Genius ways to throw a better barbecue

AS THE summer begins to really heat up, many of you may be thinking of heating up the barbecue too. After all, what’s more fun than gathering friends and family for a sunny, backyard picnic or a garden party under the stars? I know I love it.

But I’ve always found that a little bit of planning can take a perfectly nice meal outside to the next level and make it a truly memorable event. Have you got a theme in mind? What kind of lighting are you thinking of ? And most importantly, what can you serve that will really wow your guests?

Here are just a few fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Take a look, try some of them out and before you know it, your little barbecue can be transformed into a party to remember.

Be a Grill Master

Start with a clean, oiled grill to keep food from sticking. Preheat the grill, give it a scrub with a grill brush and then brush it with vegetable oil. Avoid turning meats frequently on the grill -- one flip is all they need. Once your meats are grilled to your taste, let them rest for a few minutes on a warm plate tented with foil. This gives the meat time to “rest” and lets the juices regroup for the best flavor.

Choose a Theme

Make your barbecue stand out by choosing a theme. Maybe a Hawaiian luau would be fun. A clambake, surf and turf or even just deciding on a color scheme are other options. Choosing a theme will also help you narrow down menu options and décor.

Dress Up Your Décor

Choose colorful tablecloths to brighten up eating spaces. If you’re going for a shabby chic look, add rustic-looking servingware. If you want things more sleek, opt for modern pieces. And as the sun goes down, you’ll want to add lighting. Citronella candles will keep unwelcome bugs away and provide additional lighting, while twinkling white Christmas lights or lanterns will help your outdoor space feel cozy.

Plan the Perfect Menu

Consider how many guests are coming. For smaller groups, you can add more detail to the menu -- offer breads like ciabatta or baguettes instead of the usual buns, or a nice selection of cheeses to make the meal more upscale. If your barbecue is on the larger side, stick to the basics with a few extra twists: avocado slices or garlic mayonnaise as toppings, cucumber or lemon slices in pitchers of water. Take into account non-meat eaters, too.

Don’t Skip the Side Dishes

While the star of barbecues are often the grilled meats, side dishes are important too -- especially if you have non-meat eaters in the group. Take advantage of summer fruits and vegetables like sweet corn, tomatoes and watermelon. This easy watermelon gazpacho, herbed sweet corn and tomato salad or summer vegetable kebabs all use in-season favorites.

Prep the Night Before

To ease barbecue day anxiety, prepare as much as you can the night before. Marinate meats overnight, assemble side dishes and chop up any fruits or vegetables you’ll need. Ideally, the only foods left to make on barbecue day are the ones being cooked on the grill.

Keep Kids Busy

If there will be children at your party, offer activities they can keep busy with while the adults spend time together. A slip and slide, water balloons or inexpensive water guns are all fun games on a hot summer day, while an arts and crafts table will allow kids to take a memento home.