Clodagh's Tips For A BBQ
BBQ checklist:
DAY BEFORE YOR BBQ PARTY
Write out your shopping list for the food and drinks
Check your stock of napkins, glasses, plates, skewers and fuel for the BBQ.
Designate one person for looking after the BBQ. People love to be asked!
Shop for all the ingredients
Marinade fish/meat; assemble foods on skewers
Make dips
MORNING OF the BBQ
9AM: Assemble Salads
10AM: Decorate Garden and set Table (see tips below)
11AM: Get the BBQ lighting about two hours before guests arrive and assemble everything for the BBQ on a table beside the bbq (see tips below)
11.30AM: Mix up the Cocktail Punch – I think Sangria works great.
MIDDAY:
Place all the dips, salads, bread etc on the table and cover.
1PM: Take a good 30 minutes to get yourself ready and to relax. A relaxed host means a relaxed party!
2PM: Guests arrive. OK time to get the food on the BBQ!
Tips For the BBQ
If you have any rosemary or thyme growing in the garden or from your shopping, cut off some sprigs and throw them on the barbecue, as they burn they release fantastic flavours into the food.
If you have big chunks of meat it would be a good idea to cook them in an oven covered in foil and about 5 minutes before they are done sling them on the barbecue to brown and flavour.
Only start cooking on the barbecue when the fire and smoke has died down and you have very hot red embers.
Have long tongs (so you don’t burn yourself) and a brush (to clean the grill).
Have a little table beside the barbecue for all your oils, seasonings and marinades, you’ll look like a professional!
Use a grill brush to scrape residue from the grill grate
Every once and awhile wipe the grill wires with an oiled paper towel. This will keep your food from sticking
Decorate your garden/patio...
Jam and Kilner jars look so pretty with tea lights inside. Place them around the patio or garden, it’s an inexpensive way of creating a great atmosphere.
Buy a roll of bright coloured ribbon and cut 6 inch strips of material. Roll up your napkins and using the ribbon strips tie a bow around each one.
With any leftover rosemary or thyme, snip off some sprigs and place in colourful glasses. Line them along the center of the table, they will not only look beautiful but they will also smell wonderful!
Hang lanterns off trees.
Bunting is a gorgeous way to decorate the garden and is now widely available.
Make you own lemon candles by cutting out the tops of lemons and inserting a nite light inside. This not only smells gorgeous but they look beautiful dispersed around the table.
