All-American Backyard Entertaining Menu

This timeline shows you how far in advance food preparation for the menu can take place. Following these tips allows maximum time with your guests and minimum fuss.

• Prepare dry ingredients for step 1 of the cobbler. Store in an airtight container and freeze.

• Toast and chop nuts for cheese ball, place in a zip-top bag and freeze.
• Prepare dressing for vinaigrette slaw; cover and refrigerate.

• Prepare chicken marinade; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare dressing (step 2) for potato salad; cover and refrigerate.

• Hard-cook eggs for potato salad and refrigerate.
• Slice celery. Chop onions and pickles for potato salad and place each in a zip-top bag.

• Marinate chicken in refrigerator, drain after four hours. Make sauce from reserved marinade; cover and refrigerate. Keep chicken refrigerated.
• Thaw nuts for cheese ball.
• Prepare cheese ball through step 1; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare potato salad; cover and refrigerate.
• Prepare vinaigrette slaw; cover and refrigerate.
• Shuck corn; cover and refrigerate.

• Prepare cobbler, bake and cool to serve.

• Grill chicken.

• Reheat remaining barbecue sauce.
• Roll cheese ball in nuts and arrange with crackers.
• Cook corn on the cob.