How to Host a Barbecue Party

Ride the line of steakhouse-meets-pool house atmosphere and make this barbecue an informal affair where everyone gets a shot at the grilling glory.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Grills (borrow as many Webbers as you can fire up, and let everyone in on the smokin' act)
• Bread baskets, salt and pepper grinders for centerpieces
• Gin, juice and beverages
• Aprons hung on clothesline
• Outdoor toys and games
• White table cloths, napkins, glasses, plates and flatware

1. Set the table with white dishes and crisp cotton cloths. Use baskets of crusty bread along with hefty salt and pepper grinders as centerpieces.

2. ****ter tons of outdoor toys around the yard for maximum fun. A few favorites are: horseshoes, bocce ball, hula hoops, Frisbees, water guns, croquet and badminton.

3. Let the fun begin by serving martinis and poptails (gin and juice frozen onto Popsicle sticks). (See poptail tip and Web links below)

4. The more chefs hanging over the grill, the better. Since everyone likes their steaks cooked a little differently, guests will be commuting back from the blaze at different times--perfect for mingling and flirting opportunities.

5. The rest of the menu should not make you crazy: Present iceberg salad wedges with blue cheese dressing at each guest's place, then serve everything else family-style on the tables, like sliced tomatoes and onions, baked potatoes and crab cakes for extra credit.

Tips & Warnings

• When making the poptails, try not to use too much gin or they won't freeze--and please keep them separate from the kids' popsicles! (See recipe details below)

• Load platters with raw steaks and carry them around for the guests to see and select from, just like they do at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

• Have guests select their apron du jour from the clothesline before heading up to the grill to fire one off.

• Grilling takes a lot of attention so make sure your chef doesn't consume too many poptails or get caught up in a serious water gun fight and forget about the grill.

Resources

• Look to Emeril's Web site for the low-down on adult popsicles
• William Sonoma has a great variety of aprons
• Snag a few extra outdoor games and toys here
• Snag a few extra outdoor games and toys here
• Hook it up with a few extra grilling tips