Making the most out of the current weather comes easy when BBQ is on the menu. Sunny weekends, a fire pit, a couple of friends, cold beer and grilling meat. The ideal recipe for success and leisure. BBQ in Australia is a serious business, with each backyard having its own MasterChef. Grilling fine BBQ and entertaining your friends and family so great that wish to come again is the dream of many. It comes easier than you think. With a bit of elbow grease, positive energy and practical tips&tricks, you will be ready in no time. Let us get started!
1. Prep time saves time
When the guests arrive, that's when the party starts! Everything before should be aimed at preparing your BBQ. Plates, utensils, tables, and chairs, all of them need to be already out and set. Beer won't get cooled in an instant so be sure to let it beer chill in the freezer beforehand. Ideally, your drinks should be in the fridge a day before, and you should take out your meat to thaw on the morning of the BBQ. Get your fire started, and first grill the largest pieces of meat. Set the dishes, tables, sauces, and just about anything before your guests arrive. When all is set and done, you will have all the time in the world to dedicate to your BBQ party.
2. Snacks
While the meat is grilling, the smell alone can entice the salivating appetite. To avoid your guest's tummies from rumbling salads, appetizers, light snacks, and similar are there to keep them occupied. Finely balanced and complementing the main dish, we all are here to enjoy and gorge. Think of BBQ snacks as the warm-up band while the main attraction gets on stage. Snacking keeps the conversation going, and people are willing to wait a bit more while you prepare that ideal BBQ. Time produces perfection, which cannot be rushed, so snacks are your secret weapon to buy time.
3. Getting into the meat of things
Grilling air won't cut it when it comes to great BBQ. The main attraction, star dish, and the point of a BBQ is meat. In that endeavor slacking and cutting corners won't do the job right. Slacking is allowed once everything is set done and you wish to relax, and cutting is only allowed on the best pieces of meat. Going out and getting those fine lamb chops, pork cuts, sausages, bacon, bacon, and more bacon (you can never have too much bacon), and all other fine meat to grill is what BBQ is all about. Doing some research about quality meat online will let you know where you can get such delicate. BBQ quality is directly related to meat quality. You work with what you have, so quality ingredients make for quality time.
4. How to marinade
Taking a slab of meat and tossing it on hot charcoal is all fine and dandy, but you can easily take it up a notch. Salt and pepper are the foundation of any marinade. When marinating, it's enough to start a day before your BBQ. Take your fine meat cuts and rub salt and pepper into them. Finish it with a bit of smoked, grounded paprika, and that's it. Unbelievable, but these three simple ingredients are enough to get you started.
Then all you need to do is let the meat rest for 24h in your fridge and for the marinade to get soaked in. BBQ sauces are a dime a dozen, where you can't go wrong. Taking your seasoned meat slabs and soaking them in soy sauce, store-bought BBQ sauces while tossing some rosemary, will produce a whole new dimension of taste you never knew was there. Chicken meat goes well with curry and curry sauces. On the topic of marinade, there is always the topic of spiciness. Some people like to burn the roof of their mouth off, others not so much. Providing spicy seasoning and sauces as a side dish is the ideal middle ground. That way, everyone can spice up their BBQ how they like it.
5. Guest contribution
Last, but not least, you can ask your guests to help out a bit. Someone can bring anything from booze, salad, potato dip, etc. Make sure that the items you ask for are small, easy to get, and carry. When you invite people to your BBQ, the main idea is for all of you to relax and enjoy your time, not work or have obligations and hustle.
BBQing is a time treasured tradition worldwide, but especially in Australia. Perfect weather, great meat, and enjoyable company. The trifecta-making BBQ work before and for ages to come. Sprinkling some positive attitude over your BBQ party will make all the difference. In the end, it's about spending time with the people we love. BBQ is just a bonus.