June 2022: Outdoor dining ideas
With the arrival of longer summer evenings, alfresco dining follows. Of course, there’s no better toast to summer than the all-mighty BBQ. Looking for summer foods that offer something different to last year’s burgers? We’ve scoped out delicious and alternative BBQ recipes to set the season alight.
Citrus Sea Bass
Serves 4
Preparation time: approx. 5 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Known for its health benefits, sea bass is fast becoming a BBQ food favourite. Delicious with citrus, as a light and zesty summer food staple.
Ingredients
4 Sea bass fillets
2 Tsps of olive oil
4 Bay leaves
Salt and pepper
1 Sliced Lemon (peel still remaining)
2 Sliced oranges (peel still remaining)
4 Sprigs of thyme
Method
Ensure the BBQ is lit. Begin to prepare your sea bass fillets, by seasoning each with salt and pepper, and rubbing with olive oil.
Place the fillets skin-side down on your BBQ; distribute bay leaves, lemon, and orange slices on top of each.
Cook for 6 minutes, then turn over each fillet to the other side, grilling for another 6 minutes.
To serve, lift the fillets onto serving plates.
When accompanied with your choice of salad, this BBQ recipe is sure to claim its spot as a family favourite.
Asian-Inspired Miso BBQ Aubergine
Serves 6 (as a side-dish)
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Packed with oriental flavours, this miso-glazed BBQ recipe packs a punch with its tangy glaze. Sure to be a hit with veggies & non-veggies alike!
Ingredients
For the aubergines
3 Aubergines
1 Tbsp of olive oil
35g Roughly chopped salted peanuts
2 Diagonally sliced spring onions
Freshly ground pepper (for seasoning)
1 Deseeded and sliced small red chilli
For the glaze
100ml Mirin rice wine (or another form of sweet white wine, such as Riesling makes a good alternative)
2 Tbsp of miso paste
1 Tbsp of turmeric
2 Tbsp of maple syrup
2 Crushed garlic cloves
1 Tsp of finely chopped lemongrass (approx. an eighth of a stem)
Method
Light the BBQ to preheat while chopping each aubergine lengthways.
Once chopped, score the flesh in a crisscross pattern. Each score should be around 2cm deep.
Whisk the glaze ingredients together in a bowl.
Once mixed, brush half of the miso glaze onto the flesh side (into the score lines). Leave to marinate for 15 minutes. Then, brush olive oil onto the aubergine skins.
Place the marinated aubergines onto the BBQ, with the flesh-side facing upwards. Barbeque for 10 minutes.
Turn the aubergines over (flesh-side down) for 4 minutes, until you notice that the skins are browned.
Transfer the aubergines off the BBQ, facing flesh side up. Brush the remainder of the glaze onto the aubergine flesh, sprinkling with chopped peanuts, finely chopped spring onions, and chilli.
And viola’! Transported to an oriental summer, your go-to BBQ food choices won’t be the same again.
Garlic & Smoked Paprika Prawn Skewers
Serves 4
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Spanish smoked paprika meets garlic, for a zingy summer food hit. All the health benefits of juicy king prawns, marinated to mouthwatering perfection.
Ingredients
500g Raw king prawns
2 Cloves of crushed garlic
Freshly ground black pepper
½ Tbsp of smoked paprika
1 Tbsp of olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 Tbsp of cumin seeds
Soak four wooden skewer sticks in tap water for 10 minutes.
While these are soaking, mix together the crushed garlic, cumin, paprika, olive oil, and lemon juice into a bowl.
Add the prawns into the bowl, ensuring that each is well coated in the marinade. Leave to marinate within this glaze mixture for 10-15 minutes.
Light the BBQ, and skewer prawns onto each stick (roughly an equal amount for each one).
Place onto BBQ; cook for 2 minutes, turning skewers over. Then continue to cook for another 2 minutes, brushing any remaining marinade over the skewers.
Transfer onto serving plates for a zesty addition to your BBQ food banquet.
Simple in method, but certainly not simple in taste. A sure family favourite, packing a vibrant punch.
So there you have it! 3 BBQ recipes that will make your summer sizzle!