With the unusually balmy spell of weather we've been enjoying of late, people are definitely getting their money's worth out of their barbecues. At long last!
Although you may think you're bossing your BBQ, like everything, there's always room for improvement.
Alison was delighted to be joined in studio by Cooks Academy's Head Chef Instructor, friend of the show and all-round cool guy, Jack O'Keeffe.
Jack had some top tips for getting the most out of your barbecue whether it's charcoal, gas or disposable...
"The main thing with barbecuing is just to have fun, but a very important tip is don’t put the food directly right over the heat. Brown it on the outside and then move it to a lower heat. Use an indirect heat to be safer and make tastier food".
Jack also recommends an extra special tip with some turf to really impress your guests, "..when your charcoal or gas barbecue gets hot, pop a piece of turf on top of it and the smoke will give it a beautiful smoky flavour".
Turf? Good for just about everything it would seem!
And if you're looking to appease the veggies in your life by removing the meat from the barbecue, there's so much more to do than just grilling some peppers.
Jack recommends treating any big root vegetable like it's a piece of meat; "Try slow roasting a turnip. Leave the skin on, the skin will protect it, leave it for about an hour deep in the charcoal, check it after an hour, peel it, cut it into steaks, coat it in a barbecue rub and grill it as though it were a steak. It’ll be no turnip like you’ve ever had".
But the barbecue is not just about your meat and veg, Jack also has some desert ideas for those sunshine days. Listen in below to find out how you can make a pineapple upside down cake...on the barbecue.
We're not drooling, YOU'RE DROOLING.
You can listen to Weekend Breakfast, every weekend here on Today FM - Saturday Breakfast 8-11am & Sunday Breakfast 7-9am.
