Saturday 6 July 2019

Shake things up this summer on the BBQ



It's been such a joy to see the sun recently. With the nights still light until late it's a great excuse to have a BBQ in the garden. There's no reason to be boring with your food and flavours as today's guest post gives us a whopping 12 different recipes to make this year's BBQs your best ever. Enjoy!

"Summer is definitely here, which can only mean one thing – time to get out the BBQ!

If you – and your guests – are tired of the same old BBQ food (sausages, burgers!) though, then take a look at the recipes below - put together by Flogas Gaslight, a BBQ and patio gas bottle supplier – and do things a bit differently this summer:

Haloumi gyros and tzatziki
For another vegetarian delight, this popular cheese of Greek descendent is amazing on the BBQ!

Gyros

· 200g haloumi cheese
· 2 pieces pitta bread
· 1 tomato
· 2 cups rocket
· 1 baby brown onion

Tzatziki
· 1 cup Greek yoghurt
· 1 teaspoon minced garlic
· Lemon juice
· Lemon zest
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· Pinch of salt/ black pepper
· 1 cucumber, seedless, peeled and shredded.

Recipe
Prepare the tzatziki by mixing together all the ingredients in a bowl. Season to your taste preferences. Cut the tomato in half and slice finely, doing the same with the onion, then place both to one side. Cut the haloumi into centimetre thick slices, placing onto the BBQ at a medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes each side or until browned, then place the pittas onto the grate to warm gently for 30 seconds each side. Assemble the gyros with the haloumi and the tzatziki, adding the onion and tomato to garnish.

BBQ turkey burgers
Turkey isn’t just a dish for Christmas, as shown here!

· 1/4 cup mayonnaise
· 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil (divided)
· 1/4 cup milk
· 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
· 1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs
· 1/8 teaspoon salt
· 1/8 teaspoon pepper
· 12 ounces ground turkey
· 4 hamburger buns, split
· 4 lettuce leaves
· 1 large tomato, sliced

Recipe
Combine mayonnaise and a tablespoon of basil in a mixing bowl. Cover and place into a fridge until serving. Apply non-stick cooking spray to your grate and preheat the grill. In another bowl, mix milk, onion, salt, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and the rest of the basil. Add the turkey and mix well, then mould the mixture into patties, placing onto the grill over an indirect medium heat. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, serving when the meat is no longer pink. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato and basil mayo.

Sesame steaks
· 1/2 cup soy sauce
· 2 tablespoons brown sugar
· 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
· 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
· 2 teaspoons onion powder
· 2 teaspoons lemon juice
· 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
· 4 T-bone steaks (about 1-inch thick)

Recipe
Start by adding the first seven ingredients into a resealable plastic bag and ensure they are well mixed. Place the steaks into the bag and coat with the mixture, seal and allow to marinade for 4 hours. Drain and discard the left-over marinade. On a preheated grate, cook the steaks on a medium heat for 5-7 minutes each side, or longer depending on preference.

Oriental grilled baby back ribs
This is a lovely Asian fusion recipe with a huge flavour hit!

· 4 racks of baby back ribs
· 6 cloves of garlic
· 1 piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped coarsely
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· 1 tablespoon sea salt
· 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
· 2 tablespoons honey
· 1 tablespoon soy sauce
· 1 tablespoon fish sauce

For the sauce:

· 4 teaspoons sea salt
· 2 teaspoons white pepper
· 4 limes halved

Recipe
Start by prepping the ribs and removing the pepper membrane where necessary. If you are using a large rack of ribs, cut in half and place flat in a Pyrex baking dish. Use a pestle and mortar, or food processor, to ground down the garlic, ginger, sugar, salt and black pepper. Slowly add the honey, soy, and fish sauce to the mixture, then spread on both sides of the ribs. Cover and place in the fridge, allowing them to marinate for 1-4 hours.

To prepare the dipping sauce, mix four teaspoons of salt with four teaspoons of white pepper and the juice of the limes. Ensure the grill gate is clean and heat up the BBQ Then, place the ribs bone side down for 8-12 minutes per side — cook until golden brown (this may require a little longer if you are using large ribs). When cooked through, the meat will have shrunk back from the ends of the bones by around ¼ inch.

Superfood shrimp skewers
For those health conscious, these skewers are ideal with a fresh side salad.

· 1 ½ lbs of jumbo shrimps (with heads removed)
· 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 1 large whole lime
· 3 teaspoons sea salt
· 3 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper
· Metal skewers

Recipe

Begin by rinsing the shrimp under cold running water before draining and gently patting dry. Place the shrimp into a Pyrex dish and sprinkle with lime juice, adding a teaspoon each of salt and white pepper, mixing to coat. Marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix sea salt and white pepper with the juiced lime. Heat the BBQ and brush the grate with oil. Place the shrimp onto the grate and grill, turning until the meat is pink. This should take about 2 minutes on each side. Use tongs to remove from the grill and place onto the skewers. Drizzle the sauce over and enjoy! 

Lemon and lime chicken breast
For a true taste of summer, this dish is a must. Get a hit of citrus with a delicious barbequed chicken breast. Why not cook up a batch of sweet potato fries to enjoy this one with — the perfect al-fresco dinner!

· 6 boneless chicken breasts
· ½ cup brown sugar
· ¼ cup cider vinegar
· 3 tablespoons each lemon juice and lime juice
· 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
· 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1/4 teaspoon pepper
· 1/2 teaspoon salt

Recipe
Grab a resealable bag and place the chicken into it along with all the ingredients. Allow the mixture to marinade overnight. Drain the remaining sauce (or keep it and use as a salad dressing!). On a preheated BBQ, grill the chicken at a medium – hot heat for 15-18 minutes, turning once and ensuring that the juices run clear before serving. 

Portobello mushroom burgers
This is a delightful dish suitable for vegetarians and a great alternative to the usual beef burger.

· ¼ cup of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of olive oil divided
· 6 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar divided
· 4 sliced red onions (cut ¼ inch thick)
· 1 tablespoon minced garlic
· ½ teaspoon dried basil
· 4 Portobello mushroom caps
· 1 tablespoon honey
· 4 brioche buns
· 4 lettuce leaves
· 3 salad tomatoes
· 4 ounces fresh vegetarian-friendly mozzarella cheese cut into rough slices

Recipe

Take a cup of oil, two tablespoons of vinegar and red onion slices in a plastic bag and seal shut. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, basil and remaining oil, and brush the mixture over the mushrooms. Set these aside and add the remaining vinegar and honey into a small saucepan, allowing it to cook until thickened.

While this is happening, drain the marinade from the onions and coat a grill rack with a non-stick cooking spray, meanwhile heating up the BBQ. Grill the mushrooms and onions for 10-12 minutes or until tender, turning frequently. Serve in brioche buns with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella, drizzling the left-over honey and balsamic sauce. 

Citrus salmon and zesty salsa
Salmon
· 1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
· 1/4 cup soy sauce
· 2 tablespoons ground fresh coriander
· 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
· 1/8 teaspoon pepper
· 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)

Salsa
3/4 cup pink grapefruit segments, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup orange segments, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground fresh coriander
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Recipe
Mix together the first seven ingredients in a resealable plastic bag and keep refrigerated for three hours. In a small bowl, combine all of the salsa ingredients and mix well, then cover and keep cool until serving. Drain the marinade and coat your BBQ grate with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat and place the salmon skin side down on to the grill, cooking while covered at a medium heat for 15-20 minutes until a flaky texture is achieved. Drizzle the salsa over and enjoy.

Chicken satay skewers
The dream for peanut butter lovers. Transform the humble chicken skewer with this one.

Chicken 
· 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
· 1/2 cup milk
· 6 garlic cloves, minced
· 1 tablespoon brown sugar
· 1 tablespoon each ground coriander, ground turmeric and ground cumin
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon white pepper
· 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Satay

· 1/3 cup peanut butter
· 1/3 cup milk
· 2 green onions, chopped
· 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
· 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice
· 2 tablespoons soy sauce
· 1 garlic clove, minced
· 1 teaspoon sugar
· 1 teaspoon fresh coriander
· 1 teaspoon minced ginger
· 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Recipe

To prepare, flatten the chicken to a ¼ inch thickness and cut into one-inch wide strips. Use a plastic bag to combine the milk, garlic, brown sugar, seasonings and extract. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and refrigerate overnight. Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until smooth, cover and refrigerate until serving. Take the chicken mixture out and drain the marinade, then place the strips onto the skewers. Grill on a medium-hot heat, uncovered for 2-3 minutes on both sides or until the juices are clear. Serve with the satay sauce. 

Barbecued banana split
Just because you’re having a BBQ, you don’t have to avoid sweet dishes.

· 4 bananas
· 20 giant milk chocolate buttons
· 8 pieces salted caramel fudge
· Vanilla ice cream, to serve
· Whipping cream, to serve
· 4 glacé cherries, to serve
· 2 tablespoon chopped mixed nuts, toasted

Recipe

With the skin remaining intact, slit the bananas from top to bottom. Place chocolate buttons and fudge in the gap, then wrap the bananas in foil. Ensure that the cut stays facing upwards, and place onto a preheated grate. Cook for 20-25 minutes, allowing the chocolate and fudge to melt. Allow to cool then remove from the foil, topping with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, cherry and toasted nuts. 

Barbecued figs with honey and cinnamon
For another sweet treat which is healthy, try this dish — it's only 112 calories per serving!

· 8 ripe figs, stems removed
· 3 tbsp clear honey
· 15g (½oz) salted butter, diced
· Ground cinnamon, to sprinkle
· Pistachio nuts, roughly chopped, to serve
· Ice cream or cream, to serve (optional) 

Recipe

Using a knife, make a deep cross in each fig. Make sure you stop just before the base. Squeeze the base to make the figs open up (similar to a flower-shape). Place into a heatproof dish or foil tray and drizzle with honey. Add drops of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Place the dish or tray, away from direct heat, onto the barbecue and close the lid. Allow to cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened. After cooling, scatter the nuts and serve.

Marshmallow & strawberry kebabs
This is a really simple dessert option that is served well with caramel sauce.

· 20 marshmallows
· 16 strawberries
· 1 tin of Nestlé Carnation Caramel
· Toasted hazelnuts or crumbled digestive biscuits to serve 

Recipe

Thread your four skewers with four chopped strawberries and four marshmallows. Hold over the barbecue for 30 seconds on each side, or until the marshmallows are toasted. Stir the caramel in a bowl and add a pinch of salt, then drizzle over lightly adding the nuts of biscuit as a delicious extra.

https://www.rd.com/food/recipes-cooking/31-delicious-recipes-for-the-grill/
https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/barbecued-banana-split.html
https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/barbecue-baked-figs-with-honey-and-cinnamon.html
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipe/marshmallow-strawberry-kebabs

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