In the summer months so many of us host barbecues as a way to have fun, spend time outside with loved ones, and eat some delicious food. However, many of us question whether we are grilling correctly and if there are things we could do to improve. There are many different steps you can take to ensure you have a perfect BBQ but you may be surprised to hear that not all of them involve the food you are cooking, here are some secret chef tips to help you have the best possible BBQ.
Marinade
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to barbequing would have to be marinating your meats and any other food you plan on cooking on the grill. Because the BBQ exposes your meat to such high temperatures you should always have a marinade on hand to not only protect the food from cooking too quickly but also infuse extra flavor. Marinades should be added to your produce prior to cooking it to give it time to infuse with your meat or vegetables, and any leftover should be added to your food whilst it is cooking. This also ensures your food doesn’t get too dry or tough as the BBQ is so hot moisture evaporates far more quickly than normal methods, if you are not already using marination in your BBQ cooking then I would definitely urge you to do so from now on to give your food a significant boost in flavor and quality.
Choose a Variety of Produce
Another issue that many faces when choosing to cook on the BBQ is the choice of what they feel can actually be cooked, what many don’t know is that pretty much anything can be cooked on a BBQ if you have the right tools. With many people limiting themselves to the same foods, barbecues do have a tendency to become rather monotonous in terms of what is being served. This does not have to be the case at all, why not try broadening the food you are buying and try new things like different kinds of seafood, grilled vegetables, or using new and interesting seasonings and flavorings to add a new taste to your meat. Barbequing is no reason to just serve the classic burgers or sausages and you should be encouraging your loved ones to eat new and exciting meals.
Have Fun With It
Although the food you serve is fundamental to your BBQ is also very important to remember to have fun, your BBQ should be an enjoyable social event, and stressing about food is something that should be avoided. Why not try sprucing up your garden with some novelty decorations or even treat yourself to some funny bbq aprons to let people know you’re the head chef. Having a BBQ is an opportunity to spend time with your friends and family and cooking high quality, the luxury meal should not be prioritized over having a good time.
Don’t Forget the Drinks
With so much focus being placed on the food you serve, many people often overlook the drinks, a nice cocktail or a bottle of wine can make a delicious pairing with your grilled food. The flavors of your marinated meats are so powerful that something fresh and fruity would be a great accompaniment to keep you refreshed. Cocktails like sex on the beach or even a mohito which both contain fruit juices are great for summer and the choice of a drink that you can be sure many would enjoy.
Overall, there are multiple fundamental points to remember if you want your BBQ to be perfect, from drinks to your food choices there are many things you can do to impress your guests in terms of what you are serving. Although all of this is important you must also remember the reason you hosted such an event, to have fun. It is vital you make the most of spending time with your loved ones and if you are lucky enough to have great weather you should be making the most of this too as we all know how quickly those summer months fly by.