What are some ideas beyond the traditional sausages and steak on the bbq?

Question

I caused a flood of emails to the Soapbox after my comment that ‘real men don’t use wok burners’ on the BBQ. We even had chef Darren Simpson on the show the following day to prove me wrong. He cooked a delicious mushroom sauce in the BBQ wok burner.

It’s the entertaining season, so I’d like to hear your BBQ recipes ideas, and the rules in your house when it comes to the BBQ.
- Sunrise Presenter David Koch

Read the Soapbox feature about wok burners - http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/sunrise/1184/kochie-real-men-dont-use-wok-burners/

Darren’s mushroom sauce recipe - http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/sunrise/1235/grilled-beef-w-mushroom-sauce-on-the-bbq/

More Sunrise recipes - http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/sunrise/recipes/

Answer 1

Kochie!!!

#1 - For me, and I know this is a stigma for some, but SHRIMPS (lol prawns thank you) taste amazing on the barbie- especially loaded up with a puree of olive oil, chilli, garlic and lemon juice, I skewer them and peel the skin but leave the tails on for presentation.

#2 - Breakfast on the barbie- perfect holiday hangover cure. Cut some capsicums into 1 inch rings. Place on the barbie and crack an egg into the center of each. Some ultra thin strips of streaky bacon, and some thick slices of turkish brushed with olive oil , salt and rosemary on the grill side. Served with bbq sauce!

#3 Portuguese flattened chicken - brine the chix overnight in salt water. Then before you marinade, pour a kettle of hot water over. Pierce the skin with a prong. Marinade in red pepper pesto, garlic, chilli and lemon. Grill that on low heat until cooked.

Answer 2

Well Kochie and Co, you're only limited by your imagination. With hood BBQs, rotisseries, baking racks, wok burners etc you can cook just about ANYTHING on the BBQ.

I think where the problem comes in is that men are traditionally in charge of the Barbie, right? So..... men find it a little bit worrying to be in charge of the entire meal and having the components all ready to go at the same time; that is because this requires the ability to do more than suck on a stubbie while you flick the snags over every now and then.

However, this problem can be overcome. I believe that it is possible the men can do more than 1 -2 things at a time. With some gentle persuasion and tuition, most women are able to win over their men and get them to realise that they can do it - and even better for the fairer sex, they can do it SOLO!

And how fabulous that is - men love to the BBQ and women know that any food that is cooked by somebody else is the best food ever :-)

PS - this is my favourite BBQ recipe:- http://bbqday.com/component/option,com_ricettario/func,detail/Itemid,26/id,43692/

You could easily whip up some roast some potatoes on the BBQ, throw on the chicken parcels, and whip up some stir fried veges on the wok burner while you wait. Perfect!

Answer 3

BBQs are strictly a male domain in our household...but I can certainly relate to this old joke...

Definition of Outdoor BBQ....it's the only type of cooking a real man do.

When a man volunteers to do such cooking, the following chain of events is put into motion.


The woman goes to the store.
The woman fixes the salad, vegetables and dessert.
The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils, and takes it to the man, who is lounging beside the grill, drinking a beer.
The man places the meat on the grill.
The woman goes inside to set the table and check the vegetables.
The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning.
The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman.
The woman prepares the plates and brings them to the table.
After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
The man asks the woman how she enjoyed "her night off."
And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women.

Answer 4

Ok then, I personally believe that wok burners are a bit strange myself, however, they are the one thing that can turn an aussie barbie (not the doll) into the best feed ever. My Favouritte thing to cook on the BBQ would have to Garlic Prawns. Mix some FRESH crushed garlic, some chille and the jukice of a lime and cook on the BBQ or if you don't like the garlic breath so much combine some garlic with butter with parsley and cook the prawns in that. Merry Christmas

Answer 5

My grandfather had a "wok" burner long before they came with the barbie. It was actually just a normal gas plate. He used to make chilli mussels, cook crabs and lobster. I am now the official bbq chef as I am generally the only one sober enough. Nothing better than some nice whole trout, stuffed with fresh italian parsley, cracked black pepper and a few slices of red onion. Whack a couple of orange slices on each side, and tie with kitchen string (definately not anything made with plastic). Cook on the bbq for about 5-8 minutes each side. The sugars in the orange caramalise on the skin of the fish, and the parsley gives it a nice fresh flavour. Try it and the wife will think you are a god.

Answer 6

well there is a few different types of BBQ.
there is your poverty BBQ that's just snags n sauce on the bread then there is the normal BBQ with a few selections and the sides then there is the "people who wish they where chefs BBQ "where you have a buffet of food that is special and you remember and look forward to the next one.
for Xmas the BBQ needs to be more than your average barbie a few selections and something that you wouldn't normally throw on the hot plate after work.
a little more effort is required.
the best is the seafood BBQ it is quick and low maintenance.

BBQ your fish in foil with a knob of butter and heaps of fresh herbs and some lemon juice.
always have some fresh prawns with plenty of sauces.
nothin better than that.
anything that you can cook inside you can cook on the barbie .I find people are scared to put vegies on the barbie you can put any vegie on the bbq my fav are zucchini sliced long ways about 1 cm thick so you do not lose it or it burns which applies to any thing you put on the bbq, and capsicums.
the list is endless eggplant, beetroot, potato.
just remember to pick the right BBQ for the guests,
because some times you need a povo BBQ and other times you need to put in more effort.

Answer 7

Well Kochie, I've always believed food on a stick always tastes great especially charcoaled on a BBQ. So my never fail BBQ pleases are full chicken or turkey wings marinated - choose your favourite - skewered then BBQed. These never stay long on the hot plate once cooked. My other favourite is the traditional Lamb Kavta on a stick - great with some Greek yogurt dressing drizzled over it once cooked - YUM! Enjoy the best part of Aussie summers - The Backyard BBQ!

Answer 8

Hey Kochie!

I'm pretty boring when it comes to cooking on the BBQ! Give me meat and snags any day!!

Every so often (lol.. when we have "Good" company)
I also make chicken kebabs that have been marinated in Satay or Soy or I barbeque prawns (Also on a skewer)

Cobs of corn up in aluminium foil with a bit of butter and pepper! (you have to turn often or they end up black!)
Slices of potato (Sometimes mushrooms as well) and throw them on.

Sometimes I cook fresh fish wrapped up in Al-foil with some herbs and a bit of lemon squeezed on for taste!

My BBQ has a wok burner, but I have only used it once to keep the onions warm. (Though when the wok lid is down it makes a great bench!)

The only rule I have when cooking... is if I start it, then I finish it as the "MEN" always try and take over when you have nearly finished cooking (And then they take the credit, because the first half hour seems to not count!!!!) Oh and I have to have a beverage in my hand and thongs on my feet!

Answer 9

Thai Style Prawn Skewers

You need:
2 dozen cooked cocktail prawns with tails on(you can buy a pack of imported frozen prawns for around $8 at Woolworths/Safeway
1 large onion cut into wedges
1 red capsicum cut into chunks

and for the Marinade:
3/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 tspn fish sauce
1 small lime squeezed and flesh shredded
2 tbsp or more of hot chilli paste (eg. Byron Bay Chili Co)
1 heaped tbsp honey
1/2 tspn coarse black pepper

Mix all marinade ingredients together you can add more or less of each depending on your taste.

Thread the prawns, onions and capsicums onto metal skewers.

With a basting brush spread marinade all over the skewers. Place on large flat dish and refridgerate for at least half an hour.

Place direct onto hot BBQ grill basting with leftover marinade before each time you turn the skewers. This will stop them for drying and will leave them gooey and flavoursome. A couple minutes on each side will do. They should be slightly charred in placed but not burnt.

Answer 10

Kochie , YOU were correct in stating that Real Men don`t use Wok-burners on the Aussie Barbie...even if Dazza did do it , Wok burners are for Gas Tops ONLY! (good on ya , Daz!) BUT real BBQ cooking is only left to the Imagination ( AND raw Cooking Skills) of those who dare to be Out-side of conventianality.........any-one can cook ANY-THING on a BBQ that is capable of being cooked on a Stove/Plate/Grill...! Taste the difference of a gutted half Tomato , filled with cheese , onion , bacon , chilli , chives and corn done on a BBQ , as compared with doing the same on a cooker!
E-mail me with your taste test , if you (or Dazza) will!.......from a Townsville born and bred BBQ`er.

P.S......the ONLY rule at my place about BBQ`ing IS...I do it!

Answer 11

BBQ's should be something simple! When cooking a BBQ you don't want to be making something that the head chef (usually the husband after a few beers) is going to DESTROY! Stick to steak, sausages, rissoles, kebabs, prawns AND DON'T FORGET THE ONIONS!!!

It's all well and good to go a little fancy, but isn't the whole idea of the Aussie BBQ a get together with family and friends, who wear shorts, thongs and bathers...The men joke and compare beer bellies while the women gossip and get tipsy on cheap wine?... after all, who wants to be all dressed up when its time for the game of backyard cricket??