Hot Tub Party with Great Food

We would be quite surprised if many of you haven’t jumped all over the fine weather and held a barbecue already. It is, after all, time to break out the grill and create succulent outdoor foods. And if you have a hot tub, it is important you prepare the right foods when you have people over.

Let’s put it this way; if you are planning on having a barbecue so your friends can enjoy your hot tub and eat good food, you need to serve them dishes that will inspire. When you were younger, it was quite acceptable to hold a barbecue and serve hamburgers, hot dogs, beans and canned corn. But you can’t serve that stuff anymore, your taste buds have grown up. Besides, you have your friends over because you like showing off your hot tub and all of the other nice things you have accumulated over the years. Serving them hamburgers and hot dogs doesn’t impress anybody.

What you want to do is go all out with the food, show everybody what an outdoor cooking talent you have. Not sure where to start? We can help.

Creative Main Dishes

It really doesn’t matter what main dish you serve, as long as at least part of it was grilled. You can serve spaghetti at your barbecue party for all we care, just make sure you at least grill the meatballs and give them an outdoor flair of flavor.

But spaghetti won’t impress anybody, so opt for a main dish that will surely be a show-stopper.

Spicy Korean Chicken

Hot off the grill. a spicy Korean chicken will not disappoint. Chicken thighs and chicken legs work well for this dish, all you need is a flavorful marinade and this dish will make a grand appearance at your table and impress. Can’t find a good marinade? Try mixing Korean hot pepper paste (gochujang) with a little brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, soy sauce and brown rice vinegar.

Grilled Short Ribs

Burgers and dogs are just so boring, spice things up by serving grilled short ribs. Short ribs contain a lot of muscle and tendon that needs to be moistened, so it’s a good idea to braise the ribs first. Short ribs also contain a lot of fat, so cooking them over high heat will leave then juicy and delicious. There are plenty of marinades you can either buy or prepare for your short ribs, but spice rubs also work well if this is what you choose.

Steak

Nobody in the history of mankind has ever turned down an invitation to attend a barbecue where steak is served.

Pork

Here is what you do; take two parts brown sugar and one part of rosemary, kosher salt and black pepper and rub a generous portion into the pork chops. Toss these bad boys on the grill and in a matter of minutes, you will have guests in your face wanting seconds.

Now, if you are serving Korean chicken, grilled short ribs or steak, serving a boring side dish with it is very sad indeed. Spice things up a bit by serving a side dish that has panache. We have a few really good ideas.

Blue Cheese and Bacon Potato Salad

Potato salad is the ultimate barbecue side dish, just not the generic version you find at the grocery store. While traditional potato salad is tasty, adding a few ingredients will take it to the next level of flavor. Start by grilling the potatoes in aluminum foil, this will give them a nice smokey flavor. Mix in tangy vinegar, red onion, parsley Dijon mustard, chopped bacon, blue cheese crumbles and mayonnaise and you have yourself a masterpiece.

Andouille Hush Puppies

Andouille is a spicy, smoky Creole-Cajun pork sausage and if you haven’t tried it, you have no idea what you are missing. Find your favorite hush puppy recipe and mix in some chopped andouille and just watch the frenzied crowd as they vie for first in line to load up their plate.

Peanutty Coleslaw

Want something tasty and unique to serve with your Korean chicken? How about a peanutty coleslaw with an Asian kick? Just take your typical coleslaw, add wasabi paste, grated ginger and crushed peanuts to notch the flavor up a few levels.

Deviled Eggs

No good old fashioned barbecue is complete without some deviled eggs. And though there are any number of ways to make them, the barbecued deviled egg brings you the best of both worlds: Deviled eggs gently kissed with smoky pork. All you need to do is mix in just a small portion of smoked pork with your favorite recipe and you will serve deviled eggs that make the manliest of men cry a little.

We would offer a few more tips, but it’s almost lunchtime and we have a craving for barbecue that needs to be quenched right now.