HELP - instant bbq ideas please

[BitLessTiredNow]

I have completely taken leave of my senses and invited 40 for a surprise bday bbq for DH on Sun - I can get him out of the house for 2 hours - what can I prepare that is quick quick quick???

chicken with a teriyaki marinade - buy a bottle of the teriyaki sauce - pour it over the chicken and leave it for a bit. Par cook before barbecueing in my experience as chicken takes FOREVER on the bbq. We do it in the microwave.

Sausages, burgers, mini-steaks.

Thast enough meat - then just coleslaw, buns, and maybe a Greek salad, plus a few prepared ones?

Does that sound enough?

thanks for this - how long do you par cook it for? (am always a bit nervous about chicken)

does the marinade work on drumsticks?

If you want to be a bit flash, you could buy some poussin, spatchcock them and secure with skewers and then apply marinade. That would look quite impressive.

We do potato wedges on the BBQ too. Cut them into quarters length ways skin on, par boil for 10 mins. Remove from water and cool. Toss in a mixture of olive oil and cajun soice. Grill on BBQ for 15 mins. Serve with sourcream / garlic mayo.

Can't beat a good burger though eh?

To spatchcock you cut the spine out with some strong scissors, then flatten. Push the skewers through in a digonal cross to stop it from flapping around. Def cook in oven for 20mins first.

Oh yes on anything, I normally buy a combo of drumsticks and thighs, pour it on, leave it for an hour then I par cook for about 10 mins on high in the microwave. Then cook on bbq but check its done when everything else ready (sorry cant help with bbq timings, DH is an Aussie and I cant get near the thing).

I also tend ot do a big potato salad for the carb-aholics, but for gods sake dont do too much, get some of the guests to do some!!

Let me know if you want any more suggestions - we have barbecues all the time, even on Boxing Day in the cold British weather because of DH's obsession.........

cajun SPICE

You could do some prawn skewers with a lemon n chilli dressing (they sell em ready made in Sainsbo's.

A good thing for veggies - field mushrooms, brush with oil. Put pesto over the gills and a few chunks of goats cheese. Bung on BBQ.

oooh, am LOVING these ideas - more please!

Is it a charcoal or gas BBQ?

Do you like fish?

I could go on all night, I used to do a BBQ every friday night at our local.

Jerk seasoning is always good, you could do that on any chicken part. Whole legs are quite cheap, and large, and easy to cook.

Don't go overboard on salads, you'll be left with it the next day. IME a simple green or simple mixed salad is best. That means you don't have to cut up a load of separate veg for burgers, they can just bung the salad in.

I sometimes do kebabs for veggies with halloumi, yellow pepper and cherry tomatoes.

Or surf n turf - steak and prawns - yummmmmmmm

Chicken takes too long ime (if you want quick and simple)

Stick to sausages and burgers, plus a green sala , potato salad, burger bun and bridge type rolls for the sausages. PLenty of tomato kethcup or mustard.

Any veggies coming?

always cook chicken in the oven first. Just needs finishing off on the BBQ. Much safer and easier than affing with it on the BBQ.

it's charcoal, and as far as I know, no veggies, but I might do the mushrooms anyway, they sound yum!

they are, finish off under the grill if the cheese won't melt. Should do though

I think the meat is all covered, but stayin with the kebab theme - fruit salad kebab skewers.

Pineapple, Strawberries, Kiwi, Mango, anything.. cut into cubes, pop it on some skewers, give it a very light sprinkle of mixed ground spice and pop it on the BBQ for a minute or so each side. Then serve it with a nice light dip - greek honey and a nice plain yoghurt go well.