It's almost summertime, and you know what that means - barbecue season is here! If you love to host barbecues for your friends and family, why not get creative and try some new recipes this year?
Here are a few unique yet simple ideas that are sure to impress your guests.
Rather than just stocking the cooler with beers, try one of these creative cocktail recipes with a barbecue-y twist!
You’ll need to gather the classic ingredients: bourbon, rye or whiskey, sugar and bitters. Then cut the peaches into four quarters, place them on the grill and cook until charred. Next, in a cocktail shaker, muddle sugar, thyme, bitters and lime juice.
Once that’s finished add bourbon, and shake it. Once it’s mixed you can add the peach wedge and stir. For a little extra flare, add in a sprig of thyme for garnish.
Another classic beverage is lemonade because it’s the perfect drink to quench your thirst on a hot summer’s day. A great option to upgrade your favourite summer bevy is adding grilled or grapefruit into the mix.
You’ll need to start with the basics - muddled lemon, soda and sugar. Then place your sliced grapefruit or lemons on the grill and cook until charred. Once it’s finished, stir the fruit into the original lemonade and it’s ready to be served. Want to spice up your recipe? Try adding a few shots of flavoured vodka or gin.
Pineapple is becoming the mascot for summer fun, so why not put it in our cocktails? Grilling pineapple adds an awesome punch of flavour. Start with pineapple juice in a glass or container and add a bit of soda water.
Then, grill the pineapple chunks until they are carmelized and charred. When they are done, add them into the mix, stir and you’re done.
Now that you’ve got the party started it’s time to send out some appetizers!
Who doesn’t love a good appy? There are so many easy recipes to try, and it’s a great way to keep your guests’ hunger at bay.
A great option for appetizers are kebabs. They are super easy to make and take little to no effort to prepare.
In case you never knew, watermelon tastes amazing on the grill. Pair it with chunks of feta and fresh basil and you’ll have an appy that is seriously to die for.
All you need to do is peel the watermelon and cut it into chunks, slide it onto the skewers and grill it. Once the watermelon is charred, you can add the fresh basil and feta onto the skewer and bam! A yummy appy made in under 30 minutes. Consider sprinkling balsamic glaze, or salt and pepper to taste for additional flavour.
If you prefer your kebabs with a little more protein, then read on.
Marinade the prawns to your discretion. Some awesome flavour combos to try are cayenne and garlic, salt, pepper and lemon or cayenne and lemon for a spicy citrus twist. Once you’ve finished marinating the prawns, add the chunks of avocado and prawns onto the skewers and cook until the prawns are pink and the avocado is charred. This should take under 20 minutes.
If you are looking for something a little more simple, try grilling pickles, ham and cheese on a skewer! But don’t forget to add the cheese at the very end, or things will get a little messy.
Speaking of cheese, ever tried grilled brie? It’s pretty life changing. All you need is a brie wheel and a baguette
For the best outcome try the Firespice Cedar Planks from Weber - they add an additional flavour and help keep the clean-up easy. You can grill your cheese and your bread in just under 20 minutes.
If you’re wondering where to buy skewers, Weber has bamboo skewers and a stainless steel skewer set that are all priced under 20 dollars. Purchasing reusable skewers means you’ll never run out so you can keep the party going, plus it’s more environmentally friendly and affordable in the long run!
Your mains may be the star of the show, but the supporting cast is just as important! Here are a few simple recipes to complement that main dish.
This creative recipe will have avocado fans coming back for seconds! Start by cooking up some onions and peppers in a pan. Then, halve your avocados and add a scoop of the pepper and onion mixture to each half.
Grill your stuffed avocados until soft, and add a little cheese for the last few minutes.
Another great option is grilling carrots. Once they’ve finished cooking add a bit of butter, sliced ginger and honey.
The carrot’s flavour profile transforms into a really intriguing sweet and salty combo.
If you’re interested in an easy salad option, trim up a few heads of lettuce and add them to the grill. Add zucchini and sweet potatoes to this salad and it turns into a really great option to pair with pork or chicken.
You can add any salad dressing but balsamic, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper is a really great low-calorie option.
Feeling hungry yet? We hope you enjoy grilling up some tasty new creations this summer! If these recipes have sparked your interest, just do a bit of googling to find the specifics.
Barbecuing with the right accessories can make grilling your entrees really simple. Consider purchasing a thermometer with a built-in timer so you can step away from your barbecue and enjoy the party without worrying about ruining your food.
Weber has a variety of accessories to assist every griller. Whether it’s accessories for your food like roasters, rotisseries and grilling racks or accessories for you like grilling gloves, barbecue mitts, aprons and more, there are plenty of options for you to elevate your skills. White’s Barbecue and Fireplace is a local Weber alliance dealer that can help you find the right accessories and grill for your next outdoor barbecue.
If you are looking for more information on how to find a grill that suits your lifestyle, click this link.
If you need help, you can find White's Barbecue and Fireplace Centre located at 160-2000 Spall Road, on the corner of Spall and Springfield.
White’s Barbecue and Fireplace has been family owned and operated for over 25 years right here in the heart of the Okanagan. They have a complete line-up of Weber grills from the newest Spirit II, Genesis II and Summit alongside many other major brands. The friendly staff operate under a no pressure sales attitude, honour all competitive pricing, offer free assembly and lots of local promotions, making their shop a grill lover’s dream! White’s... put some sizzle on it! You can find White's Barbecue and Fireplace located at the corner of Spall and Springfield.
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