The Best Summer Beach Party Food

If you plan to throw a tropical beach party this summer, you may want to serve more than the standard barbeque fare. Trade in the hamburgers and hot dogs for exotically inspired tropical entrees and sides, sure to leave every guest happy. Make the meal as heavy or light as you'd like, using traditional meat entrees or lighter tropical fruit.

Ahi Appetizer

It wouldn't be a beach party without ahi, a classic tropical fish. Often served as an appetizer or entrée in exotic regions, ahi is a great choice for adult beach party-goers who enjoy raw seafood. Use caution when allowing children to sample.

What You'll Need

• Three-quarters of a pound of sashimi grade ahi, sliced
• One-half cup of soy sauce
• Two avocados
• Three-quarters of a cup of thinly sliced cucumber
• One and a half teaspoons of lemon juice
• One and a half teaspoons of crushed pepper
• One-half cup of chopped green onions
• A sauce of your choice to drizzle over the ahi, if you would like added flavor

Instructions:

1. Mix the tuna in a bowl with sliced avocado, onions, cucumber and pepper.
2. Pour the lemon juice and soy sauce over the mixture, and stir gently.
3. Chill the mixture on ice, inside of the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes.
4. Transfer the Mixture to a serving bowl and enjoy.

Ahi

Spareribs

Sweet And Sour Spareribs

Make these sweet and sour ribs in the kitchen, or on the grill at an outdoor beach party for a delicious and theme specific meal. Remove as much excess fat before cooking as possible to help reduce the calorie and fat content of the entrée.

What You'll Need:

• Two pounds of spare ribs
• Two teaspoons of salt
• One tablespoon of soy sauce
• One cup of brown sugar
• Two tablespoons of flour
• Three tablespoons of olive oil
• One-half cup of vinegar
• One and a half cups of water
• Two cloves of garlic, crushed

Instructions:

1. Lay the spare ribs in a baking pan.
2. Cover the ribs with soy sauce, then sprinkle on the flour.
3. On the stove, heat the olive oil in a sauce pan.
4. Rub the ribs with crushed garlic.
5. Add in the remaining ingredients to the sauce pan and allow to simmer for approximately 45 minutes.

Papaya Salad

Use this light and refreshing tropical salad to offer guests a healthier option to heavy meat entrees, or serve as a side dish to your party's entrée.

What You'll Need:

• One-fourth teaspoon of salt
• Two papayas
• One-eighth cup of lime juice
• One teaspoon of dijon mustard
• One head of lettuce

Instructions:

1. Peel the papaya and remove its seeds, then slice.
2. Blend the papaya in a food processor or blender, until smooth.
3. Mix the papaya blend with the remaining ingredients (except lettuce) in a small mixing bowl.
4. Pour the mixture over the lettuce, serve and enjoy.

Chicken Kabobs

Kabobs are a classic summertime food, and can be a great way to combine your favorite foods with tropical influences. Chicken is often a favorite for kids, and can provide a meal for younger party guests if the adults prefer raw seafood or grilled fish.

What You'll Need:

• 20 ounces of pineapple, sliced into chunks
• Three tablespoons of soy sauce
• Eight pieces of boneless, skinless chicken, cut into chunks
• Three tablespoons of brown sugar
• One tablespoon of sesame oil
• One-half teaspoon of garlic powder
• Skewers

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar and garlic powder.
2. Stir in the chicken and pineapple until thoroughly soaked in the mixture.
3. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least two hours to marinate.
4. Place alternating chunks of chicken and pineapple onto skewers and grill for approximately 15 minutes.

Slow Cooked Pork

A standard at Hawaiian barbeques, pork is a perfect entrée for a tropical beach party. Traditionally cooked in a pit, slow cooked pork can be made at home with the use of a slow cooker. Prepare this meal about one day ahead of time, as the slow cooker on low heat can take up to 20 hours to prepare the roast.

What You'll Need:

• One pork roast
• One tablespoon of pepper
• One tablespoon of Hawaiian sea salt
• One tablespoon of liquid smoke seasoning

Instructions:

1. Cut small holes into the pork roast to allow the marinade to soak in.
2. Rub the roast with salt, pepper and smoke seasoning.
3. Set the roast into the slow cooker, cover and cook for approximately 18 hours on low heat.
4. Remove the roast from the slow cooker once it is done, and shred the pork.
5. Serve on its own, or on bread for pulled pork sandwiches.

Complete your summer beach party with the perfect selection of tropical themed food. Start with a classic ahi appetizer, serve a refreshing papaya salad and keep guests full with delicious pork, chicken or ribs cooked with a tropical twist.