McKinney - The Outdoor Table: The Ultimate Cookbook for Your Next Backyard BBQ, Front-Porch Meal, Tailgate, or Picnic: Includes 200

2015 by April McKinney and Bryan Curtis

Photos 2015 Thomas Nelson

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Photography by Stephanie Mullins

Food and Prop Styling by Teresa Blackburn

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ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-2220-4 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015930052

ISBN-13: 978-0-7180-2219-8

15 16 17 18 19 QG 6 5 4 3 2 1

CONTENTS

I have developed such a deep appreciation for the tradition of gathering around an outdoor table. In fact, my most vivid memories from my childhood are of the many backyard barbecues that included my grandpas chicken wings and my moms frosted brownies. My cousins and I spent many summer days with a picnic lunch in my grandmothers garden. Afternoons by the pool were for sipping fresh lemonade and digging into ruby-red watermelon with a sprinkle of salt.

As a young married couple, my husband and I have already established a love of eating outdoors, whether its just the two of us or with the people we love. As we begin our own family, my wish is that my children will also spend many summer evenings outdoors, nibbling on appetizers and sides in between catching fireflies, with the sound of adult laughter in the background. These are the sweet memories of my childhood, and I cant wait for my little ones to experience the same carefree days and nights under the stars.

As much as my family, friends, and I love entertaining on porches and patios, we also love packing up a picnic basket or cooler for a night of entertainment or a day of tailgating. So along with all kinds of amazing recipes in this book, I have included a variety of special events and outdoor venues that will give you the perfect opportunity to try out some of these tasty dishes. From the early spring to late in the fall, there are outdoor venues where you can enjoy live music, dancing, movies, and tailgating, of course! Be sure to check the websites for these events as dates and times can change each year.

In an age of televisions, computers, and technology, eating outdoors gives us the rare opportunity to simply be entertained by good food and great company. My hope is that as you flip through the pages of this book, you will be excited by these recipes enough to host a just because barbecue or pack up a picnic and make some priceless memories with the ones you love. May this book be the inspiration behind many sweet days filled with warm sunshine, heavenly food, and lots of laughter.

NOTE: In this cookbook, the grilling recipes are written for a gas grill. If you prefer to use a charcoal grill, light the charcoal, and then spread it to build your fire. If you are cooking over high heat, light enough charcoal to have a double layer; for lower heat, use only a single layer of charcoal. For indirect heat, push all of the charcoal to one side of the coal grate and cook on the other side of the grill.

RECIPE GUIDE

The following icons found at the end of recipes indicate the best types of outdoor events for serving.

porch	picnic
tailgate	bbq

There is nothing like the taste of fresh watermelon to cool you off on a hot summer day. This fizzy drink makes the most of my favorite melon with the addition of a few simple ingredients. Kids and adults are going to love this sweet beverage.

cup fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons sugar

8 cups cubed watermelon

3 cups ginger ale

Lime wedges, for garnish

In a small saucepan combine the lime juice and sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool.

Place the watermelon cubes in the bowl of a food processor or blender container, and process until smooth. This may have to be done in batches depending on the size of your processor or blender. Pour the watermelon into a mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Discard the solids in the strainer, and stir the lime syrup into the liquid watermelon in the bowl. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart pitcher, and pour in the ginger ale right before serving. Garnish the glasses with the lime wedges, if desired.

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS.

TIP: For transporting, take the watermelon and lime mixture in a sealable pitcher so it can be shaken or stirred before adding the ginger ale.

I first sipped this sweet and tart drink at the historic Dock Street Theatre during a trip to magnificent Charleston, South Carolina. Some Charleston natives claim that the drink originated at the antebellum Planters Hotel as the specialty of the house. Regardless of its actual history, this drink has become a classic in the iconic Southern city, and I like to believe folks have been drinking it there for centuries.

2 cups fresh orange juice

2 cups pineapple juice

cup fresh lime juice

1 cup light rum

cup grenadine

Maraschino cherries, for garnish

Stir together the orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, rum, and grenadine in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the mixture over ice, and garnish it with a cherry, if desired.

MAKES 4 TO 5 SERVINGS.

One thing a good host knows how to do is dress up their guests drinks, even if its just water. At the rehearsal dinner for my wedding, my mother-in-law had large pitchers filled with water and citrus slices. It looked so pretty and tasted very refreshing. This sparkling lemon berry water is another simple way to beautify and enhance your water pitchers at an elegant outdoor gathering.

2 liters sparkling water, chilled

2 cups frozen berries (raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries)

2 lemons, sliced in -inch rounds

Combine the sparkling water, berries, and lemon slices in a 4-quart pitcher. Serve chilled.

MAKES 6 SERVINGS.

TIP: Using frozen berries keeps the water chilled without using ice cubes.