Backyard Cookout in your DSLD Home

Cookouts are so much fun in the summer, especially in your DSLD home. Below are some of our top 5 tips for hosting the best summer event! 

We all want to enjoy our time spent with family and friends. So, choosing delicious, yet easy meals during your event is key. Here are a few of our favorite dishes - your classic BBQ chicken, smoked sausage, grilled corn on the cob, baby back ribs, baked beans, and don’t forget that veggie option! (Click here to print DSLD’s Ultimate Grocery List)

We all love to stock up on a few of our favorite sodas for the cooler. However, how great would it be to also offer a refreshing fruit punch? We found the perfect recipe that should be a hit with all of your guests. * And don’t forget to stock up on ice!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 - 12 oz can frozen pineapple juice concentrate thawed
• 1 - 6 oz can frozen limeade concentrate thawed
• 4 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 liter club soda chilled
• Assorted fruits (such as strawberries raspberries, blueberries, oranges, limes, and pineapple)
• Garnishes such as fresh mint

INSTRUCTIONS

• Pour thawed pineapple juice concentrate and thawed limeade concentrate in a large pitcher.
• Add cold water and most of the club soda, reserving about 1/3 cup.
• Stir to combine and chill until cold.
• Add ice cubes and assorted fruits to serving glasses and pour in chilled punch.
• Garnish as desired and top off glasses with a splash of extra club soda for extra "fizz".

(Full recipe) 

Plan a few activities that will guarantee to entertain your guests, as well as bring everyone into a festive mood. Keep in mind, entertaining is not just about the delicious food that you prepare but also about a carefree yet lively atmosphere. Adults and kids alike love a little game of horseshoe, potato sack races, and bean bag toss, just to name a few. Don’t worry, there is no need to spend a lot of money planning your backyard festivities, keep it simple and fun! (Remember the egg and spoon race)?

Let’s face it, most of us love dessert. Every party should have a sweet treat, so why not cool down with something fruity and cold? Popsicles and ice-cream are always a nice way to end a party! Check out this delicious and easy way to make strawberry popsicles that will be sure to impress!

Ingredients:

• 2 ten ounce bags of frozen strawberries (or 1 1/2 pints of fresh strawberries quartered and frozen)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• Equipment:
• Measuring cup
• Small sauce pan
• Wooden spoon
• Blender
• Popsicle mold (sold at most local grocery stores)

Directions:

In a small sauce pan make simple syrup by combining the sugar and water, then cook on medium high heat just until the sugar is dissolved completely. Do not boil. Set aside to cool. Once simple syrup is cooled, fill up your blender with half of the strawberries and pour in the simple syrup. Blend until you get a smooth slurry, then add in the other half of strawberries and blend again until smooth. Pour the mixture into the molds, then freeze for 12 hours or overnight. ENJOY! (Full Recipe)

The joy of hosting a cookout is that it is usually pretty casual. There is no need to overdo it with lavish accessories, decorations, and furniture. Cut the lawn, grill up some grub, put on some good tunes, and enjoy some backyard fun in your DSLD home!