10 top tips for barbequing
With summer in full swing it’s once again time to embrace outdoor dining at its finest – that’s right, fire up the barbie because on a hot summer’s day with good company there’s nothing better than a good ol’ grilled feast. To make sure your food is cooked to perfection (and so you can claim the title of best BBQ chef) just follow these top 10 tips.
1. Light it up – Preheat your BBQ before your guests arrive so when you go to start cooking the grill will be hot. Not only will this ensure bacteria is killed but high heat sears food leaving the insides moist and prevents sticking.
2. Don’t chill – Take the food out of the fridge and let it get back to room temperature before grilling. If it’s too cold in the centre, the outside may burn to a cinder before it’s cooked right through.
3. Prioritise – Foods don’t all cook at the same pace and if you want everything to be eaten together don’t just throw everything on the barbie. Put foods like dense vegetables that are slower to cook first before fast to cook foods like prawns and skewers.
4. Keep it low – Don’t be afraid to turn down the heat. Sausages, especially those juicy fat ones, will cook better over a low heat.
5. Hands off – It’s tempting to keep checking for doneness every few minutes but resist repeatedly poking, stabbing and flipping your food. Give your meat time for a crust to develop and turn only when grill marks appear.
6. Stay with it – Don’t leave your BBQ unattended. Not only for safety concerns but it also gives you a chance to keep an eye on how the food is going.
7. Rest up – Don’t skip this essential step. Resting meats after grilling lets the meat sinews relax and reabsorb the juices after the intensity of the heat.
8. Think of the veggies – BBQs aren’t just about meat they’re also great for veggies – that is if you don’t char them to a crisp! Slice thinly, around a centimetre thick, will ensure veggies are crisp on the outside but tender inside.
9. Be safe – Too many of us just pick up where we left off with our BBQs. Take the time to check gas fittings and everything is in working order before sparking up.
10. Keep it clean – Just like any other kitchen pot and pan, clean it after you use it! You’ll thank yourself next time you need to use it.