Creative Cookouts

Photo by: thebusybrain

You either love hosting gatherings or they stress you out. Not all of us can (or want to be) Martha Stewart.

But keep in mind that extending a welcome to others around you helps to build authentic non-computer, non-social networking community.

Grilling some burgers on the grill is delicious, cheap, and with a few modifications, very earth friendly. Integrate these products into your cookout to green-proof your gathering:

• Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter
  Instead of using lighter fluid, checkout this alternative method to heating your patties. The Weber Charcoal Chimney Starter is just $14.95 and is lit using newspaper under the coals. I'm not a fan of electric grilling, so using this starter avoids the smelly emission of lighter fluid.
• Disposable/Reusable Goods
  There's nothing like a huge mound of dirty dishes to kill a great time. If your peeps are into bringing their own table goods and don't mind helping out with the clean up, go for it. I personally think there's a time and place for disposable plates and flatware—and a cookout definitely qualifies. Look at throwaways from World Centric or Gaiam to be responsible and have a good time for less.
• Recycling Containers
  Not exactly a land-breaking revelation, but setting out a couple other containers to separate recycled garbage is an easy change to implement at a cookout. Clearly label each one, perhaps with pictures for the younger folks, and deposit at a recycling center for some extra dough.

Buy fatty ground meat to make your own patties. It's the cheapest out there and most of the fat will drip off during cooking. Add about a half cup of milk to each pound of meat to increase volume.

Serve hotdogs to the kids as they are super cheap, and many adults will also want to partake. Even organic dogs are affordable and quite tasty.

Making your own red potato salad is far less expensive and better for you than potato chips. And never turn down a guest request to bring something. Many folks feel awkward arriving with nothing in hand, so invite a pot of beans or head of lettuce and tomatoes for burger garnish.

Next: Chapter 6: Getting There