FATHER'S DAY BEACH BBQ

I love the idea of a late afternoon BBQ on the beach. Warm sand, cool water and a brillant sunset make for a perfect evening. 

 With Father's Day fast approaching, why not plan a beach or park picnic dinner for dad. Grilling will be a snap with this  chic fire-engine red BBQ grill bucket.

 photo credit-istock

The key to a successful destination BBQ or Picnic-
Plan Ahead- your menu should include items that require little prep work and are easy to transport.
Keep It Simple-use fresh local ingredients- they always taste the best!
Dress For The Weather- bring a sweater and keep the designer duds at home.
Signature Drink- I like to premake a batch of margaritas and transport them in a cooler. No glass bottles to break!
Fun and Games-bring a ball or frisbee and some music for beach fun

 Quick Shade Tiki Hut instant canopy gives your instant shade and is so chic!

One of my favorite summer BBQ Menus:

Grilled swordfish and vegetable kebabs

Rotini pasta salad with feta, Greek olives and tomatoes

Fresh fruit salad

Chocolate chip cookies, brownies and marshmallows

String fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions and swordfish on these fire wire flexible skewers from Broadway Panhandler. Marinate for few hours before the picnic and they are grill ready!

Pasta to go- make a hearty pasta salad that doesn't require refrigeration. This Greek pasta salad can be made in the morning. Delicious!

G

Go Green-these eco-friendly 100% bamboo plates are sturdy enough for steak, corn on the cob and a hearty helping of potato salad. Best of all-they look fantastic and are biodegradable.

Creative Packing- Chinese takeout containers are great for transporting cookies and brownies. 

Think outside the box-carry all your picnic needs in wooden crates.  Flip them over and you have instant seating! 

Have Some Fun-Bring glow necklaces, sparklers and marshmallows for the night.

 Greek Pasta Salad 

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1/2 pound fusilli (spirals) pasta
• Kosher salt
• Good olive oil
• 1 pound ripe tomatoes, medium-diced
• 3/4 cup good black olives, such as kalamata, pitted and diced
• 1 pound good feta cheese, medium-diced
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 
  

For the dressing:

nocoupons

• 5 sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, diced
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 
  
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a splash of oil to keep it from sticking together. Boil for 12 minutes, or according to the directions on the package. Drain well and allow to cool. Place the pasta in a bowl and add the tomatoes, olives, feta and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

For the dressing, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, capers, salt and pepper in a food processor until almost smooth.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with the Parmesan and parsley, and toss well.

 Happy Father"s Day!