Barbecue food

2 things that we always do for a BBQ -

Chicken kebabs

Cut up chicken breasts into bite size pieces, marinate in Ainsley Harriotts bbq marinades (we used these last summer)

thread pieces of chicken breast onto kebab skewer and alternate with yellow pepper, chicken, red pepper, chicken, yellow pepper etc. When they are all done it looks lovely and summery on the plate and doesnt take long to cook.

Tomato and mozarella salad

Slice beef tomatoes and layer on large serving platter, alternate wtih slices of mozarella cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and scatter torn pieces of basil all over.

Both dishes look like you've made an effort yet are dead easy.

OOOohhhhhhhh YEY!!!! I love BBQs!!! :j

Biggest tip is get everything else ready before you put the meat on so that you just have to bring it to the table.

If you're using wooden skewers then soak them in water for at least 20 minutes first to stop them burning

Make up potato salad and keep in the fridge until you're ready to eat. Boil baby new potatoes, run under cold water to loosen the skins, then peel and chop. Add mayo and chopped spring onions and put in fridge so that the onioney taste sinks in. YUM!

Cook Corn on the cob in the microwave, add butter and salt and keep in a lidded dish until the BBQ's ready. Push wooden skewer right through the centre and cut off the spike with scissors. (BBQ Corn is really dry IMO)

Marinade chicken in olive oil and garlic, BBQ and serve on ciabatta (warmed in the oven) with mayo, smoked cheese and sliced tomatoes.

For kids, make kebabs with chicken, pineapple and cherry tomatoes.

I'M STARVIN NOW!

Jay-Jay wrote:

Make up potato salad and keep in the fridge until you're ready to eat. Boil baby new potatoes, run under cold water to loosen the skins, then peel and chop. Add mayo and chopped spring onions and put in fridge so that the onioney taste sinks in. YUM!

We do this but we dont peel the potatoes. While the cooked potatoes are still warm I add the mayo, spring onion and also add dried mixed herbs, I could eat a whole bowl full while still warm!

I don't peel the potatoes either and sometimes add some chopped boiled egg with the mayo and spring onions, plus a pinch of cayenne pepper ... YUM YUM!!!

Jay-Jay wrote:

Make up potato salad and keep in the fridge until you're ready to eat. Boil baby new potatoes, run under cold water to loosen the skins, then peel and chop. Add mayo and chopped spring onions and put in fridge so that the onioney taste sinks in. YUM!

I add a tin of / some defrosted sweetcorn to the potatoes/ spring onions /mayo. Mmmmmmmmm

BBQ recipes

yoghurty pork - mix greek yoghurt (plain is OK) with garlic, lemon juice & plenty of black pepper. Use as a marinade for pork steaks or pork loin.

Carribean kebabs - make marinade of orange juice, brown sugar/honey & rum. Soak pork chunks in mixture & thread onto kebab sticks with chunks of pineapple & red onion. Would probably be just as nice with chicken but never tried it.

Sticky chicken legs - mix together tomato ketchup, honey & worcester sauce & use as marinade for chicken legs.

For big BBQ gatherings we buy a whole leg of lamb, butterfly it, stud with garlic & rosemary before cooking. Sounds pricey, but you can feed loads of people with it. Similarly we cook a whole salmon wrapped in newspaper (a la Jamie Oliver) & it goes a long way.