpick
and paper name tag into a cupcake; place on the plate.

d) Make Some Kits!
Not sure what gift to give your dad? How about a variety of BBQ tools.
Buy a cardboard beverage caddy or make your own, make it out of wood,
or buy a six-pack holder and customize it with magic markers or paint.
To buy wooden or paper caddies, head to OrientalTrading.com
or TFD Bottle Boxes-online at Amazon.com.

e) Try Something Unusual!
As in the beverages. If dad is a little tired of the same old beer, try something
unusual as in a beer-garita. Simply put- just pair light beer with some lime juice.
The subtle carbonation and malty flavors of a traditional margarita, making it even
more refreshing for a hot day. To make a pitcher: Combine 2 bottles of cold beer,
1/2 cup of thawed frozen concentrate limeade (or frozen margarita concentrate)
and 1/2 cup of tequila in a pitcher or large container. Prep 4 beer mugs by rubbing
a lime wedge around the rim, then dipping into a saucer of coarse salt.

f) Set Up a Serving Cart!
This is almost the same as the hot dog bar, but if there isn’t room for condiments
and side dishes, get a double-decker server and stack it with ketchup, relish,
pickled jalapenos, baked beans, coleslaw, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, bacon bits,
salsa and caramelized onions.
Not sure where to get a double-decker servers? Go online to Lakeside.com
and look for a 2-Tier Galvanized Serving Tray.

g) 3 Tips To Make Your Cookout a Roaring Success!
Now that you’re aware of the things that are needed to set up the backyard
for a successful barbecue, here are three tips for a hugely successful cookout.
* Choose The Right Bread-
You may be used to buying $1.29 buns, but this time, do something special for dad.
Grilled hot dog buns add a nice smoky flavor and a little more structure (to hold
up the toppings) So, don’t buy cheap rolls that may fall apart, go ahead and
splurge and buy potato buns. These are made with potato starch, and that
starch gives these buns a little sweetness, plus they hold up under the hot dog
and the condiments. Place them on the grill for 10 to 15 seconds to make them
more sturdier.

* Design The Dogs-
This means making your hot dogs look a little more stylish or expensive.
To do: Insert a metal skewer all the way through a hot dog. Place the
skewered hot dog on a cutting board. Starting at the top of the dog,
make a diagonal cut with a paring knife as you rotate the skewer. Continue
cutting and rotating, creating a corkscrew shape. Spread out the hot dog
by pulling each end; grill. Remove the hot dog from the skewer directly
onto a bun.

* Play Games-
It’s dads’ day. so let him be the star. How? By creating a trivia game around
him. Before the “big day” ask him or them a few questions about their
favorite things, favorite movie, song, food, bands, etc. And on the “big day”
give the guests index cards and a marker and read the questions aloud.
Have guests hold up their written answer. Keep count and have some
prizes on hand to give to the winner. Some gift ideas: Lottery tickets,
scratch-offs, unusual six packs, grilling tools, aprons or jars of condiments.

Sources:
* Party Pro-Mariah Leeson of GigglesGalore.net
* Party Central Headquarters- Research Dept.
* Martin’s Potato Rolls- BBQ Experts
* A Taste of Home, Magazine
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