Cookout menu
 

I am hosting a cookout for a friend's birthday on Saturday. Unfortunately, I suffer from the same sickness that my mother does - the terror that there will not be enough food. So far, there are 6 confirmed guests (including me and the birthday boy). Wanna know what I have on the menu? You won't believe it:

Cod (I think about a pound or so with Dinosaur spice rub)
Goat cheese for appetizer
2 lbs shrimp (one classic old bay, one spicier)
2 lbs thin cut chicken breast (not sure on the amount or what flavor it will be)
corn on the cob
coleslaw
plus a yet to be named dessert (something that can be made ahead)


And I am contemplating making burgers. I was thinking of cooking the shrimp first, that way people have something to munch on besides the cheese when waiting for the rest of the food. I also just got the idea of making little mozzarella and salami finger sandwiches. I think I need to be put away for this!!!

Too much? What would you change?

I don't think you need cod, shrimp, chicken AND burgers for 6 people. Add more side dishes. Maybe bread, chips, baked beans.

I didn't want to make burgers anyways. There are only 6 confirmed. There may be more and they are all guys! Maybe I could put out tortilla chips and salsa, too. I don't think that baked beans will go with the seafood heavy meal.......maybe some kind of roasted potato.....

sounds good to me!

What's in the keg?

It's BYOB. That's how we roll down south. A lot of times people even bring their own cooler. We'll probably have some beer for the birthday boy and some tea for the cook (me).

I might even have to ask for chairs! I've never had that many people over at once!

sounds like a "wine" cookout (goat cheese, shrimp)--is there such a thing?

I can't stand beer with fish, yuk.

Cloud - I wish. Last time I had people over for burgers, I had out goat cheese to munch on. I just have some from the farmer's market and thought it was a good idea. I am still on the fence with that....I'm going to have to see how hot it is first

Had another thought. Maybe I should just forget the Cod and do some regular cookout items like brats and hot dogs. What if the guys want MEAT!?

Guys always want meat. But I say, stick to your guns!

I'm also thinking that if I save the cod, I can do that in a nice girly way. Or be able to experiment with it more over the grill like doing 3-4 different seasoning with smaller pieces that I don't have to worry about sharing. No, I don't want to share it. :)

Yeah, guys like all that pork-stuffed beef and beef-stuffed pork.

I'll come over for cod, though. Cloud, you in? ;)

Heh. I wish I had some girl friends that I could invite over for cod, shrimp, wine and goat cheese on the veranda (tiny back porch). Alas, I do not have that here. Barely had it back home.

(Makes a face at the fish). But I'm up for shrimp and chicken! I'll bring the wine.

But . . . where's the beef?

What about salad? coleslaw or potato salad are easy and you can do both of them the day before if you want to.

How bout making a chocolate cake for desert? Or a cheesecake? Either of those can be done the day before.