BBQ Ideas please

[TheHouseofMirth]

Instead of getting cauht on the hop and panic buying sausages, burgers and not having time to marinade the chicken, this time I want to do it properly but I don't know where to start.

Any tasty ideas?

I like:

souvlaki - pork, chicken or lamb
whole fish
prawns/langoustines

With meat, I think the key is bold flavours which mainly come from marinating.

Also think through what extras you'll have that will match well with your fish/meat, eg rosemary and garlic cubed potatoes, salads that complement etc.

We love halloumi kebabs, and always have them, plus chicken kebabs and homemade burgers.
Some bread (I usually do pitta as it's great to stuff), potatoes and a couple of salads and that's about it.

I tend to go for the less is more approach.

For dessert I always do chocolate bananas, and then make something (a cheesecake usually) and a fruit salad.

If you want to marinate some chicken, try mixing a small post of natural yogurt with a tbsn of good curry paste (like Patak's Tikka Massala) and a squeeze of lemon juice. Leave if for a few hours or overnight. Meat is lovely and tender with a lovely spicy taste.

try wrapping some asparagus spears in bacon or parma ham and putting them on the BBQ for a few mins - yum yum!

Meat must-haves in our house are:

Chicken marinated in jerk seasoning + homemade burgers and/or steaks + some really good quality bangers. We have been known to do snapper, langoustine and monkfish & scallop kebabas on the BBQ, but only if catering for small numbers (expensive!). Halloumi & veg kebabs or portobello mushrooms as a veggie option.

I usually make a couple of big leafy salads - favourites are a babyleaf spinach, very thinly sliced cucumber & avocado salad with a fresh mint dressing and a simple rocket and cherry tomato salad with balsamic. If you want something more substantial, toabouleh or a cous cous and roasted veg salad?

Potatoes or sweet potatoes, baked and then halved and chucked on the barbie to blacken for a few secs are lovely.

Crusty white bread (soft rolls for the kids) always go down well.

Maybe have a few interesting pickles, chutneys, condiments etc as well as the usual ketchup and mustard.?