4 tips to vary your BBQ menu
This grill season, meat consumption increases due to frequent use of the barbecue. Indeed, it is easy to misunderstand the popular belief that the barbecue is reserved for the sole use of meat.
However, there are various tips to vary your BBQ menu and enjoy the good taste of grilled meats while limiting the quantity of meat on the plate.
Here are our tips for varying the BBQ menu this summer!
1era tip to vary your BBQ menu: Fish
At first glance, it may seem intimidating to prepare fish on the barbecue. Its fragile flesh cooks quickly, which may seem incompatible with the high temperature of the grill.
However, fish goes well with barbecue, provided you follow a few tips.
For tender-fleshed fish (tilapia, cod, trout), opt for papillote, a cooking method perfectly compatible with the BBQ. Place each piece of fish on aluminum foil (you can add a layer of parchment paper between the fish and the foil to reduce aluminum and fish contact) and season it with a choice of lemon juice, mustard, salt/pepper and fine herbs. Close everything tightly and send the fish to the barbecue grill.
The foil allows the fish to steam, which provides healthy cooking compared to cooking on the direct grill. Indeed, as fish is a fatty food, the papillote avoids the harmful flames produced by fats as we explained in our article on Safe BBQ.
For firmer fish such as halibut, turbot and tuna, opt for cooking on an aromatic bed. This method consists of placing slices of fruit or vegetables (orange, pineapple, fennel, zucchini) on the grill and using these foods as a cooking surface. The fish will cook slowly while soaking up the aromas of the chosen fruits and/or vegetables. Once cooking is complete, compost the aromatic foods.
Firm-fleshed fish are good guinea pigs for skewers. Cooking directly on the grill is also possible, provided you have a thick cut including the skin on hand.
2th tip to vary your BBQ menu: Meatless
Meatless (or imitation meat) is a popular alternative to which many turn for moral reasons or simply to lighten the meal.
With the world of meat-free products having seen phenomenal growth, it is now possible to get sausages, burger patties, “meatloaf” and even chicken wings without animal products. Meat-free products are designed to offer a texture similar to that of meat and grill conveniently on the BBQ.
For homemade vegetarian variations, black bean balls, tofu croquettes and portobello burgers are good options.
For a vegetarian dinner guaranteed to be a success, try one of our famous vegan BBQ recipes including Mediterranean seitan skewer or the asian tempeh skewer.
3th tip for varying your BBQ menu: Italian cuisine
Many of us enjoy the aroma of pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven. However, we forget to use our BBQ to the advantage of Italian cuisine to obtain results worthy of restaurants.
Whether the pizza dough is purchased or homemade, the BBQ grill will provide an amazing result.
Grill one side of the pizza dough for a minute before turning it over and placing the sauce, condiments and cheese on this grilled side. The pizza will cook quickly, in 5 to 6 minutes, over medium-high heat.
The barbecue will also give lots of flavor and texture to your grilled sandwiches. Paninis, originally from Italy under the name of panino, are now very widespread in the West. With a quality roll, a tasty pesto or tapenade and some grilled vegetables, you will get a perfectly grilled sandwich!
4th tip to vary your BBQ menu: Grilled vegetables
As the barbecue gives a pleasant aroma to its food, it can be used for grilling vegetables and even fruit.
Peppers, zucchini and red onions are essential for barbecue cooking. Roughly sliced, these vegetables are delicious when grilled and drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice and fresh herbs.
Grilled eggplant and mushroom slices are the perfect vegetarian panini candidates, when seasoned with balsamic vinegar and pepper.
Cook your squash on the barbecue, cutting it lengthwise, emptying it, brushing it with oil and cooking it (emptied side towards the grill), until a knife pierces its flesh easily.
Grilled vegetables go well with grilled pineapple, peach or apricot to accompany a main meal or make a warm salad.
Do like us! To la Boite à Grains, we are not afraid to dare! Cooking on the barbecue offers as many possibilities as any other method, as long as you are creative.
Happy BBQ!
About the author
Naturopaths from La Boite à Grains
Team of qualified and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau in Outaouais.
Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath