Beach picinic appetizers

[Professor Salt]

I'm hosting a beach picnic for about 30 people, and I'd like to make some appetizer items before the main meal. It will be a California casual event. It can either be a cold appetizer that's made ahead, or something that can be grilled on site. I will have a charcoal grill at my disposal.

Entrees will be smoked beef tri tip, grilled fish brochettes, grilled veggie skewers, some sort of bean dish, potato salad or possibly whole ember baked potatoes, cooked in the fire ring of the beach. For dessert, we'll have a dutch oven cobbler, baked in the fire ring.

So while I'm cooking the mains, I'd like to have a snack ready to go that would fit in with this menu. Any suggestions?

[JEN10]

Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail shooters.

[boyzoma]

Oh yum. I think that is a great idea! Pick up some of those little multi-colored plastic shot glasses from your local party place along with the little multi-colored cocktail forks.

[boyzoma]

Since it will be a beach picnic, I would make some summer rolls ahead of time with some various choices of dipping sauces.

[Professor Salt]

That would also be a great idea. I want to tie this into a local food theme, so representing the large Viet population with summer rolls would be a great idea.

[Phurstluv]

Another thought: bruschettas with different toppings. You can grill the bread there or ahead. Make a couple of different toppings, put them in containers, top and tray at the beach.

Just last night we finished off some with fava beans, bacon & feta, dressed with a touch of lemon juice & fg pepper. So good. Some ideas could be traditional chopped tomatoes. herbs & oil; I also like some with tapenade or an herbed ricotta. The fava beans or fresh shelled peas can be pureed, and garnished with bacon crumbles & grated cheese or herbs. I even like a lightly dressed salad of micro herbs & lettuces with an interesting vinaigrette on top of grilled bread. Very versatile & portable.

[Professor Salt]

I was thinking along the lines of a crostini + topping. I would like to have fresh burrata as a component, but it costs alot. Unless the boss ok's $30 worth of burrata, I will pitch the very good ideas you have.

[Phurstluv]

Love burrata. But save it for yourself & friends at home, not for a beach picnic for 30.

[janetms383]

I had a summer beach picnic and we had a fire ring. I used a long handled skillet and made sauteed mushrooms with garlic, butter and white wine and cooked them over the open fire. They disappeared like magic.

[Professor Salt]

As it turns out, the fire rings are a little far from my picnic area, so managing both sites would be a pain for one cook. I might use the fire rings to make smores once the party moves over to the sand.

[appycamper]

shrimp quesadillas with peppers and onions. sour cream and fresh salsa on the side. easy to prep the shrimp, peppers and onions at home, then assemble and throw on the grill at the beach. cut in whatever size with a pizza cutter.

[Phurstluv]

Great call. Love the shrimp idea.

Last year for the Fourth, at the beach we made some BBQ nachos. Using an aluminum roasting pan, I layered corn & tortilla chips with cheeses, and some salsa and bbq sauce. Layered bottom with another layer of h-d foil and put on the hot grill and cover until cheese melted. Drizzle with ranch dressing. You can also toss in cooked chicken or pork, jalapenos and garnish with avocado dice.