No matter where you are from in the world, the smell of a sizzling barbeque is bound to take you back to fond memories, be it of your childhood or a happy moment surrounded by friends, family, cheer, and good food. For many people, the smell or memory of a barbeque reminds them of a summery Sunday afternoon in the garden. Maybe you call it a barbeque, BBQ, a braai, a barbie, a roast, or a cookout, it all generally means the same thing, which is food cooked outdoors on top of an open flame or coals. This visceral scene might even result in watering taste buds and a rumbling tummy. Nostalgic thoughts of your favorite roast, whether it was meat, veg, or both. Maybe you were the cook, host, sous chef, or the ‘merely’ there to enjoy, barbeques are for all. This discussion is going to look at everything you need for the perfect Sunday barbeque.
What Is A Barbeque Without Food?
No barbeque would be complete, never mind worth attending, without an assortment of delicious delicacies. Most importantly, and usually what the event centers around, is what will be roasted on the barbeque. For some families, this is chicken, beef, steak, any of the many types of pork ribs, kebabs, fish, or lamb. Typically, the meat will be paired with an easy-to-roast veggie such as sweet corn, onions, potatoes, peppers, or mushrooms. Asparagus is also a great vegetable to pair with steaks and ribs. With a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, you can easily make the perfect grilled asparagus that’s smoky and tender. The great thing about these vegetables is that they cook well on coals, which means your barbeque can cater to any and all dietary requirements, including vegan, pescatarian, and vegetarian.
There will usually be some accompanying cold dishes served along with the barbequed goods, such as salads, bread, and baked dishes. A fun way to coordinate the feast is to assign each person in attendance a different role. Chips and dips, desserts, napkins, delegate it all. Play to people’s strengths. So if aunt Barbara makes a mean potato bake, then by all means assign that job to her. People will enjoy the honor and responsibility of bringing along a contribution, and it makes the catering task less onerous on the host. When in doubt, divide and conquer!
Liquid Lunch (Or Dinner)
Many people would agree that you can’t enjoy a barbeque without a refreshing glass of something in your hand. It does not need to be the alcoholic varietal, as long as it quenches your thirst and is refreshing to sip, you’re sorted. For some people, enjoying a boozy barbecue is the perfect way to spend a Sunday. Beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, whatever your drink of choice, make sure you have it. It is convenient to set up an outdoor ‘bar’ for bigger gatherings so people don’t have to traipse to and from the house to refill their drinks.
If you regularly host large gatherings at your home, you have probably learned that asking guests to bring their own drinks is a much better option than trying to guess what your guests will drink. Not only will you waste your money, but you will be left with alcohol that you don’t drink, which is going to take up the vital storage that you need for the drinks that you do want to buy. So, bringing your own bottle is definitely the way forward. Just remember to ask the younger generation among you to order fake id if they want any chance of being served. Otherwise, they may just have to stick with the mocktails (which definitely isn’t a bad thing). When it comes to organizing your drinks, it can be as simple as a table with a few glasses displayed, an ice bucket, and/or a cooler box to store ice and keep things chilled. If you want to get fancy, you could even chop fresh varietals such as herbs, citrus, and berries to set up an artisanal gin-making station.
A Good Accompanying Sound Track
To enjoy your barbeque and create the perfect ambiance, you will need some good tunes. Nobody wants to be fussing with changing the song every few minutes so make sure you create a playlist or download one that suits the mood you are opting for. A long playlist will play away while you enjoy yourself, without distracting or bothering you. Some gentle background music will certainly add that auditory element of relaxation to your affair. Keep it simple with portable speakers or your outdoor sound system, depending on your setup. Also not too loud! This is a barbeque, not a party.
Comfortable Seating
Attending a barbeque where there is nowhere to sit and everyone is made to stand around for extended periods becoming uncomfortable, is not ideal. Make sure you have enough seating for the number of guests you have invited. You want your barbeque to welcome relaxation and unwinding, not discomfort or back pain. The same goes for weather. If the temperature starts to turn while you are outside barbequing, offer your guests some blankets, sweaters, or just huddle up. You don’t want anyone in attendance feeling cold and miserable.
Hosting the perfect barbeque does not need to be a complicated process. This joy-filled, often nostalgic gathering is the perfect relaxed and social way to enjoy the company of good friends or family while breaking bread together. We are going back to the basics, and looking at the key ingredients to hosting your perfect Sunday barbeque. Let’s get everyone salivating at the smell, thought, and sound of that sizzling grill. Hopefully, after reading this you are feeling well prepared (and excited) to host your outdoor do.
