If you always end up cooking burgers and sausages every time you fire up your barbecue, then it might be time to widen your chargrilling repertoire a little. There are so many foods you can cook up on a barbecue – especially if you invest in some well-chosen accessories.
Before you light up…
…do check your local council’s policy on barbecues during the COVID-19 pandemic, as some local authorities have put temporary bans in place, even for barbecues in isolation.
Winner winner, chicken dinner
Barbecue manufacturers such as Kamado Joe and Landmann now offer chicken stands to complement their impressive range of outdoor cookers. Their ceramic or cast iron chicken holders will cook a whole bird, via the smoke and heat of a compatible barbecue. For a summer twist on the usual Sunday roast, this inexpensive accessory makes outdoor cooking much more fun.
Cooking a casserole
A Dutch oven works in a similar way to a chicken stand, but is designed for cooking one-pot meals such as stews, soups and casseroles rather than roasts. The large vast iron pot looks professional, and means that cooking outside can be a daily occurrence, at least during fine weather. It’s a great way to cater for a crowd during parties, and is bound to become a talking point among your guests.
Freshly baked pizza
Not everyone likes meat-heavy meals, or even eats animal products, for that matter. If vegetable kebabs seem a little uninspired, why not invest in your very own outdoor pizza oven? The design of the DoJo means that it’s easy to check on progress as your pizzas cook on the ceramic pizza stone. Buy or whip up some dough, let the kids pick their own toppings and off you go. Easy, probably cheesy, and certain to be a crowd-pleaser.
Char-griddled to perfection
The Landmann cast iron griddle plate is perfect for carnivores, pescatarians and even vegans. This nifty piece of kit has a ridged side and a flat side, and can cook anything from a small prawn to a mighty T-bone steak.
Finger-licking ribs
If you fancy nibbling on a few perfectly-cooked ribs before you tuck into your burgers, sirloin, chicken or bangers, then a rib rack might just be the barbecue must-have for you. A rack can also be used for holding chops as they cook, making the most of the available space.
Spinning around
Kamado Joe’s innovative rotisserie is made from robust cast aluminium, and converts a barbecue to an effective, self-basting rotisserie inside your Kamodo Joe. The 120V motor is quiet, yet can revolve up to 50 pounds of meat. During cooking, meat juices are retained to ensure an even cook as well as maximum flavour.
Something fishy
If you’re bored of those cold salads often served alongside chargrilled meats, why not thread some vegetables onto a skewer, or serve up some barbecued prawns as a starter? Landmann’s kebab skewer system makes this really easy, while the fish holder is ideal for cooking fresh seafood.
