Freshen up your BBQ game this summer!

Are you and your friends bored of the usual sausages and burgers on the barbecue this summer? Why not try these fresh recipe ideas below, put together by Flogas Gaslight, a UK stockist of BBQ gas bottles:

Oriental grilled baby back ribs

This intensely flavoursome Asian recipe is a great option.

• 4 racks of baby back ribs 
• 6 cloves of garlic 
• 1 piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped coarsely 
• 1 tablespoon sugar 
• 1 tablespoon sea salt 
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 tablespoons honey 
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 

For the sauce: 

• 4 teaspoons sea salt 
• 2 teaspoons white pepper
• 4 limes halved

Recipe

Start by preparing and removing any pepper membrane. If you are using a large rack of ribs, cut in half and place flat in a Pyrex baking dish. Use a pestle and mortar, or food processor, to ground down the garlic, ginger, sugar, salt and black pepper. Slowly add the honey, soy, and fish sauce to the mixture, then cover both sides of the ribs. Cover and place in the fridge, allowing them to marinate for 1-4 hours. 

Prep your dipping sauce by mixing together four teaspoons of salt, four teaspoons of white pepper and the juice of the limes. When the BBQ is hot, place the ribs bone side down for 8-12 minutes per side. Cook until golden brown (this may require a little longer if you are using large ribs). You’ll know they’re cooked as the meat will have shrunk back from the ends of the bones by around ¼ inch. 

Lemon and lime chicken breast

Get a hit of citrus with a delicious barbecued chicken breast. Why not cook up a batch of sweet potato fries to enjoy this one with — the perfect alfresco dinner!

• 6 boneless chicken breasts 
• ½ cup brown sugar 
• ¼ cup cider vinegar 
• 3 tablespoons each lemon juice and lime juice
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Recipe

Inside a resealable bag, place the chicken ins and combine the ingredients. Allow the mixture to marinade overnight. Drain the remaining sauce (or keep it and use as a salad dressing!). On a preheated BBQ, grill the chicken at a medium – hot heat for 15-18 minutes, turning once and ensuring that the juices run clear before serving. 

Haloumi gyros and tzatziki 

This veggie option is a great option and the popular Greek cheese is a lovely choice for a BBQ! 

Gyros

• 200g haloumi cheese 
• 2 pieces pitta bread 
• 1 tomato 
• 2 cups rocket
• 1 baby brown onion 

Tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yoghurt 
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic 
• Lemon juice 
• Lemon zest 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• Pinch of salt/ black pepper 
• 1 cucumber, seedless, peeled and shredded. 

Recipe

Start by preparing the tzatziki. Add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well until combined. Season to your taste preferences. Cut the tomato and onion in half and slice finely, then put to one side. Cut the haloumi into centimetre thick slices, placing onto the BBQ at a medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes each side or until browned, then place the pittas onto the grate to warm gently for 30 seconds each side. Assemble the gyros with the haloumi and the tzatziki, adding the onion and tomato to garnish. 

Portobello mushroom burgers 

Top veggie alternative to a beef burger. 

• ¼ cup of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of olive oil divided
• 6 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar divided 
• 4 sliced red onions (cut ¼ inch thick)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 4 portobello mushroom caps 
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 brioche buns
• 4 lettuce leaves 
• 3 salad tomatoes 
• 4 ounces fresh vegetarian-friendly mozzarella cheese cut into rough slices

Recipe

Mix together red onion slices with a cup of oil and two tablespoons of vinegar in a plastic bag and then seal the bag so it can marinate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the garlic, basil and remaining oil, and brush the mixture over the mushrooms. Set these aside and add the remaining vinegar and honey into a small saucepan, allowing it to cook until thickened. 

While waiting, be sure to drain the marinade from the onions before coating a grill rack with a non-stick cooking spray. You should be heating up the BBQ at this point. Grill the mushrooms and onions for 10-12 minutes or until tender, turning frequently. Serve in brioche buns with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella, drizzling the left-over honey and balsamic sauce. 

Sesame steaks 

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 4 T-bone steaks (about 1-inch thick)

Recipe

Put the first seven ingredients into a resealable plastic bag mix them up thoroughly.  Place the steaks into the bag and coat with the mixture, seal and allow to marinade for 4 hours. Drain and discard the left-over marinade. On a preheated grate, cook the steaks on a medium heat for 5-7 minutes each side, or longer depending on preference. 

Superfood shrimp skewers

These health-conscious skewers can be seasoned to your taste preferences and work wonderfully alongside a fresh side salad! 

• 1 ½ lbs. of jumbo shrimps (with heads removed) 
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 1 large whole lime 
• 3 teaspoons sea salt 
• 3 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper 
• Metal skewers

Recipe

Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water. Then, drain and gently pat dry. Place the shrimp into a Pyrex dish and sprinkle with lime juice, adding a teaspoon each of salt and white pepper, mixing to coat. Marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes. 

Grab a separate bowl and mix together some sea salt and white pepper with the juiced lime. Heat the BBQ and brush the grate with oil. Place the shrimp onto the grate and grill, turning until the meat is pink. This should take about 2 minutes on each side. Use tongs to remove from the grill and place onto the skewers. Drizzle the sauce over and enjoy! 

BBQ turkey burgers 

Turkey doesn’t have to just be for Christmas with this brilliant recipe! 

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil (divided)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 12 ounces ground turkey
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 1 large tomato, sliced

Recipe

Combine mayonnaise and a tablespoon of basil in a mixing bowl. Cover and place into a fridge until serving. Apply non-stick cooking spray to your grate and preheat the grill. In another bowl, mix milk, onion, salt, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and the rest of the basil. Add the turkey and mix well, then mould the mixture into patties, placing onto the grill over an indirect medium heat. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, serving when the meat is no longer pink. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato and basil mayo. 

Citrus salmon and zesty salsa 

Salmon

• 1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons ground fresh coriander
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)

Salsa

• 3/4 cup pink grapefruit segments, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup orange segments, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ground fresh coriander
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Recipe 

Once you’ve mixed the first seven ingredients together in a resealable plastic bag, place them in refrigeration for three hours. In a small bowl, combine all of the salsa ingredients and mix well, then cover and keep cool until serving. Drain the marinade and coat your BBQ grate with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat and place the salmon skin side down on to the grill, cooking while covered at a medium heat for 15-20 minutes until a flaky texture is achieved. Drizzle the salsa over and enjoy. 

Chicken satay skewers 

Any fans of peanut butter will love this! Transform the humble chicken skewer with this one. 

Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon each ground coriander, ground turmeric and ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Satay

• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh coriander
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract

Flatten the chicken to ¼ inch thickness and cut it into one-iinch wide strips. Use a plastic bag to combine the milk, garlic, brown sugar, seasonings and extract. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and refrigerate overnight. 

Next, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until it is smooth. Then, cover and refrigerate until serving. Take the chicken mixture out and drain the marinade, then place the strips onto the skewers. Grill on a medium-hot heat, uncovered for 2-3 minutes on both sides or until the juices are clear. Serve with the satay sauce. 

Barbecued banana split

You don’t have to stick to savoury dishes on a BBQ. Why not give this charcoaled banana split a go?

• 4 bananas
• 20 giant milk chocolate buttons
• 8 pieces salted caramel fudge
• Vanilla ice cream, to serve
• Whipping cream, to serve
• 4 glacé cherries, to serve
• 2 tablespoon chopped mixed nuts, toasted

With the skin remaining on, slight the bananas from top to bottom. Place chocolate buttons and fudge in the gap, then wrap the bananas in foil. Ensure that the cut stays facing upwards, and place onto a preheated grate. Cook for 20-25 minutes, allowing the chocolate and fudge to melt. Allow to cool then remove from the foil, topping with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, cherry and toasted nuts. 

Barbecued figs with honey and cinnamon 

Another treat for those with a sweet tooth. This delight is also great for the health conscious too — with only 112 calories per serving! 

• 8 ripe figs, stems removed
• 3 tbsp clear honey
• 15g (½oz) salted butter, diced
• Ground cinnamon, to sprinkle
• Pistachio nuts, roughly chopped, to serve
• Ice cream or cream, to serve (optional)

Using a knife, cut a deep cross in each fig, stopping just before the base. Squeeze the base to make the figs open up (similar to a flower-shape). Place into a heatproof dish or foil tray and drizzle with honey. Add drops of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Place the dish or tray, away from direct heat, onto the barbecue and close the lid. Allow to cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened. After cooling, scatter the nuts and serve. 

Marshmallow & strawberry kebabs

For a simple option, this is a winner! (It’s even better when served with a salted caramel sauce)

• 20 marshmallows
• 16 strawberries
• 1 tin of Nestlé carnation caramel 
• Toasted hazelnuts or crumbled digestive biscuits to serve
  
  

Thread four skewers with four marshmallows and four chopped strawberries. Hold over the barbecue for 30 seconds on each side, or until the marshmallows are toasted. Stir the caramel in a bowl and add a pinch of salt, then drizzle over lightly adding the nuts of biscuit as a delicious extra. 

It’s easy to see that there’s a lot more to the standard BBQ than just plain old burgers and sausages. Which one of these recipes will you be trying first?

Love Lilla xx