Here in Portland the temps are teasing us with Summer and just in time for a fabulous three-day Memorial Day weekend. I’m planning on opening up the grill and having guests over for a laid-back cookout this weekend and have been planning my menu and supplies already. Food safety, deliciousness, and fun are all on my mind!
Also, because Memorial Day and Fourth of July are just around the corner I’d create some fun printables to make the party just a little bit more special. Each of the free printables are both pretty and functional! Scroll down to download your free printables!
Don’t forget to stay safe while entertaining outdoors!
Basic Food Safety Tips for Outdoor Entertaining:
- Keep cold foods cold! Nest serving dishes on dishes of ice to keep cold. One cool trick is to put a little water in a large bowl and freeze. Once frozen fill the bowl with more water, place a smaller bowl inside and then freeze again. You’ll have a perfect ice bowl to keep your meal cool for the duration of the time outdoors.
- Keep hot food hot. Serve right off the grill or use a disposable chafing dish.
- Avoid foods that can go bad easily like mayo and eggs.
- Try not to keep food out more than 2 hours unless kept at safe heating or cooling temps. (Cold needs to be below 40 degrees, hot should be at 140 degrees or hotter.)
(Try my easy, 4-ingredient, no-mayo pasta salad at your next outdoor meal!)
Printing Directions:
- Print in full color on cardstock weight, white paper.
Drink Covers or Coasters:
- Cut out circles around dark blue line – can use as coasters as is or continue to create drink covers
- Punch a hole in the cover the size of your straw, place on glass with straw inserted
DIY Food Trays:
- Cut out around outline and then cut where there are dashed linees
- Fold along all solid white folding lines
- Glue or tape each small flap on the inside of the folded lip directly to the right of it.
- Line with wax paper or napkins and it is ready for your hot dogs!
Napkin Rings:
- Cut along dark blue line.
- Wrap around your napkins.
- Glue or tape in place. Do not glue/tape to napkin but rather the other side of the printed ring.