| It doesn't have to cost you a lot of cash to make | | | | batch of homemade salsa. It's really very easy. And |
| your BBQ memorable. Remember -- most people | | | | don't just stick with the basic tomato/pepper salsa -- |
| expect burgers and potato salad. So any different | | | | be brave and try a fruit or a veggie based salsa. |
| food is good. And if you follow our cheap barbecue | | | | Choose your salsa based on the meat and |
| party ideas you can impress your guests for very | | | | vegetables you will be serving and invite your guests |
| little money. | | | | to cover these foods for a new taste experience. |
| First off I must state that there is certainly nothing | | | | 3) It's almost embarrassing how much good will and |
| at all wrong with burgers and potato salad. I love | | | | praise a simple salad will gather. As cheap barbeque |
| them both and all weekend griller's barbeque parties | | | | party ideas go, this is one of the best. Everyone |
| should have a good selection of these and other | | | | does potato and macaroni salad. Ask your neighbors |
| basics. But just a few other cheap barbecue party | | | | to bring a dish and you'll probably get 3 of each. You |
| food ideas during planning can save your food -- and | | | | can impress everyone to no end by making up a |
| your parties -- from boring repetition. | | | | colorful and easy pasta or fruit salad that not only |
| Here are five cheap and easy food ideas you can try | | | | looks great but tastes great, too. Add some grilled |
| immediately to make you next barbeque party | | | | items into it at the last minute for a very special |
| memorable and fun: | | | | touch. |
| 1) One word -- Condiments! Everyone has ketchup | | | | 4) Sides -- Go beyond the salad! So you've brought |
| and mustard. Occasionally you see a lonely bottle of | | | | your beautiful (though cheap) salad. But now think |
| Tabasco. But for very little money or effort you can | | | | beyond to other side dishes. What springs to mind? |
| add a rainbow of variety to your table and impress | | | | If you are like most people - corn on the cob comes |
| your guests. Visit a specialty store or good | | | | to mind. There is nothing wrong this. But to really |
| supermarket and pick up some bottles of unusual | | | | impress your guests think of adding one or two |
| barbeque sauces or hot sauces for the table. Do not | | | | other unusual sides that will complement the main |
| just paint the meat on the grill -- give your guests a | | | | course. And remember that sides don't have to be |
| choice on the table. Today's barbeque and hot | | | | just veggies. Think of the possibilities of fruits, |
| sauces come in a wide variety of flavors and heat | | | | shellfish and even meats. |
| levels and there is something for (almost) everyone. | | | | 5) Desserts - Why not use the fire? Okay, you gotta |
| Consider the food you are serving and other sauces | | | | have desserts. You'll probably want something cool |
| that may complement it. If you are serving pork | | | | (homemade ice cream, maybe?) and some sweets |
| consider a white BBQ sauce or horseradish sauce. If | | | | to keep the kids happy. But since the fire is still warm |
| you are serving fish consider a sweet barbeque | | | | why not consider really wowing your friends by |
| sauce or a Vietnamese or Japanese fish sauce. | | | | making an additional dessert or two on the grill. Make |
| 2) Salsa -- Not just for corn chips anymore! Several | | | | homemade ice cream (always a reasonably cheap |
| years ago salsa took over the number-one-selling | | | | choice) AND grilled dessert to go with it and you will |
| condiment spot in America from ketchup but most | | | | be considered a party god for many years. |
| people still think of it as just a dip for chips or a | | | | Since most barbeque parties feature the same basic |
| covering for Mexican foods. Salsa is -- and can be -- | | | | foods, these cheap party food ideas will help any |
| so much more. Consider visiting a Farmers' Market or | | | | weekend griller to impress their guests. Do it well and |
| specialty supermarket the day of the BBQ and | | | | your neighbors will invite you to every party and beg |
| picking up a fresh salsa. Or better still,yet spend an | | | | for an invitation to yours. |
| hour or so the night before the party and make a | | | | |