As it's summer, people love to Barbie, the first day of sun and the shops are packed with people buying a BBQ. They love to plan it all, invite friends around and buy the food, then it rains. We have all done that one, and to be honest a BBQ in this country is a no no from day one really. The odd time you manage to have one, there are wasps flying around, flies which land on your food and generally the food is overcooked as not many people understand the art of BBQ cooking. But we all sit there and say this is great.

They are very popular in the States and in Australia and it is nothing unusual to have a Barbie on the beach on Christmas Day. Down under they go for it in a big way, and who can blame them with their climate. The Americans tend to have one all year round as well

There are different types of BBQ's available in the shops. some that need charcoal to cook some cook on wood and gas ones, which aren't so good cos you don't get the nice taste of the charcoal on the food. They come in all shapes and sizes as well. You can put herbs on the coals to flavour the meat which gives a lovely aroma out as well, There are open BBQ's Drum ones, Kettle ones and disposable ones, which to be honest are probably the best option over here. They don't need much preparation and are ready to light and use. Some people have built in BBQ's in their garden, which look great but totally impractical unless you cover it in the winter then it becomes an eye sore.

People have cooked meat over flames for centuries, but nobody really knows where the idea came from. Columbus found that many of the natives in the Americas were cooking over a wooden grill, which gave the meat a lovely smoky flavour and this could be where the tradition started.

There are all sorts of food they say you can cook on a Barbie, but you have to be a real expert to even contemplate slow cooking of some stuff as they suggest.

The most popular things over here are sausages, chops, steak and many a time you need to put the flames out cos they have caught fire.

It can be a fun afternoon/evening, with some friends and a few drinks, and of course, don't forget the marshmallows at the end of the BBQ as well.

What are your thoughts on BBQ's? Do you use one? We don't, much prefer my food cooked properly and not burnt to a cinder and apart from that I object to insects flying around and landing on my food. Maybe if we got decent weather every year it is worth investing in one but not for the amount of use you get from it in this country and of course, you need to be able to store it in the winter.

All that is left to say is:

All are welcome.
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