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the Kenmore make-it-simple™ team - Time-saving tips and creative advice for any occasion
Summertime Grilling
By Bibby Gignilliat, Eric Cohler and Amy Clark
...our Kenmore experts on cooking & entertaining, home design and home management
Gearing up for outdoor parties and the summer games in Beijing, the make-it-simple™ team wants to help you throw an Asian-inspired barbeque. Check out our ideas for family-friendly food planning, kids' games, party concepts and grilling tips that will put a sweet and sour twist on a classic American pastime!

Beverages

Mango-ginger
iced tea

Lychee martinis

 

mangogingertea recepielycheemartini recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Tsingtao (Chinese beer)
~ Ginger-mandarin champagne cocktails
~ Plum wine sangria with tropical fruits
~ Oolong tea with sake
~ Pineapple spritzers

 

Appetizers

Crab pot stickers with honey soy dipping sauce

Lettuce cups with gingery pork, mushrooms and
CARAMELIZED SHALLOTs

 

crabpotstickers recepielettuce cups recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Shiitake egg rolls with sake dipping sauce
~ Barbeque oysters with rice wine mignonette
~ Barbequed chicken wings

 

Salad

Roasted asparagus salad with tangerines and cashews

 

 

asparagus salad recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

 

 

Entrees

Soy-marinated
flank steak

Lamb with hoisin-cabernet sauce

 

flanksteak recepielambhoisin recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Five-spice chicken thighs
~ Hoisin-glazed salmon
~ Honey garlic barbequed spare ribs
~ Five-spice beef ribs
~ Asian burgers with hoisin and garlic

 

Sides

Spicy broccolini sautéed with garlic

Pan fried garlic noodles with caramelized shallots

 

spicybroccolini recepiegarlicnoodles recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Chinese slaw with rice vinegar dressing & toasted sesame seeds
~ Chinese potato salad with mustard spiced mayo
~ Mandarin orange salad with cashews and fried wonton strips
~ Green beans with sesame orange oil and cashews
~ Salad with Asian pears and cashews
~ Sesame noodles with orange chili oil
~ Sautéed pea shoots with garlic
~ Sautéed bok choy with hoisin

 

Desserts

Coconut butter cake with mango blueberry compote

 

 

coconutbuttercake recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Wonton Napoleons with custard and fresh berries
~ Plum ginger shaved ice
~ Mango milkshake shooters
~ Mango lime shaved ice

 

After-dinner snacks

 

 

   

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.

~ Spiced nuts
~ Sesame brittle
~ Dried plums
~ Fortune cookies

  

Cooking from the hip

Easy garlic-sesame green beans

Quick and easy Asian burgers

 

 

greenbeans recepieasian burger recepie  

Put an exotic twist on grill favorites with flavors and ingredients from Asia. I’ve created a party menu with the recipes called out in red. Each “red” recipe is illustrated on the left – click on it to download. Or, for more ideas, use my other suggestions below to create a custom menu of your own.


 
Barbeque prep
Party prep
Keep these on hand to ensure your barbeque is a success.
  • Invest in grill tools like heat-resistant basting brushes, tongs, knife and fork. Some kits come in canvas totes for quick transport from kitchen to grill.
  • Prevent meat from sticking: tie an old terrycloth towel into a taut ball and use it to brush oil on the grill.
  • Keep extra jackets and blankets nearby in case the temperature drops.
  • Arrange candles, lanterns and torches around your deck and lawn.
  • Provide sunscreen and bug spray and encourage guests to help themselves.
Get ready
Keep your party bug-free by draining water toys the day before your barbeque. Standing water attracts mosquitoes.
Quick tip: Fill a caddie with seasonal safety items like sunscreen, first aid, wet wipes and bug spray. Store it in an easily accessible space. When the seasons change, turn your caddie into a winter sniffles kit, filled with facial tissue, hand sanitizer, lip balm and lozenges.
If the forecast calls for rain or heat, plan for indoor time by cleaning bathrooms and clearing living areas.

Fill your kitchen sink with ice and rock salt to quickly chill bottles and cans. String a bottle opener on a ribbon and tie it to the faucet.
Grill-ready kitchen staples
  • Freezer: Chicken, pre-made beef, turkey or veggie burgers, marinades and buns, popsicles.
  • Fridge: Onions, tomatoes, carrots, celery and romaine lettuce.
  • Pantry: Dry pasta, Kool-Aid mix, canned olives and artichokes.
  • Cupboard: Large trays, reusable plastic dishes and cups and paper napkins.
  • Garden: Fresh parsley (inexpensive; easy-to-grow; adds fresh flavor to any dish)
Grill tips
Do a test run to make sure the grill is running smoothly. If it's gas, turn it on and run it for five minutes; keep an extra tank of propane nearby. If you use charcoal, have plenty of briquettes and lighter fluid.

Meat should always be placed on a hot grill, so preheat the grill before guests arrive. Keep a table nearby with foil, matches, lighter, brushes and serving platters.

If you're thinking of upgrading your equipment, check out the latest Kenmore grills.

Read how fellow expert Tom DeSalvo makes the most of outdoor cooking.
Backyard barbeque tips
  • Clean as you cook. Keep a trashcan by the grill to catch scraps. Wrap it with Chinese newspapers and wide red ribbon, or have kids paint Asian symbols on white paper and apply. Have recycling bins for bottles and cans.
  • Kick it up. Add elegance to an offsite picnic. Bring a tablecloth and candles to your next barbeque at a park or tailgate; don't forget warm blankets for cool evenings.
  • The essential three. No matter the theme, always be sure you have good food, good wine and a great chef.
Recipes created by Parties That Cook
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Do you have a question for our make-it-simple team or tips and ideas to share? Send them to
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More color, more fun - Cook more burgers on 608* sq. inches - Total cooking area - Shop Now
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they cook quickly!
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