BBQ Style

📷randiklifestyleblog

Summer is officially here!

Outdoor dining is on the menu!

Join me as I put together my first BBQ Party for the summer of 2025!

When planning your table remember to incorporate many patterns that relate to one another. I chose red, white and blue for an "Americana" feel for my July BBQ. Plaids, stripes, and stars all work together! My challenge was to create a reasonable, but stylish table setting.

I start my BBQ table with the foundation of layers and texture.

The table runner has a vintage feel and the placemats add that organic texture.

I am feeling that Americana vibe already!

Next up....

a pop of color and pattern!

The plaid adds whimsy and gives a nod to 1950's plaid, for a vintage feel.

I love melamine plates for outdoor dining. They can look like china, but of course, unbreakable.

Many are dishwasher safe!

Reuse them years to come!

Now, for the jewelry!

I chose bamboo cutlery! I love the vintage, Adirondack statement they make.

I folded a utensil pocket with the dinner napkins for a "campy" look.

Check out this napkin folding tutorial from Stone Gable (HERE)

And the center of attention!🌻

I painted mason jars from my grocery store, and tied a checkered bandanas around them for that "down home feel". I love how they turned out, and the sunflowers really pop against the red, white and blue palette!

Oh... I love a fun pillow cover!

Such an easy way to change the vibe!

These bandana pillow covers scream Americana decor!

This table is looking really inviting and ready for my BBQ!

But I felt something was missing...

So...I added lanterns for height and sparkle. I feel like the look is now complete!

*You can also use Citronella, bug repellent candles, to fend off the mosquitos.

Now...

Whats on the menu?

For my BBQ menu....like many restaurants, I am going to offer small plates of some

of my BBQ favorites.

My sister introduced me to this cookbook;

"Tiny Food Party, bite-size recipes for miniature meals"

by Teri Lyn Fisher & Jenny Park

*found in bookstores and Amazon

This is going to be a fun twist on BBQ fare!

Two days prior, I baked my "Wee Apple Pies" stored them in airtight bins. Then I prepared what I could the night before; sauces, salads and charcuterie picks, this made for a less stressful preparation before my guests arrived.

The trick was serving everything hot!

Tip: keep food crispy, place on wire rack over baking sheet, set oven at 200 degrees with oven door ajar.

BBQ Buffet Table

Planning ahead, I found odds and ends to use for the buffet table decorations. Peeking around Pinterest for buffet table ideas, I discovered many tables have food served at different heights for interest. So I rummaged through my garage, and found crates I used in my trade shows. They are perfect for elevating my BBQ menu items. Some of the serving trays I had from past cookouts, and others I purchased online. My grocery store had the cute gingham trays in there seasonal section! You just never know what will catch your eye!

*check RESOURCES 👇 for more shopping info

Putting it all together

♥️Let's Eat!♥️

Everything was yummy!

The only issue I had, my first batch of "Mac n Cheese Bites" did not turn out as planned, so I heated up the remainder Mac n Cheese and served it up in cups. No one was the wiser! Otherwise everything went according to plan! I think my favorite recipe was the "Little Lamb Sliders". Lamb mixed with tarragon, topped with arugula, caramelized onion, sharp white cheddar cheese and red pepper aioli sauce. So yummy!

I highly recommend this "Tiny Food Party" Cookbook it made for a fun twist to my Americana BBQ!

Maybe I will try the Italian inspired recipes next time.

Here is a peek at the final small bites buffet table👇

♥️Thanks for joining me for my first summer BBQ! What do you think?

Would you try a mini food/small plates BBQ?

The guests loved it, and were able to sample a little bit of everything!

Happy Summer!

I loved this "Tiny Food Party" cookbook so much!

The recipes were easy to follow and so yummy!

Here are some additional recipes...

I wanted to add more of my BBQ faves to this mini menu, like baked beans. I found Home With Holly had the perfect way to "zhuzh" canned baked beans by adding just a few ingredients. Yum!

Check out the recipe HERE

What's a BBQ without coleslaw?

Minis cups provide the perfect amount for a coleslaw serving.

Check out this "Creamy Ranch Coleslaw" Recipe from

"Garlic and Olive Oil Veins"  HERE

Another addition I made to the mini menu was "Pint-Sized Charcuterie". Simply add a few skewers of deli, cheeses and breadsticks.

So easy to assemble!

To top off my Americana BBQ menu, there had to be

good 'ole apple pie!

This recipe appealed to me because the pies are so darn cute!

"Mini Puff Pastry Apple Pie"

Recipe from A Peachy Plate HERE

📷apeachyplate

Who knew Old Fashioned Lemonade would be so easy?

Recipe from Persnickety Plates HERE

📷persnicketyplates

RESOURCES:

plaid plates; Home Depot, bamboo cutlery; Walmart, wicker placemats; Homegoods, table runner; Amazon, vase bandanas; Hobby Lobby, mason jars; grocer, mason jar mugs; Michaels, lanterns, bandana pillow covers & pinwheels; Amazon, flag and star pillows no longer available, all photos; randiklifestyleblog.com, book; "Tiny Food Party, bite-size recipes for miniature meals" by Teri Lyn Fisher & Jenny Park, The Best Baked Beans Recipe; Home With Holly J, recipe; "Creamy Ranch Coleslaw" Recipe from "Garlic and Olive Oil Veins" , "Mini Puff Pastry Apple Pie", A Peachy Plate, mini serving cups; Amazon & Michaels, Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe; Persnickety Plates, crates found at Michaels