OUR top 10 bbq tips
It’s time to dust off your BBQ and get into the groove…. here are our 10 top tips.
1. Empty any old ash
A mountain of ash in the bottom of the grill can obstruct vents and make temperatures difficult to control. If you have a pile of leftover ash in the bottom of your grill from the last time you cooked, get rid of it now. Put the ash into a bag and dispose of it in the dustbin.
2. Clean the grates
Use a stiff-bristled wire brush to clean any rust or residue off your grill grates.
3. Pre-heat your grill grates
Pre-heating your grill grates before putting food on them will help prevent foods from sticking. Once your coals are lit, put the grates on and let them heat up for a few minutes.
4. Oil the grill grates
A simple step that too many people skip. Wad up a paper towel and, using tongs, dip it in some cooking oil. Then use the tongs to thoroughly oil up the cooking grates. Your grill is now ready to add food and start cooking.
5. Cooking tips
Don’t cook your food over direct heat, all that will happen is you’ll burn it and probably undercook it. Sausages are a classic, overcook these and all you’ll do is split the skins and the fats will drip onto the coals causing flare-ups and that nasty acrid smoke, simply brown them first over high heat, then put to one side to cook through. 75.c is the internal temperature.
6. The perfect burger
Burgers are easy to make, at Brace we flavour ours with black pepper and sea salt and have a fat ratio of 70/30 meaning 30% fat which will baste your burger whilst cooking. To make a good burger at home, get some ground mince, add some sea salt, a grind of black pepper and a spoonful of Dijon mustard a handful of fresh bread crumbs and gently mix in, form into a ball then flatten with your hand so your patties are roughly 10cm thick, season with sea salt then place on the BBQ, turn occasionally until cooked through medium or to your taste. Now let’s turn the wick up a bit and Pimp this burger up. It’s all about a great tasting bun…..not just your supermarket sesame bun. You want a bun that will absorb the amazing juices and fountain of melting cheese. I personally like a brioche bun, sweet soft and they can handle most burgers. Lightly toast cut side only, Add a spoonful of onion confit and then top with Monterey jack cheese, allow to melt slightly, a dollop of BBQ sauce, take an Ancho chilli, these are the fat flat ones, sweet in flavour but with a nice warmth!! Pile on fresh watercress that has been dressed with a light mustard vinaigrette and place the top on.
7. Brochettes
A brochette can be skewered meat or fish….that is eaten off the skewer. A simple recipe can be chicken breast cut into chunks, threaded onto a skewer with peppers, red onions and then brush with garlic, olive oil and fresh oregano or marjoram, keep it simple and let the flavours shout out.
8. Salsa & sauces
Salsa is easy to make and you can really add anything to make your own:
You will need: 6 ripe tomatoes, 1 big bunch of fresh coriander, 1 red onion, 2 fresh jalapeños, 1 large clove of garlic, 1-2 limes , extra virgin olive oil
Finely chop the tomatoes and coriander including stalks and place into a large bowl. Peel and finely chop the onion, deseed and finely chop the chillies, then scrape into the bowl. Peel and finely grate in the garlic.
Squeeze in the juice from 1 lime, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and mix . Season to taste with sea salt, black pepper and more lime juice if needed. Serve or cover and set aside for a few hours to let all those flavours develop.
9. Flatbreads
Wow your family with this easy recipe and the kids will love to help make
You will need: 350g natural yoghurt, 350g self-raising flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder
Mix the baking powder with your flour then add to the yoghurt, knead for a few mins then leave aside in a bowl covered with a cloth, Take a golf ball size and flatten with your hand, dusting in flour then roll out to a thickness of 3cm, score with a knife then place on the bars of your BBQ, cook for a few mins until they puff up and are golden brown, flip over to cook the other side, Have a bowl of garlic butter or olive oil infused with fresh herbs and brush over the bread once cooked.
10. Clean your BBQ before storing to prevent rust and make next time easier!
How easy was that!!