The Caterist files ~ Springtime in Texas...the Yard Party

We, in Texas, love Springtime entertaining! As short as our actual Spring temperatures last, we have to take advantage of each opportunity to enjoy that great out of doors before the oppressive heat of Summer begins...it's ALWAYS early, that mean old Summer !! So we better get a move on!!

Some of our friends like the standard, casual, come as you are get together out in the yard...

and some of our wackier friends (wacky isn't a bad thing, after all!) like to do the Trailer Trash theme.

You know...let's see how far we can carry this whole "you might be a redneck if..." thing!!! It's a lot of fun, either way you go; and it's always a good time when you get to hang out outdoors! And, you know what? If it's too hot to be outside...have fun inside! Or both!

The decorating theme for these is fun and rustic! If it's not too terribly hot outdoors, we'll opt for an outdoors food buffet. However, if the temperatures are cause for worry about food safety, by all means, set up the food buffet indoors. Many times, we'll do the bar outside, with a small nibbles table, and the major food buffet inside. This set up presents wonderful opportunities for mingling and wandering about. Tables set up, both inside and out, insures that everyone will be comfortable!

This is one fun set up of a drink station!

Just a couple of oak barrels, a nice sturdy sheet of plywood or an old door...drape it with a burlap runner, if you want! Use whatever seasonal flowers you have at hand for a centerpiece. A few bar nibbles are in order, too!

For a Texas shindig, set up a decanter of sweet tea, one of lemonade and one more of something spiked...like The Cowgirl Quencher! I'll share that recipe in a bit! For the bottles and cans, a gussied up oversized galvanized tub works like a charm! Thanks to Giggles Galore for the Pinterest share!!!!

Okay, before we go and decorate the rest, we'll have a little of the Cowgirl Quencher...this is a Texas Roadhouse original...but I'm sharing the copycat version. It's all good!

For a large quantity:

1 cup Peachtree

1 cup Malibu Rum

2 cups grenadine

2 cups orange juice

2 cups pineapple juice

Mix well, chill and serve over ice with a garnish of orange slice.

To make it more punch-like, add in some Sprite or 7 Up!! Yum!!!

For fancy ice cubes, place bits of pineapple and orange in your trays, add water and freeze!

Float slice of orange and rings of pineapple in your decanter, if desired!

OK, back to work!

For these casual events, I like the look of burlap, with accents of gingham and/or bandana print.

Wood, pewter, tin...horseshoes, boots and wagon wheels...all fit in! If it's rustic, use it!

And, whether you're indoors or out, this bandana wrapped utensils idea will work brilliantly!

So, anyway, while 'everything's bigger in Texas', we like smaller sliders for this buffet! You can try more of the variety, rather than filling up on one big Texas sized burger! Use Dollar Rolls or Hawaiian Rolls, and top with your favorite toppings! A nice trio of Pulled Pork Sliders, Texas Brisket Sliders and Honey Mustard Fried Chicken Sliders is a good start!!!

On this buffet, besides the sliders, we'll be doing my Cast Iron Buttermilk Fried Chicken, a long time favorite. For our sides, we're enjoying Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Cowboy Party Beans, Buttery Sweet Corn on the Cob and Honey Sweet Cornbread. A Fruit Bowl with watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries, kiwi and blackberries is beautiful and delicious! Keep it cool, though! And, of course, there must be Sweet Endings!

I've got some more menu selections on the menu page, Deep in the Heart of Texas, under the 'More' tab...or click on this pretty little boot...it'll kick you right on over there!

You're welcome to pick what you want for your buffet!

Because I've got some temperature sensitive items on the buffet, this one may be best indoors, unless you've got cooling trays for the slaw and salads. Now, on our bar, outside, we're going to run with items that aren't going to spoil like that!

Texas Glazed Pecans, Texas Trash, Redneck Egg Rolls and Roadhouse TNT Dip with Tortilla Chips fit that bill!

Now, I've never been to the Texas Roadhouse, but the raves on some of their items are outrageous, and this really does sound delicious...it's very familiar as another one called Crack Dip, and some other funny names...anyway

This is courtesy of Secret Restaurant Recipes...it makes a LOT!! Brown 1 1/2# ground beef in a large heavy pot. Drain any accumulated grease. Add in one can of Cream of Mushroom Soup, 1/2 stick of butter, 2# Velveeta, 1 cup of your favorite salsa and 2 tablespoons of chili powder. Heat until fully melted, stirring to blend, over low heat. Alternately, you can brown the meat in a skillet and toss everything into your crockpot. Heat on low for a few hours, stirring occasionally, until melted, then hold warm. The heat won't hurt this one, it'll just help it to stay melty and gooey, but you still want to keep it covered so it doesn't form a skin. yuk!

This is one version of many of my Redneck Egg Rolls...it's the Texas Heat, which is a chile relleno in an egg roll. These disappear so fast, you don't have to worry about them being out for too long!

And the Texas Trash Snack Mix, this is an easy one. You can find these snack mixes anywhere and everywhere nowadays! Add in what you like, such as whole roasted almonds, or wasabi nuts...have fun with it!

And while you're making memories, don't forget to take pictures!!! This is the moment to have that old Polaroid at hand!!! You remember...shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture! That way, your friends get to take home their memories!

A few bales of hay, stacked up make a wonderful backdrop. (and they'll repurpose themselves this Autumn, in your Fall decorations!!)

And a simple Wanted Poster made from poster board and mounted on backing makes a stellar frame for photo ops! And set out some coyboy accoutrements, like hats, bandanas, a lasso, maybe dress up an old sawhorse as a roping contest...this is priceless! Take lots of pictures!

Most of these are the casual end of the spectrum...they'll go with the standard Texas Yard Party and will go equally as well for your Redneck Soiree'!! It's going to be a good time!!! Friends, enjoy!!

#Texasyardparty #TexasPartyMenu #RedneckParty #TrailerTrashParty