Organizing a Fun and Safe BBQ

This is the time of year when we all want to be outside, even if it is hot and humid. Eating outside can be fun whether it is entertaining a social gathering or just cooking the family supper. It’s helpful to have a few things organized in advance and to take some precautionary measures to keep it safe and reasonably clean. Nothing ruins a fun day like getting a tummy ache from eating mishandled food or getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.

Many of the items recommended below can be easily and affordabley purchased at local Watertown stores.

So spark up the grill, set up your iPod and get the party rolling.

Here are some tips to prepare a fun and safe BBQ or picnic:

• Make sure that your propane tank is full for your gas grill or that you have plenty of briquettes for your charcoal grill.
     o   tanks of propane can be found at at the Arsenal Mall
     o   hardwood briquettes can be found at (622 Mt. Auburn St.)
• Spray cooking spray on paper towel and give grilling surface a wipe so foods won't stick
• Consider picking up some fresh ground beef, marinated chicken kabobs, or pork tenderloin at (28 Mt. Auburn St.) to provide a sumptuous main course
• Use 2 different sets of tongs when handling meat/chicken fish on the grill-one set for handling raw food, one set for cooked food
• Use 2 different platters when barbecuing: one for raw food and one for cooked food
• Use a BBQ thermometer to test temperatures of meats
• Let grilled meats “rest” on specified platter covered in foil for five minutes before slicing and serving so they don’t lose all their juices
• Keep all raw foods to be grilled on ice or at least in a cooler with ice
• Consider picking up veggies and fruit at to get the freshest produce
• Use a grilling metal basket for veggies (marinate with olive oil and balsamic vinegar) and fish so they won’t stick to grill
• Consider preparing salads without mayo; e.g. German-style potato salad of oil and vinegar-dressed cole slaw (See recipes under PDFs)
• Put a mayo-dressed salad in another large bowl of ice
• Throw some sliced fresh pineapple on the grill for a delicious dessert
• Use 2 coolers or large tubs for icing down drinks:
     o   One for ice to put in the drinks-with a scoop
     o   One for holding bottles and cans of beverages (place all bottles and cans in a tub, then pour ice over the top)
• Consider making pitchers (in plastic) of pre-made drinks like sangria, margaritas, iced tea, lemonade, etc. You can find plastic pitchers and other plastic service ware at at the Watertown Mall.
• Make some ice cubes with liquid other than water to keep beverages chilled without getting watered down (e.g., make some cubes with tea for icing down iced tea)
• Consider using reusable plastic cups, glasses, plates and silverware to be eco-friendly
• Use large baskets to corral the plates, silverware, napkins and to transport items to and from the house
• Provide mosquito repellent and light citronella candles and torches to keep the bugs at bay
• String up Christmas-style lights in the yard to provide some fun atmosphere
• Create easy centerpieces of bowls or vases filled with sand, shells and other beach “finds”
• Set up a trash barrel and a recycling bin so people can sort their trash