With warmer days, lighter nights and Bank Holiday weekends ahead, it’s safe to say barbecue season is officially here. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a barbecue, having drinks on ice and being surrounded by the chaos of family and friends, however it can sometimes be stressful being the host and in charge of the grill.
Food expert and founder of The Gift of Oil, Phil Bianchi, has shares his top hacks for barbecues - including a 12p cleaning hack.
Clean the grill with an onion
No one likes to clean the BBQ grill, especially after you’ve spent all day cooking all kinds of juicy meat. However, if you use an onion, not only does it have a natural antibacterial effect, but the steam it produces when rubbed on the hot grill cleans it all away. For this to work, you must cut the onion in half and make sure the grill is still piping hot. A single onion should cost you around 12p.
Don’t let the food dry out
Often, when cooking on the BBQ, the meat can dry out very quickly. A simple, yet effective, trick to stop this from happening is to find an empty spray bottle in your house. Clean it out, and fill it up with lemon juice or lemon infused olive oil to really give it the extra moisture and flavour. Applying this over the meat will not only keep it moist but also elevate the flavour.
Cocktail ice cubes
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to BBQ drinks, but why not put a twist on your hosting game and create your own cocktail ice cubes. Take vodka, chop up preferred fruit and add it all into ice cube trays with some black cherry infused balsamic. Make plenty, and then add them into soft drinks.
Herbs in the coal
Cooking on a BBQ doesn’t have to limit the flavours you can create. Adding herbs into the coals really ups your grilling game and will go down a treat with guests. Dried herbs can be used, but to really enhance those flavours I’d choose fresh herbs!
Don’t forget about desserts
BBQ’s don’t just have to be for meat and savoury foods! Surprise guests with some dessert skewers. Make fruit kebabs, with strawberries and include some marshmallows. Create a dessert the guests will love and drizzle over some chocolate and coffee infused balsamic.
Spruce up your salads
Bring restaurant quality to your guests this BBQ season and get some infused balsamics to really enhance your salad. Whether you love sweet or spicy, just a simple drizzle over salads will make a BBQ buffet go from basic to boujee. Why not try a pomegranate and fig infused balsamic.
Make way for the condiments
BBQs might not always be about presentation, but there’s no reason why you can’t at least try! Put all those condiments, and even the additional toppings for burgers, skewers and salads into a muffin tin. This not only looks fancy for your guests, but it’s also a great way to organise them all.
