An elegant garden party with finger sandwiches, tea cakes and beautiful china is undeniably romantic. But who has time to make those tiny sandwiches, ice the tea cakes, or clean all those fragile forks? A backyard cookout in this day and age usually means friends coming together to take advantage of warm weather without such dainty bites and formalities. So instead of spending hours preparing, opt for premade foods that do the work for you, like Earth Grown’s plant-based products, ideal for any festive summer meal and available at ALDI. The flavorful, easy-to-prepare frozen foods remove the hassle from planning while offering options that will appeal to everyone — vegetarians or not. Here’s what you need to host a cookout that’s easy, delicious and fun.
Start by stocking up
Plan a no-fuss menu featuring familiar dishes that will appeal to the full spectrum of guests. Earth Grown Black Bean Chipotle Burgers, full of spices and packed with protein, fit this bill. Load up on buns, condiments and some big bags of chips for your alfresco feast. Then just add some fresh vegetables for toppings: lettuce, sliced onions and thickly cut tomatoes.
Aim to please
No matter the type, cheese is a real crowd-pleaser. Earth Grown Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds are the ideal dairy-free topping for everything from Earth Grown Veggie Burgers to homemade pizza bagels. When these pre-shredded pieces melt, they get gooey and creamy; straight from the bag — as a topping for salads, say — they add a welcome pop of salt. Cheddar more your style? Go with Earth Grown Vegan Cheddar Style Shreds on a platter of nachos or to top grilled veggie tacos.
Earth Grown Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds
Earth Grown Vegan Cheddar Style Shreds
Lean into nostalgia
A range of finger foods is a fun way to keep things extra-casual. Dunking Earth Grown Chickenless Tenders, bites of breaded soy protein, into favorite condiments such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard or spicy mayo will make you feel like a kid again — though they are great for kids, adults will love them just as much. Another great fork-free option: Earth Grown Vegan Classic Meatless Meatballs served on toothpicks, or used to fill mini meatball-sub sliders.
Earth Grown Vegan Meat Free Chickenless Tenders
Earth Grown Vegan Classic Meatless Meatballs
Quench your thirst
When going through your checklist, don’t forget about the drinks. Water is essential, of course, especially on a hot day, and additional beverages — from seltzer and soda to wine, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic options — will elevate your cookout from chill hang to thoughtful gathering. Our advice: Pick up a few of your favorite wines to pair with Earth Grown Kale Veggie Burgers or Earth Grown Quinoa Crunch Veggie Burgers, and savor how the wine changes the way you taste the burgers and vice versa.
End on a sweet note
When the finger foods and veggie burgers are just about gone, it’s time to bring out a few surprises from the freezer. For a treat on a stick, try decadent Earth Grown Non-Dairy Ice Cream Bars in Salted Caramel or Peanut Butter, both dipped in chocolate coating.
Earth Grown Salted Caramel Non-Dairy Ice Cream Bars
