Ack! 4th of July is Saturday!
Okay, having a small get together for the 4th...need some help with timing/ideas.
For baked beans, how early can I prep/make? Is Thursday too early or should I save it for Friday?
And, if i'm grilling chicken, is it worth it to pre-cook it in the morning and finish it off on the grill later? I'd rather not have fireworks on the grill with guests waiting for food.
What are other folks doing for the 4th?
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12 Comments:
Are you soaking the beans or getting from a can? I would make it Thursday to have everything marry, it tastes better the next day. Are you cooking chicken with bone in or boneless? It takes longer with the bone in. i do mine all the way on the BBQ, just start it early and have the coals on one side and the chicken on the other side. Boneless take no time at all. i live on a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle where the only and major fireworks will be right about 100 feet form us, so we are having a few people over and also BBqing and watching the fireworks from the roof top deck. I have 4 BBq's waiting to be cleaned and ready to go. I am planning to do a variety of grilling, veggie, steaks, chicken, hotdogs, and burgers. I am going to make baked beans, potato salad, corn salad, all the fixings, Mexican 7 layer dip with salsa w/ chips, cake and lots of booze. We are sort of celebrating 2 birthdays, mine is on the 4th and BF's B-Day is on the 8th.
pjracz10 at 5:25PM on 06/29/09
Beans you can do early. That's one of the things that I always think tastes better the next day, anyway. Chicken, I'd do when I needed it.
We're going to MILs for dinner. Another strange eats episode, I'm sure..
dbcurrie at 2:49AM on 06/30/09
@mcanna - yes do it all the time regarding chicken. However for safety sake cook it all the way in the morning. Wrap in foil and reheat on the grill. If it's a charcoal grill make sure and get it good and smoky. If you need to divert attention from your cooking, roll out some special grilled appetizers at the same time.
@pjracz - a houseboat? That's pretty cool.
Ribster at 5:01AM on 06/30/09
I'm trying out my new ice cream maker this weekend. I'm also doing a crab boil for our good eatin' on the weekend. Can't wait!!! I'm thinking of adding some lobsters to the mix, and imagining I'm up in my beloved New England....
juliebugsmama at 3:26PM on 06/30/09
I'll agree that the beans are best made in advance and given a day to 'mature'. Just don't cook them too much to begin with--you don't want mush, do you?
I'd do the chicken to order, regardless of the fireworks.
I have my doubts that one can cook chicken thoroughly (i.e. 'to the safe point') and reheat it the next day without sacrificing flavor and texture (texture more so).
beano at 5:30PM on 06/30/09
I would definitely do the beans in advance. The chicken I would wait on.
My husband just informed me that his family will be coming on Saturday. So I'll be cooking 10, which really isn't a big deal. I'm thinking of maybe a couple of beer can chickens and steak, grilled corn and other veggies, homemade rolls and maybe a pineapple and berry salad. I'll probably tune it up when I hit the market on Friday and see just what looks good. They'll bring beer and wine which is nice so I won't have to worry about that anyways.
dhorst at 6:06PM on 06/30/09
When I do chicken for a crowd, I BBQ Thighs on the bone. They are very moist and VERY forgiving as far as window of service goes. I also think they taste better. We're having a Crawdad boil with all the fixen's. We live in the middle of Oregon wine country and this is year three for the Crawfish Feed. Today on Tuesday we are in the false sense of controll, Wednesday/Thursday will bring panic, followed by denial on Friday. Looking at anywhere from 60 to 100 people.
NWcajun at 7:06PM on 06/30/09
working .... then who knows.... getting up early the next to work again....
boo hoo.
pooch at 8:46PM on 06/30/09
I'm lucky enough to be going to a huge pig roast type party that's thrown every year by an associate of BF's. I'm contributing a hotel-pan-sized fruit crisp.
I'd definitely do the beans beginning with dry beans in a crock pot with the meat cut from a smoked turkey leg. They'll be Heaven by the time they're enjoyed by your guests. Start them Thursday night. Long-cooked beans - one reason I own a crock pot.
As for chix - I'd go with the thighs, legs and maybe for something that will be ready quickly, some wings. As far as having hungry people waiting, do some dips and spreads. Hummus is easily made and dirt cheap when you think about it. Get a big bag of Stacy's pita chips. O.M.G. They are SOOO good. You can do some salsa and chips as well - just for nibbles while people wait.
What's for dessert??
therealchiffonade at 2:47PM on 07/01/09
Everyone who I would normally hang out with on the 4th is going out of town. My mother's visit was postponed. I had no plans at all until the day before yesterday. A friend who I rarely see anymore (but who I totally adore) invited me to someone's house on Bainbridge Island for a Saturday night to Sunday party. Supposedly, they're big foodies and good boozers. Fun shall be had (I hope).
Marls Barkley at 6:50PM on 07/02/09
Just did the first run of Key Lime Pie... second key lime pie, brownies and funfetti cookies on deck for tomorrow! Thanks for the tips on the beans, and I backed off chicken... burgers, veggie burgers and turkey burgers for the main! Friends are bringing sides and salads and beer!
mcanna at 12:53AM on 07/03/09
so, juliebugsmama, it's cool if i drop by your crab boil, right? ;)
if not, i'm following therealchiffonade to the pig roast!
gastronomeg at 1:21PM on 07/04/09