BBQs provide the best opportunity to enhance interpersonal bonds especially during national days like The Memorial and Thanksgiving days. The wait time as BBQs cook on the grill provides people with a perfect chance to chat, interact, and reminisce about great moments.
However, since BBQs take some time to cook, sides serve the role of satisfying people’s taste buds before the main course is ready. From grilled vegetables, coleslaw, avocado and corn salad, baked beans, potato salad, and the list of side dishes to go with BBQs is endless. This article looks at recipes of these and many other popular side dishes in NJ.
Grilled Vegetables
Best Side Dishes For a BBQ in NJ
A combination of vegetables provides different flavors, colors and textures. A combination of eggplants, mushrooms, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and bulb onions makes the best accompaniment for BBQs. Different color ball peppers add vibrant colors and sweet flavors to the arrangement. Clean and chop the vegetables into your desired shapes like rings and large slices then soak them in a marinade of your choice for instance mayonnaise, for around 30 minutes before adding your favorite seasonings like salt, garlic, pepper or paprika. Grill the vegetables in medium heat until they start turning dark yellow and juices start to ooze.
Coleslaws
Coleslaw is simply a mixture of carrot and cabbage mixed with different marinades. Depending on the choice of dressing, there are different types of coleslaw. For lighter and tangier coleslaws, you can opt for olive oil and vinegar dressing. The classic creamy coleslaw is dressed in mayonnaise or plain yoghurt while red ones are made from red cabbages or common cabbages dressed in beets. Vegetable coleslaws are more flavorful and richer in nutrients such as vitamins and fibers. To make this, mix the vegetables with slices of fruits like apples, pineapples or raisins. Shred your vegetables with a sharp knife add your choice of marinade and seasonings, mix in a bowl and then refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
Avocado and Corn Salad
Corn and avocado provide the best combination for maximum energy replenishment while at the same satisfying your taste buds. Remove corn skins, apply some marinade like mayonnaise or plain yogurt for a healthier option and add your favorite seasonings. Marinating helps prevent your seasonings from falling off into the grill. For a tangier taste, sprinkle some vinegar or olive oil. For a spicier taste, spice your corn with salt or pepper. Then grill the corn for 10-15minutes. When ready, smear the corn with avocado paste and enjoy while hot.
Potato Salad
Having spent the entire day busy with the events that come with celebrations like Memorial Day, the best way to replenish that energy is with potato salad accompaniments. It is loaded with all the sweetness and energy to keep you replenished for the rest of the afternoon or evening. Start peeling 2 or 3 big-sized Yukon gold or Irish potatoes and slicing them into bite-size slices. Put them in a pot with water, add a few pinches of salt, and bring it to a boil for 10 -15 minutes before draining the water. Mix the potatoes with a marinade of your choice; mayonnaise or plain yogurt and seasonings like pepper, paprika, and salt. Then add a mixture of boiled eggs, onion rings, and celery relish to the bowl and mix until the chips are fully covered with the ingredients. To allow the flavors to meld, cover and then refrigerate for approximately 1 hour to service.
Dessert Ideas
In as much as we would want to explore the healthy options, a little bit of a dessert of confectionery would not hurt. There is no better way to end the party than with a bite of a blueberry pie. The best thing about this is that it can be made using the local abundance of blueberries available in BBQ-friendly months of summer in NJ. It comes loaded with lots of sweetness and calories to get you to your destination if you have traveled from far away. When flushed down with a cup of creamy coffee, it makes the best dessert for a BBQ.
From grilled vegetables, avocado and corn salad, coleslaws, potato salad, and a blueberry pie, you can make the best out of a backyard BBQ party and create a moment to remember. These offer a great chance to display the abundance of NJ’s unparalleled farm produce. These diverse side dishes do not only cater to various palates, but also celebrate the flavors and traditions of a true NJ BBQ.