Need some suggestions for sides!

[zzphenom]

Ok, so this memorial day we're doing a whole hog for the first time. While that's going to be the meat I need to prepare sides for the meal also. As of right now, I know we have potato salad, an italian pasta salad, that pasta salad with tuna, elbows and peas. I'm thinking we might make a rice dish, and MAYBE try our hand at moink balls.

The pig is only 60 pounds. We dont know how many people are going to show up, but I'm figuring 20-30 people. I've never ordered a pig so if I need bigger please tell me!

Anyway, I would love some advice on what other sides would go great with this meal, so any ideas and/or recipes would be great!

[Stoke&Smoke]

I would say these definitely! Keri C's hog apple baked beans
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...07&postcount=9

Cole slaw goes good with pig...so would a cucumber salad

MOINKS and ABT's will usually dissappear quickly, you could make fatties....the list is endless!

[King]

Originally Posted by Stoke&Smoke

I would say these definitely! Keri C's hog apple baked beans
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...07&postcount=9

Cole slaw goes good with pig...so would a cucumber salad

MOINKS and ABT's will usually dissappear quickly, you could make fatties....the list is endless!

I can't agree more with these suggestions.

[kevin robie]

It sounds good. I might suggest a fruit cobbler with vanilla ice cream for desert? It is easy to make, can be made ahead and easy to serve or warm up. I have a great recipe i'll share if interested...

[wildflower]

keg of beer would work for me

[Ashmont]

Originally Posted by wildflower

keg of beer would work for me

Why only one keg? You could try as a side a bbq parfait. (Clear 12oz cup with pork and beans in the bottom layered with pulled pork then coleslaw and a pickle spear for a spoon.)

[jeffboyette]

Gotta have some baked beans, with some hamburger and some of the pulled pork in it.
Moink balls, pig candy, abt's, fatty. Pick one or two, the priorty being (putting it on the pit and leaving it) I made the mistake of doing too much, and had to open the pit too often dropping temps and extending cooking time.

its good to have something for the men and womens to eat on while you patiently wait for the pig to get done when it gets done, not a minute sooner. And because of this its better to have appetizers than a bunch of sides.

[zzphenom]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I forgot about some of those. I'm definitely going to use some. Also I'm definitely interested in that cobbler recipe!

We're going to have the pig cooking on one cooker, while having another smoker available for other items. The smoke is kind of experimental, its basically a giant drum smoker. 3 foot diameter and approx 4' tall actual smoking area with the firebox so to speak below that. I've used it to cook ribs but I haven't used it for much else I'm looking forward to putting it through the ropes.

[cmcadams]

Tomato pie is a great side, easy to make, and people will love it. You can used canned tomatoes. Ask anyone at the Pretty Good BBQ what they thought of it.

For one hotel pan, use 4X28 ozs cans of crushed tomatoes, drained. Add salt and pepper to taste, dried basil (3-4 tbspn), oregano (2 tbsp), tarragon (2 tbsp). Top with mixture of 6 cups grated cheddar and 2-3 cups mayo (mixed to help spread), top with one sleeve of crushed up saltines. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or put in smoker until hot.

[Sean "Puffy" Coals]

Fire roasted corn on the cob. remove the silk but leave the husk and pull it back over the kernels. I did mine in the smoker with some rib-eyes and it was so sweet and juicy it didn't even need butter! You could if you wanted to, tho. I've seen others on the boards use herb butter also.

Baked potatoes would also be easy to do- all you have to do is cook them and the guests do all the rest!

[jimmyinsd]

gotta have the beans. if suppers got a little bark or char on it there has to be beans beside it.

we also chop up taters with garden veggies (beans, carrots, peppers, onions, seasoning and chopped bacon, wrap in foil with a shot of EVOO and throw it over some coals flipping occasionally.

[Harbormaster]

Originally Posted by cmcadams

Tomato pie is a great side, easy to make, and people will love it. You can used canned tomatoes. Ask anyone at the Pretty Good BBQ what they thought of it.

This is what I was going to suggest. I'm not a real big tomato guy, but this stuff rocked with BBQ.

[rookiedad]

diced mangoes, red onions and jalapenos with cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper.

[kevin robie]

sorry so late in responding. Use a full pan, disposable is fine. In bottom, put four sticks of salted butter and melt in oven. Add one number ten can of fruit such as sliced peaches or apples. Empty the whole can. I get them from GFS. Mix together 5 cups AP flour, 5 cups sugar, 2 TBS baking powder and enough milk to make consistency of pancake batter. Sprinkle one teaspoon of good cinnamon over fruit and dump in batter. Cook in oven at 375* for about one hour and uncover and cook 15 minutes to brown topping. This can be done a day or two ahead and then heated in the oven or grill. Top with a generous scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. This recipe will serve 25. It also freezes well and can be nuked one time.

[PatioDaddio]

Here are some recommendations from my recipe box:

Cucumber & Red Onion Salad

Grilled Salad

Southwest Slaw

Just some ideas,
John