Don’t let the fact that it’s getting colder result in your barbecue gather dust. When the weather is fine, bundle up and head on out to cook up some delicious food that will warm you up.
Having tasty sides is a must, but let’s face it, the highlight of a barbecue is the meat. Here are some ways you can make the most of it:
Preparation is key
When you’re at the supermarket, go for good quality ingredients. Organic beef is known for being healthy and tasty, and will make for a better end product.
Make sure your barbecue is clean before you start. Give it time to heat up before you begin cooking your meat. Prior to coating your meat with sauce or marinade, use a tenderising hammer to ensure it will melt in your mouth. It is better to put oil on your meat as opposed to your barbecue to prevent it from burning.
Use long-handled tongs to turn your meat so it is cooked on all sides, but don’t move it too often to ensure it remains juicy. When it is done, put it in a dish covered with foil until you are ready to eat – this will help keep the meat moist and succulent.
It’s all in the sauce
Sometimes, finding the right sauce might be all you need to transform your meat into a meal your friends and family can’t get enough of.
You can purchase some great ready made barbecue sauces from your local supermarket, or make your own. A popular recipe combines garlic and onions with tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, peppers, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and salt in a saucepan at a medium heat. You simply have to stir it all together and add more spice or sugar as you see fit.
A marinade only takes a couple of minutes to throw together and will lift your dish to the next level. Go for a classic, or make a few and mix it up. One great flavour combination is olive oil with minced garlic, fresh mint, salt and pepper and served with lemon wedges. Another is pureed cumin, coriander, cayenne, ginger, garlic, mint, olive oil and yoghurt. For an Asian inspired marinade, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, Chinese five-spice powder and honey.
