'Let's have a BBQ ' said no woman ever!

[Lifewithasixyearold]

No it isnt easier, no it's not less work and no DH you don't actually do anything like all of it!
Fuck me, it's 160 degrees out there, my rage is hotter than the damn BBQ which wasn't lit in time of course and naturally I have started things in the oven because when the BBQ does get going it will incinerate the outside of everything and leave a lovely warm core of pure food poisoning within...
AIBU surely we could get them banned, smoke, emissions or something??

I love them, but I love being outside.

I like the idea of BBQs but you're right - there always seems to be more mess than just regular cooking.

Mind you, I do find DP putting too much lighter fluid on and burning his eyebrows off every year funny.

Some pished posters out there.

I especially hate how you have to clean the whole house for all your friends / neighbours ri come over and then clean the now messed up version of the whole house again the next day. That's not how anybody wants to spend a sunny Sunday morning.

It's the bloody mess they create that drives me mad. Thousands of plates and dishes get used for our BBQs for some reason which doesn't happen when I cook indoors!

Agree with you OP, bbq food is disgusting and I hate eating outside with the flies etc. and sitting on back braking garden chairs. Horrible smell and unhygienic, too. So glad my DH isn't into them at all -- I'd find it so unattractive.

DH and his father have this big thing about keeping the BBQ chef company while they cook. It kind of drives me mad because I manage to cook every other meal without someone keeping me company. Then I feel mean-spirited because DH really did enjoy doing them. He's off them at the moment.

What cutlery and crockery to set up and clear away?
Surely you use these anyway for meals? It's very simple. Take some plates and cutlery from kitchen. Put on table in garden. Person cooking has something to put food on, when cooked - chicken ready. People take plate and help themselves.
More people than just your household the disposable.

Patronising much?
I get that some people are utterly marvellous, with equally splendid DH who manages to arrange such events in a minimalist fashion, akin to the prep required for a marmite sandwich, but that has never been my experience.
I do like eating outside, I like BBQ food (although I don't eat meat or dairy so a coprn on the cob does me nicely) but a bbq inevitably involves several side dishes (salads, breads, rice), several dressings and sauces, different drinks that require more prep and mixing than the usual G&T or wine.
and I find that a PITA
good for you that you're so much better at choosing food requiring minimal work to provide the elegant simplicity and guest pleasing qualities of a Nigella Lawson event

I don't think you'd get the same smokey taste with a gas BBQ... I may have gone off on a tangent

You need to make sure it's not just a gas BBQ but that it's got lava rocks too,then it's exactly the same as the heats heats up the rocks so you get the smoky taste. You really have to do your research with gas ones. Get a good one and they're brilliant.

Can't beat a good BBQ. I'm married to a South African so BBQ is life

Clean up is a pain but then don't let DP get away with not helping.

Ribena- we have recently discovered chakalaka- thank you!

Chakalaka is so gooooood!

Just googled Chakalaka, it looks amazing! Is it complicated to make?

ouch, no, but the easiest option is to go to a Saffa food shop and get a tin of it ready made

I love BBQs.

Oh is fantastic - he does everything, preps, salads, taboulah, cooks, clears away, does all the washing up.

I have a big American style fridge freezer with plumbed in ice machine. Endless supply of ice.

My Dad was a bbq enthusiast in the 70/80s after working in South Africa and learning how to braii. He would spark up in our London garden & the neighbours would come over to marvel at his exotic cuisine . Our Grandma could not understand why anyone would want to cook over an open fire in the garden when there was a perfectly good fitted kitchen indoors (fair point). Dad ignored her and bbq-ed through rain & shine. Cooked the sprouts on the barbie one xmas in coat & hat.

Sounds like your DH needs a BBQ lesson, that's all. You don't need to fake it and pre-cook food for incineration by him afterwards.

God I love BBQs! Me and DP do really good ones. We use paper plates and plastic forks. Love the smell of the coals! YABU!

Thanks all, I have had quite a good giggle at this thread.

I am in South Africa, a braai not a bbq is quite the norm here, at least once a week for most households. ( a bbq is the line the guys stand in waiting for a haircut )

Its not just about the meat, which should be meat really, as burgers and sausages don't really do a braai justice... its about the whole vibe and atmosphere that goes along with it.

And nobody cleans the grill. Just burn off the last weeks leftovers and rub over with an onion.. none of us have died of food poisoning. I mean its like a feast for the dogs when the grill comes off finally then its time to chuck the extra wood on while the party gets in full swing yes wood, not these charcoal bricks

And yes chakalaka is good. You need to make some pap mielie meal to go with it though. You'll get that at the saffa shop for sure. And there is nothing better than smelling your neighbours meat grilling away grilling, not cremating.

I admit to using proper plates though.... paper plates don't hold the chakalaka all that well

Totally agree with OP. My heart sinks when DH suggests one. Hate the way all the sausages, burgers etc all finish cooking at different times, and either have to be kept warm or eaten straight away, then the next bit is ten minutes later....

Not good braai management happening there Clawdy

Your dh needs to get together with Ribena's dh.

Its all about timing.... isn't it always... hehe

"Just googled Chakalaka, it looks amazing! Is it complicated to make?"

No- it's easy, and soooo good.

I have to confess the first time I made it it was only because the name made me giggle as in " I'm bringing my chakalaka to your barbecue" [very juvenile emoticon]. But I make it all the time now. I'll find the recipe I use.

here

I've made it with and without the beans, depending on what it's to go with. And it's good without chillis too if you're cooking for wimps.

Another thing. Barbecued peaches are amazing.

This Is why we have a smoker and do whole chickens/joints of beef or pork/huge steaks.

Very rarely do we do the sausages and burgers thing now, it's proper food cooked outside most days.

Yes its good without beans. I don't usually put beans in mine. I am sure the tinned ones come in a bean and no bean version.

But you need to try 3 bean salad too.... farty, but good.