HG Openhouse Blog

This past weekend, I headed to the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park in New York City. The two-day festival brings together the country’s top pitmasters, who grill and smoke up their award-winning dishes for thousands. And it makes for a fantastic day—live music, lots of sunshine, and pulled pork and coleslaw, oh my!

The event inspired me to throw an afternoon barbecue. While I’d love to be able to play host in my own Brooklyn abode, I lack a yard and a grill, so I’m summoning my friends to a girlfriend’s house in the burbs (thanks, Andrea) for a casual day of dining alfresco on the Fourth of July. Here’s my plan:

I’ll set up a buffet-style meal, serving chicken and burgers and corn on the cob—all of which will be spiced and grilled to perfection. I’ll also make a self-serve drinks station with premade margaritas, iced tea, and water, which I’ll serve in large drink dispensers. I’m going to forgo the green plastic ones found on the sidelines at football games in favor of something more decorative in glass or ceramic.

I’ll keep the décor simple and natural with punches of bold color. I opt for linen napkins (so much more eco-friendly than paper) in red and blue. I’ll use stones from the backyard to hold the napkins down in case it gets windy. I’ll get a few folding card tables, which I’ll top with inexpensive cotton checkered tablecloths, to create the buffet and drink stations. I’ll get a few affordable garden or camp stools—they work well as side tables or additional seating. And I’ll let guests perch where they like.

When entertaining outdoors, it’s important to keep foods covered and bug-free. I’ll keep the burgers, chicken, and corn under cake domes on the buffet table and dress the bun basket with a pretty linen towel.

Then I’ll hook up the iPod to a set of indoor/outdoor speakers, and let the party begin.