Recipes for the patio, daddy-o

With warmer weather upon us and the summer, a period of (generally) less responsibility, approaching, outside eating affairs will occur more often. Like apartment dinner parties or other meal-inclusive events, BBQ's can involve a bit of work and planning. But of course, it is possible for party hosts to have just as much fun as their guests do. Hopkins students surveyed provided some suggestions for organizing and planning a BBQ or picnic, commenting on what makes these events successful. Consider the propositions if you intend to fire up the grill soon.

What to serve your guests should be the foremost concern. Hungry people are not happy people. Hopkins students seem to favor traditional summertime fare for their social gatherings. Your regular, average burgers and hot dogs will do (including the soy or veggie variety for your meat-loathing friends) and potato salad and watermelon were also mentioned as favorites. Informants, though consistent in food preferences, were divided on the choice of homemade over store-bought dishes. Freshman Sheila Dickson has no problem with pre-made selections, so long as the host "makes it look like homemade." Thus, how much time spent preparing the food is up to you.

If you are feeling adventurous however, you may want to try the following BBQ recipes, found on http://allrecipes.com:

Campfire Banana Splits

6 large bananas

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 (10.5 oz.) package miniature marshmallows

Directions

1 . Tear sheets of aluminum foil to wrap bananas in. Spray the aluminum foil with cooking spray.

2 . Cut the stem from the banana, but leave the peel on. Slice the peel of the banana from stem to bottom, then carefully open the banana just enough to place the chocolate chips and marshmallows inside the banana and peel.

3. Stuff the sliced banana with as much of the chocolate chips and marshmallows as desired.

4 . Wrap the bananas with the aluminum foil and place on the grill or right in the coals of the fire. Leave in long enough to melt the chips and the marshmallows.

Pineapple Chicken Tender

1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup light soy sauce

2 lbs. chicken breast tenders, raw

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar and soy sauce. Remove from heat just before the mixture comes to a boil.

2 . Place chicken tenders in a medium bowl. Cover with juice mixture, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.

3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate. Thread chicken onto wooden skewers.

4. Grill chicken tenders about five minutes per side, until no longer pink and juices run clear. They cook quickly, so watch them closely.

Cheesy Tortillas

2 (8 inch) flour tortillas

2 tablespoons whole kernel corn, drained

4 ounces shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

1 tomato, sliced

Directions

1. Heat a flat grill or skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Layer a tortilla with the corn and cheese. Place the second tortilla on top.

3. Heat until the cheese is melted and both tortillas are slightly brown. Top with the tomato slice and serve

So now that they've eaten, you need to provide activities to occupy your guests. Bored people, like famished ones, are not happy people. Many students associated BBQ's with pool parties. Freshman Angela Chung also suggested the use of water guns at such gatherings but asserted that drier activities like scavenger hunts or capture the flag, can also be fun. "Anything that makes people run around," she said. If your party lasts until it gets dark, it may also be fun to get a campfire going and be sure to have a steady stream of music setting the tone for the event.

Lastly, it's obvious that whether or not you put energy, effort and planning into an outside event, the weather will be a factor in your fun. Consider that when making plans and have an alternate location and activity on standby. You may not be able to move a game of Frisbee or volleyball inside, but board games or movies may serve as backup entertainment in a pinch. At any rate pray for sunshine and happy gathering, feasting and relaxing.