Courtesy of Freepik.
Bored with the BBQ?
Another invitation to another BBQ and you're thinking about declining because, let's face it, we started grilling in May, and 2 months later we're just bored with BBQ!
So what can you do?
Glad you asked! There are many ways to put some BOOM! into your BBQ. Don't let the late-summer start deter you from starring these tasty tips (featured below) at your next get-together.
The Breakdown
Besides our own in-house expert, Mama, we've talked with chefs and home cooks just like you who are over the grilling grind. Recently, we read through this discussion board answering this question:
Does anyone have a killer suggestion or recipe for BBQing something different? Something that will take love, time, and basting and make the neighbors' noses twitch with jealous curiosity?
The very first response by Chris G. set the record straight: "That ain't barbecue - that's grilling." As he says, BBQ is cooking low and slow over indirect heat to add a nice smoky flavor.
A follow-up response from John Clark talks about grill-roasting. This is a method in between BBQ and grilling. The upside to this is, "[y]ou don't have to drink beer for fourteen hours as with a 'real bbq,' and you can expand your range beyond steaks, etc." just like you do with grilling.
Courtesy of onlyyouqj from Freepik.
As many of our panelists revealed, the secret to making an awesome BBQ is adding liquid smoke. Liquid smoke is "literally, smoke condensed into a liquid form," according to Eater.com, whose name speaks volumes to its credibility.
If you're in the mood for some BBQ, but you don't have liquid smoke on hand, then go to a good middle-eastern market, and get some shish kafta or tawook spices, and some swordlike skewers (which the kids love), and start cooking.
Shish kafta is sort of like crazy seasoned burgers on a sword/stick thing that's usually served with fresh pita and a tasty yogurt sauce or hummus.
If that sounds like too much trouble, then what do you do?
The Obvious Answer
You know what Mama will tell you--lahori chicken tikka bbq! Middle-eastern spices are a fantastic way to add flavor, especially bbq flavor. There's no need to run to the market, Mama's Masalas delivers to your door!
Our recipe for lahori tikka bbq shish kabobs (seen below) gives you an easy way to make what Mama gave you--a great seasoning mix to bring some boom to the backyard!
Go Outside the Meat Section
Of course, we're going to recommend spices to play with flavor; to us they're like the paints in an artist's pallet. If your BBQ brain is focused on beef, chicken, pork, and fish, you're missing some great, if not, often used options for BBQing.
Fruits
Courtesy of elenashashkina from Freepik.
Try grilling these seasonal sweets:
- Pears
- Peaches
- Pineapples
Why do all grilling fruits start with the letter P? It's not a rule, we've heard of figs being grilled before. Grilling brings out the sweetness in fruit. Don't be shy. Give it a try!
Veggies
Courtesy of alex9500 from Freepik.
Why heat up the house to get your greens in? Pretty much any vegetable can be grilled. Add a grilling basket to your cooking routine, throw in your asparagus, zucchini slices, peppers, broccoli for healthy sides, along with some olive oil no grilling basket? Cut up your veggies so that they won't fall through the grate, or, better yet, wrap in foil and get them to the fire! Add some Mama’s Masalas baigan bhurta seasoning --it’s the perfect way to give your veggies a unique taste without adding heat.
Don't turn down the next invitation to dine outdoors simply because your friends have brought you to tears with their tenderloins and bland beef. Be bold!
Courtesy of oneinchpunch from Freepik.
Why heat up the house to get your greens in? Pretty much any vegetable can be grilled. Add a grilling basket to your cooking routine, throw in your asparagus, zucchini slices, peppers, broccoli for healthy sides, along with some olive oil no grilling basket? Cut up your veggies so that they won't fall through the grate, or, better yet, wrap in foil and get them to the fire! Add some Mama’s Masalas baigan bhurta--it’s the perfect way to give your veggies a unique taste without adding heat.
Don't turn down the next invitation to dine outdoors simply because your friends have brought you to tears with their tenderloins and bland beef. Be bold!
Host your own dinner party and show off some of your newfound skills for making a better BBQ. We'd like it if you share this blog with them, helping out is what friends do, but if you want to keep us a secret, we get it. We'll catch you next time.
If you liked this post, then you'll love our Hey Mama! Look at me! Contest mentioned in last week's post. Mama is giving you a chance to be as creative as you want to be in the kitchen with her seasonings. In exchange, she'll be awarding prizes!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renée Clare-Kovacs is the Director of Marketing & Strategy at Mama’s Masalas. A mama herself, she spent her parenting years working to instill the things that are important to her and her husband--culture, justice, and wonder--into their children. With both in college now, she is learning to love them from afar, hoping they become the best versions of themselves they can be.
Renée grew up in Flint, Michigan and got to the South as quick as she could. In Atlanta, Georgia, she was raised into Southern traditions of hospitality, Southern and coastal foods. While getting this education, she also earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Central Michigan University and her master’s degree in Digital Content Strategy from the University of Kansas.