A Country Barbecue for Six

As we all ready our patios and porches for the Fourth, firing up the grill and mixing up margaritas, mojitos,  or perhaps even my no-fail sangria, here's a country barbecue I hosted at the house, hoping to inspire your own creativity this summer.     

For the table, I wanted it to feel like a classic country barbecue with a cool, vintage vibe. The tablecloth I made from inexpensive fabric and Stitch Witchery from Jo-ann's, topped with a mix of repurposed servingware and linens, collected over years. The oval plates are ironstone platters, perfect for holding multiple sides, while the yellow gingham napkins are dishtowels from the 40s, never before used. I found them at the Rose Bowl in March, after a spin through the market with readers, California-style. The glasses for water are simple cut crystal while for wine, pressed glass with a railroad etch. Finally, for the flatware, it's my grandmother Dottie's red Bakelite set with an Art Deco handle I love.

For the buffet, I used an old farm table, salvaged from the street, while the red gingham tablecloth I found shopping the Goodwill in Milwaukee after a lake front walk in June. It was used and loved when I found it, yellowing in spots, but nothing a bit of Lestoil and lemon couldn't clean. The shasta daisies grow wild in the fields around our house and for the vessel, it's an antique ironstone pudding mold with a wide opening, perfect for a spray of white on the table. This was a menu of simple recipes, some my own, others passed down through the family: boursin-stuffed burgers, good organic hot dogs, sliced barbecue chicken breast, Dottie's macaroni salad and my mother Margie's creamy, comforting potato salad. Finally, for the condiments, skip the bottles and opt for something pretty. I used a few of my creamware bowls with silverplate spreaders from the flea market. Good presentation, I find, is all in the details.

Finally, for dessert, an American classic with a twist: individual pound cakes made in a muffin pan. To the batter, I added both lemon rind and lemon thyme—it grows wild in the stone wall behind our house—then topped each cake with a simple confectioners sugar glaze. The result was a savory-sweet, lemony-delicious dessert and the perfect finish to a summer barbecue in the country.

All this talk of food is making me hungry! What are you serving for the Fourth?

Comments

[Ann]

I don't know I'm not getting all your feeds so I'm playing catch up. Dam I wish I saw this earlier. Why can't we be neighbors - we'd have amazing bbqs. Love Love the Shasta daisies. Cannot get them to grow in our yard for the life of me. Love the whole yellow and white theme. Might have to steal that one for my next bbq. We did white hydrangeas and some funky red flower in tea pots with steak, artichokes and orzo salad. I am 100% in agreement of condiments in unique containers vs. in bottles yuck!

[Emily]

Oh, I just adore the idea of the personal pound cakes in muffin tins! What a grand thought! We're having people over for dessert in a couple weeks and I think I might just have to steal the whole thing and pass it off as my own.... -e

[The Blushing Hostess]

So pretty, Eddie. I love the yellow touches as nod to the daisy's. Perfect entertaining Americana. Be well!

[Cherry@NewburghRestoration]

You really made regular food look awesome! That I think is the trick to it all.

[Dana]

What a lovely blog! I would love to exchange links with you! Please let me know :)

[Mona from T.O.]

Eddie you never cease to amaze! What a gorgeous way to serve a country BBQ!

I love the daisies, the color scheme and the table setting!

I was antiquing in Fenelon Falls, Ontario this week - I saw a lot of serving ware with bone handles, etched glasses and more - I didn't buy anything because I wasn't sure of the prices - which is why I am looking forward to Christie's!!

[LindsB]

What a fun BBQ- of course everything is set up perfectly- love it all!! Hope you two had a good 4th!

[Melanie]

You have so many beautiful things. Where do you keep them all???

[kinha]

Hi!
I'm glad to visit a great blog. Smart posts and beautiful photos. I like to contact people, all over the world, by his blogs.Would you follow me,because I'm afraid to lost your blog?I'm waiting your visit. Thank's

[pve]

I have yellow gingham napkins with a bright tablecloth too and am serving bbq ribs, corn, german potato salad, grilled veggies, watermelon and lots of fresh fruit - flag cake in the works!
pve

[Shawn]

Fresh figs with goat cheese, antipasto platter, tomato and mozarella salad, corn on the cob, first of the season Maryland crabs! Fresh berry pie for dessert and your sangria recipe! all in blue-rimmed serving dishes from Spain on our deck outside. I have no red for the holiday and no bakelite utensils :( but I do have some lovely vintage silver serving utensils with someone else's monogram on them! and gorgeous, deep purple butterfly bush sprays for the buffet table. I am great at copying you Eddie!

[ABCOroville]

The pictures make me want to have company on the Fourth. We will be feted elsewhere. As usual the table is fabulous. It is such a joy to read your blog and feel your enthusiasm for life. Keep up the good work. Best to you and Jaithan.
Ann

[elizabeth]

This is so pretty! I appreciate the details like putting condiments in something pretty. Not everybody tends to care about those little things, but they make me happy:)

[Estelle Gabel]

Once a year I fry chicken--so tomorrow I begin marinating the chicken in buttermilk and I make mashed potato salad. Coming from the midwest-there is always room for Jello! On Saturday I fry the chicken, put out the crudites, the potato salad and the jello. Dessert is always watermelon. This is a simple meal that is mostly make ahead and has great leftovers.

[Yansy]

Hi Eddy,

I have said this before but I will repeat it one more time. You are amazing, no one does it like you. You are such an inspiration and I can't wait to see what you put together for the 4th of July.

From a girl in Miami wishing she could be in NY spending the 4th of July at your home.

[Stella]

I'm a loyal follower of your blog! I love when you post about the different meals you host. I savor every detail you dish out. Keep posts of this nature coming, they keep my wheels turning and ideas flowing. Inspiration sensation, no doubt. Happy 4th!

[Renae]

Eddie!
Wow...what a wonderful BBQ!! Your food looks fab and I love margaritas and mojitos! Have a super 4th!
Blessings...

[Mary Fong]

Eddie,
When are you going to write a big coffee table book like your mentor Martha Stewart? It could be a renovation book detailing the transformation of your new old farmhouse. It could be an entertainment book about your tablescapes and your seasonal recipes. It could be a a trash to treasure book featuring the before and afters from your thrift store finds. I would buy them all! Pitch the idea to Potter Books on Monday!
Your fan,
Mary

[Kate at Centsational Girl]

Well, I'll certainly be trying a version of your No Fail Sangria in my giant beverage jar, complete with frozen morsels of fresh fruit. Looks so delish !

[Pinky]

I just found the recipe! Thanks!!!!! Pinky

[Pinky]

HI Eddie, we are going to a picnic at friends so no cooking here, but I know it will all be delish! YOUR dessert looks WONDERFUL! I am going to have to try that! Do you have a recipe you could share???? I LOVE something lemony after a BBQ....it's the perfect ending! Happy 4th!!!!!!!!!! Pinky

[Jan]

O.K. its official -- I'm nominating you for Party Czar for these United States! You are simply the best candidate for this position! Somebody cue the music! Let the fireworks sparkle! Let's Dance and Make it a Glorious Fourth! (best video for the Day: Fred Astaire (and the firecracker dancing) in "Holiday Inn")

Jan at the less-than-partied Rosemary Cottage

[LeilaMac]

This is just the sweetest country setting! I love every bit of it - so classy yet comfy. (And the boursin stuffed burgers sound DELISH!)

We'll be having 4th of July on the Chesapeake: a crab pick (a bushel of steamed crabs on a newspaper covered table), mini crab cakes, grilled corn, my mom's famous broccoli slaw salad, and watermelon...and of course our favorite for dessert: Klondike bars.

[Darci]

I so love these inspiration posts. The individual pound cakes are brilliant. I serve this as my go-to summer dessert and will have to try this option.

[Terri]

Good Lord Eddie, why wasn't I invited? Those pound cake muffins look dangerous. ; )

[lynne- lynne'sgiftfromtheheart]

Hi Eddie, what a darling comforting, welcoming table setting. The yellow and white scream welcome. I have firmed up the menu for the w/k, however yours looks delicious.. Happy Fourth... hugs ~lynne~

[Katarina]

Now am getting hungry!Your fault! ha ha ha
That's a very inviting table setting! :)

I will always remember the last time I saw my grandmother. I hadn't seen her for a long time and I went up with my son to visit her. She had set the table with a white table cloth and taken out her finest silver ware. THAT made me feel so special and welcomed. I was so afraid that maybe we might spill on that nice table cloth, but my grandmother said "Don't worry, that can be taken care of if that happens, don't worry, dear" and smiled.My grandmother was the best in all the world. I spent many summers alone with her. She used to sit on the toiletseat and read me stories while I took baths. She made me her "special" panncakes which she served with her home made jam. She was a great cook and always welcomed me with a big warm hug and my face always got squished into her big bosom and she always smelled newly baked. I was always welcome at her place. :)

[Kari]

Yumm. Looks so good. Our 4th tradition is hamburgers and root beer floats!

[Libbie Summers]

Eddie, Just wanted to tell you I always enjoy your posts and photography...inspiring. The individual pound cakes with the lemon thyme are lovely. Let us know when you want to come down to Savannah. Again, thank you. Libbie Summers

[Cyndi Deal]

Hi Eddie,

Everything looks scrumptious! How long do you cook the pound cake in the muffing pan? This is such a cool idea.

The red, white and yellow reminds me of my lovely aunt's porch of long ago.

Cyndi

[Barbara]

Those are oxeye daisies, a wildflower, not Shasta daisies, the garden perennial. But both are simple in their beauty... How long did you cook the individual poundcakes? I love that idea for a summer picnic. - Barbara

[Virginia in Texas]

Oh,Eddie. I don't which is lovelier. Your table/presentation OR the shot of your yard: gate and greenery! It's just lovely. Happy 4th to you & Jaithan.

[Cailean]

Loooooove your inspiring posts and colors, always! You are so talented. Thank you for bringing blogs up to the "next level."

[Design Esquire]

Eddie, everything looks beautuiful! I love getting inspiration from your posts. I hope you have a great 4th of July!

[Kary Gonyer]

Hi Eddie ! I just love the table setting. I really like red and yellow together. My favorite combination. Great farm table too ! What am I serving ? I just want old fashion too. All American fare. BBQ burgers, corn on the cob, yankee doodle macaroni salad. And for desert. It is gonna have to be blueberry,raspberry,strawberry shortcakes.With plenty of fresh whipped cream. Happy 4th !
Best,
Kary