Barbecue on a Budget: Throw a Cook-Out for 20 for Under $120

NATICK, Mass., June 10, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- BJ | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Throw your budget on the barbie this summer - especially if it's lean. While many people are looking to cut back, they don't have to sacrifice quality and fun times when it comes to summer entertaining and backyard barbecues.

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Gather friends and family, appoint a grill master and pull together a mix of familiar cook-out fare. A combination of home-grilled and already-prepared foods makes putting together a party for 20 guests easy and affordable - all for less than $120.

"There's nothing that says 'party' more clearly in the summer than cooking on the grill," said Chris Neppl, Executive Vice President of Merchandising at BJ's Wholesale Club. "While many families are on a stricter budget this year, hosting a cookout is economical with BJ's Wholesale Club's wide assortment of fresh meats, vegetables and fruits, packed with great flavor and fun."

Less costly cuts of meat are traditional choices for the All-American cookout: The most popular foods for the grill are hamburgers (82 percent), steak (79 percent), chicken (72 percent) and hot dogs (71 percent), according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. Fourth of July (69 percent), Memorial Day (56 percent) and Labor Day (50 percent) are the favorite holidays for cooking out, it says.

Charcoal manufacturer Kingsford Products Co. offers these tips (and more) for cooking on the grill:

    --  Keep foods from sticking by rubbing the grill with vegetable oil or
        cooking spray.
    --  Leave space around each food on the grill to allow for even cooking.
    --  Turn meat just once. Turn steaks when the juices start to bubble on the
        uncooked side.
    --  Apply sauces containing honey, brown sugar or molasses during the last
        10 minutes.
    --  Keep a spray bottle filled with water nearby to spritz flare-ups, which
        can blacken food.
    --  Place cooked foods on a clean plate, not one that held raw meat, fish or
        poultry.
    --  Once cooled, brush the grill surface with a wired brush to remove stuck
        on food.

A barbecue menu for 20 guests for less than $120 includes:

The Main Event

    --  BJ's Fresh Lean Ground Beef Hamburgers, which includes 16 patties
        weighing in at 5.29 pounds ($14.23)
    --  Oscar Mayer(R) All Beef Premium Franks (21 count) made from 100 percent
        pure beef ($7.29)
    --  MorningStar Farms(R) Garden Veggie Patties(R) Veggie Burgers (16 count)
        to satisfy the vegetarians in the group ($11.99)

    --  Berkley & Jensen(R) hamburger buns (two 16 count) and hot dog buns
        (one 16 count) ($1.99 each)

On the Side

    --  Wellsley Farms(R) Deli Fresh Red Bliss Potato Salad in 48 oz. tub made
        fresh with flavorful ingredients ($5.99)
    --  Hillcrest Farms(R) Sweet Corn on the Cob for grilling pumps up the fresh
        and sweet taste, break them in half to share (two 6-count packs) ($3.99
        each)
    --  Frito-Lay(R) Pick N'Pack chips includes varieties such as Nacho
        Cheese Doritos(R) (17 oz. bag) and Lays(R) Classic Potato Chips (15 1/8
        oz. bag).  Mix and match two sets of any two bags ($5.98 each pair)

    --  Del Monte(R) Fresh Fruit Tray includes 56 oz. of freshly cut Pineapple,
        Cantaloupe, Honey Dew, Grapes and Watermelon ($5.99)

Dress it Up

    --  Wellsley Farms(R) American Cheese Slices (72 count) to compliment the
        hamburgers ($7.99)
    --  Dole(R) Iceberg Lettuce crisp from the farm (two heads) ($1.39 each)
    --  Sunset Gourmet Plum Tomatoes includes 3 lbs. worth of  juicy tomatoes
        ($6.99)

    --  Heinz(R) Picnic Pack, which includes two 32 oz. plastic ketchup bottles,
        one 28 oz. plastic yellow mustard bottle and one 26 oz. plastic sweet
        relish bottle ($7.99)

Irresistible Endings

    --  M&M'S(R) Cookies in a more than 2lb. container ($6.99)

    --  BJ's Large Cupcake Platter features 12 chocolate cakes topped with
        vanilla frosting and sprinkles ($4.99)

Drink Up

    --  Country Time(R) Lemonade will bring old-fashioned taste to any barbeque
        (34 qt. container) ($5.59)

    --  Berkley & Jensen(R) Variety Pack of soda include six each of
        lemon-lime, orange, root beer and grape soda ($4.99)

For a grand total of $119.71, just add favorite outdoor toys and games to complete the barbecue.

To locate a club or to shop online, go to www.bjs.com. For additional product information, high-resolution images or samples, please contact Jackie Guzman at (561) 998-1995.

About BJ's Wholesale Club

BJ's Wholesale Club is dedicated to providing its members with high-quality, brand name merchandise at prices that are significantly lower than the prices found at supermarkets, supercenters, department stores, drug stores and specialty retail stores. BJ's offers low BJ's Member Pricing on a huge selection of groceries, top-brand apparel and accessories, small appliances, consumer electronics, fine jewelry, and other quality merchandise.

Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. is a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern United States. The Company currently operates 182 clubs and 103 gas stations in 15 eastern states. Learn more about BJ's Wholesale Club or shop online at www.bjs.com.

SOURCE BJ?s Wholesale Club

http://www.bjs.com

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