How to Make the Best Mother's Day Barbecue

Enjoy the outdoors in May.

Mother's Day is celebrated around the world to honor the influences of mothers in society. Celebrate Mother's Day with a backyard barbecue. Include her favorite summer foods, feminine decorations and all of her children. Make sure she is served -- and not serving others -- at her special Mother's Day-barbecue celebration.

Things You'll Need

• Meat, fish, chicken
• Bowls for marinating
• Spices
• Clean rags
• Hose
• Bucket
• Dish detergent
• Lawn mower
• Paper goods
• Utensils
• Drinks
• Tablecloth or place mats
• Ribbon
• Cooler
• Ice
• Flowers
• Vase
• Bowl
• Salad tongs
• Mixed greens
• Dried cranberries
• Almonds
• Toaster oven
• Red onion
• Goat cheese
• Raspberry vinaigrette
• 4 navel oranges
• 4 grapefruits
• 8 tsp. honey
• 16 sprigs fresh mint
• Serving platter
• Serving spoon
• Plastic wrap
• Baking dish
• 5 tbsp. butter
• 1 lb. desired macaroni
• 1/2 cup flour
• 6 cups whole milk
• 2 cups grated Gruyere
• 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• Salt
• Large pot
• 9-by-13-inch baking dish
• Strainer
• French rolls

Instructions

1. 

   Trim the grass, hedge the sides and pull any weeds in sight.

   Plan the menu two weeks in advance. Marinate the chicken, season the fish and make hamburger patties the night before. Wash furniture with a rag and a bucketful of dish detergent, hose off the furniture and patio, and cut the lawn. Open the packages of paper napkins, forks and plates and purchase the drinks.

2. 

   If it is windy, place the paper goods at a buffet table inside.

   Set out a tablecloth or place mats on the tables in the morning. Wrap utensils in napkins, roll them up, tie them with a ribbon and place them on the center of each plate. Fill the cooler with ice, arrange drinks and pour more ice on top. Put cups at each place setting. Cut fresh flowers or buy flowers, arrange them in a vase, add water and place the arrangements in the center of each table.

3. 

   Purchase mixed greens in a bag.

   Open a bag of mixed greens and dried cranberries for the salad. Pour them in a big bowl. Toast the almonds in a toaster oven for three minutes. Chop red onion and pull apart thumb-sized bits of goat cheese. Toss the salad ingredients and pour raspberry balsamic vinaigrette over the top right before serving the salad.

4. 

   Herbs give fruit a kick in flavor.

   Peel grapefruits and oranges and slice the fruit into rounds. Arrange the slices on a serving platter slightly touching each other. Drizzle honey on each one and add mint. Place a big serving spoon on the platter. Cover the fruit with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you are ready to eat.

5. 

   Serve lunch immediately after the pasta is finished.

   Boil water in a large pot and add the macaroni. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and butter the baking dish. Drain the pasta in a strainer when it is cooked. Melt the butter in the pot over medium heat. Add flour and stir the mixture for two minutes. Pour in milk slowly while stirring. Stir until the sauce thickens. Place the cheese, pepper and salt into the pot and stir until the cheese is melted. Mix in the pasta. Transfer the pasta to a baking dish and put it into the oven for 25 minutes until it is golden brown.

6. 

   Use tongs with a long handle.

   Grill the fish, chicken and/or beef. Let the fish sit for 8 minutes per inch of thickness. Place the chicken on the grill for about 10 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. Cut into the center to make sure there are no raw spots. Grill the hamburger patties for about 6 minutes per side, depending on your tastes. Transfer everything to a serving dish and place it on the table.

7. 

   Thank Mom for all she does.

   Fill a basket with French rolls to make a hamburger or chicken sandwich. Add slices of cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles to a plate. Place condiments, such as mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, on the table. Give a drink to each person and toast the mothers at the table.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash all produce.

• Make the grill as hot as you can.

• Salad will stay crisp if you drizzle dressing on it right before serving it.

• Add celebratory drinks, such as wine and champagne.

• Keep children away from the barbecue.

• Resist the urge to flatten your hamburger patties with a spatula.

• Cut into the thickest part to check if the chicken is done.

References

• Startcooking.com: Grilling Fish 101
• Grilling Companion; Burgers; March 2009

Resources

• Food.com: Mother's Day BBQ
• Real Simple: Mother's Day Brunch Recipe
• Real Simple: Macaroni and Cheese
• Specialspeeches.com: Tribute to Mother