Good Times in the Hood-Block Parties

Written by Tom Xavier

I’m all about bringing back traditions of yore. And right now, I have my sights set on a summer block party. Sure, the block party might not be as old as the country dance, or even qualify as an event from “the days of yore,” but I’m betting many of you have forgotten just how fun one can be.

Think about it—neighborhood get-togethers have gone by the wayside as families got busier and busier. But block parties shouldn’t be things of the past; they shouldn’t be quarantined to the decades before the Internet.

As summer approaches, now is the time to resurrect this tradition.

Now, it’s not as easy as “one, two, three.” There are things to coordinate and things to plan for, but with the help of a few neighbors, you’ll be able to put together a truly timeless block party. And if you don’t know any of your neighbors, this is the perfect excuse to knock on their door.

We all know how good Bakersfieldians are at coming together, so put someone in charge of the menu and RSVPs; ask someone to plan the activities; ask someone else to arrange permits; and select someone else to schedule entertainment and logistics, like renting tables and chairs. You’ll also need a chairperson—the person who makes the final decisions—who can raise extra dollars (to pay for that entertainment).

To start simple, begin with invitations. Be creative with your theme and when you send out invitations, let your neighbors know what to bring and expect. A picnic theme invitation always works well. Or, choose a patriotic theme with the American flag and barbecue artwork. Add some barbecue confetti for a bit of fun!

Decorations for the block party should be festive and exciting, that’s a given. But they can also be simply put together with things you have around the house. For centerpieces, use jam jars filled with cut flowers from your garden. Or, a neighbor who has a green thumb can provide the flora; maybe go for a bouquet of helium-filled balloons at each table. Add a few citronella candles to the table to keep those pesky insects away. You don’t need much more than that as most of the table is taken up with the food! That’s right, I am going against my general rule. This time, it is completely acceptable to use paper and plastic products. Use picnic gingham paper goods or watermelon paper goods to decorate your tables. Choose from table covers, plates, cups, napkins, and more to weave through your theme. Don’t forget forks, knives, and spoons in matching colors. A few clear table cover clips will be a big help in keeping your table covers from flying away.

The menu is where your block party will really shine. It gives your neighbors the opportunity to show off their culinary talents. And because this is Bakersfield, traditional block party goods should be ignored for a more refined menu. Who wants another meal of baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, and apple pie? Someone like myself will instantly stray away from the ordinary food fare and so should you. For instance, instead of a bowl of cut-up fruit, how about grilled fruit on skewers—not only is it a bit more chic but the food is easier to maneuver.

And each and every one of these easy-to-prepare (and refined) recipes is guaranteed to be a hit with your block party guests.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

• 6 fresh jalapeño peppers, cut in half lengthwise and seeded
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 12 slices bacon

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Fill the halved jalapeño with cream cheese. Wrap the jalapeño with bacon.

Secure the bacon and jalapeño with a toothpick.

Place it on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy. Serve.

Grilled Smoked Sausage

• 1 cup apricot or pineapple preserves
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 1/2 lbs. smoked sausage
• 6 French rolls

Heat preserves in small saucepan until melted. Strain and reserve fruit pieces. Combine strained preserve liquid with lemon juice in a small bowl.

Oil hot grill to help prevent sticking.

Place whole sausages on an uncovered grill, over low heat for 10 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste with your fruit glaze, then turn and continue grilling until heated through.

Remove sausage from grill and baste again with glaze. Place each sausage in a French roll and garnish with fruit pieces.

Parmesan Pasta Salad

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 3 oz. thinly-sliced salami
• 3/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 2 cups grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
• 6 cups penne pasta
• 3/4 cup roasted sweet red peppers, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped

In large bowl, whisk together Parmesan cheese, oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper; set aside.

Cut salami into thin strips. Chop olives. If you’re using grape tomatoes, cut them into halves. If using cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until tender but firm, usually about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Rinse pasta under cold water, drain well, and add to dressing along with reserved pasta water.

Add salami, olives, tomatoes, and red peppers; toss to combine. After it has been refrigerated, add basil and toss again before serving.

Picnic Brownies

• 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• Optional:
• 1 cup chocolate chips, marshmallows, or chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking pan (13 x 9 x 2) with foil so you have an overhang at each end (this makes taking the brownies out much easier to remove), then grease.

Melt chocolate and butter in large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and mix in sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients and spread evenly in pan using a spatula.

Bake 30 minutes or until brownies begin to pull apart from sides of pan.

Cool slightly and cut into squares. If desired, dust with powdered sugar or frost with chocolate frosting.

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

• 1 box of any flavor cake mix (and required ingredients)
• 1 container of any flavor frosting
• 1 cup of sprinkles or choice toppings
• 2 boxes of flat bottom ice cream cones

Mix the cake batter per box instructions.

Pour the cake mix into the cones filling them halfway. Place the ice cream cones upright evenly on a cookie sheet and place in the oven at 400 degrees.

Bake the cupcakes for 15 minutes or until golden brown, then remove from the oven and let cool.

Once the cupcakes are cool, spread on the frosting and sprinkles as desired.

Easy BBQ Chicken

• 1 can (26 oz.) Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 8 bone-in chicken breast halves (about 4 lbs.)

Stir together soup, honey, mustard, and onion powder in a 1-quart saucepan.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the chicken for 20 minutes, turning the chicken over once during cooking. Brush the chicken with the soup mixture and grill for another 15 minutes or until cooked through, turning and brushing often with the soup mixture.

Heat the remaining soup mixture to a boil and serve with the chicken.

Fresh Lemonade

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 5 to 6 lemons)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup superfine sugar, to taste
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 4 cups water

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Place in a large pitcher or jar.

For fun, you could even set up an old-fashioned lemonade stand to serve.

With the menu in place, there is one logistical item to remember: large buckets filled with ice! It’s the best way to keep beverages cold all afternoon and keep food from spoiling.

Next, move on to activities for your block party! How about karaoke? Some people say it’s not “in” anymore, but take it from me, it’s always fun. Let the kids get up with some fake microphones and sing their guts out. Let the adults get up and do their own rendition of Bruce Springsteen with an inflatable guitar and make fools of themselves. It’s all in good fun. And all you need is a boom box!

Pie-eating contests are always a riot. To keep it simple, prepare (or buy) a half-dozen cream pies. Have the pies lined up on a table; each contestant must eat the pie with their hands behind their back and the person who can finish it the quickest wins a prize...maybe a gift certificate for a pie from a local bakery!

What else to do? There are things that are free: set up a face-painting area, a tie-dye area (have everyone bring an old, white shirt), a cookie-decorating area, and a craft spot.

And don’t forget...

Name tags. They may seem geeky, but it’s a lot easier than trying to remember everyone’s names or having to constantly introduce yourself.

A bullhorn. Much easier than shouting during organized events.

Separate storage for meats and other foods to prevent contamination.

A few folks to volunteer for clean-up!

Most of all, enjoy a warm summer evening with all of your neighbors. Form new friendships and renew old ones. Take pleasure in what a close-knit neighborhood has to offer by hosting a summer block party.

Article appeared in our 27-2 Issue - June 2010