Are you bored of the same old veggie burger or vegan sausage in a bun? Get some lovely colourful fresh veggies on your BBQ or try a bit of tofu to liven up your next grill session. You can BBQ most veggies! Let Sam, Head of the Vegetarian Society Cookery School, give you some top tips on how to get the most out of your BBQ:
- When grilling veggies, just prepare them as usual – remove seeds, slice off the ends and peel.
- Toss the veg in oil before grilling to help prevent them from sticking to the bars. Remember to season with salt and pepper before you grill!
- Try boosting the flavours by adding a spice or herb mix to the oil before grilling. One of Sam’s favourites is suya spice blend, a warming West African blend that is simply delicious on grilled veg.
- Skewering smaller pieces together into a kebab is a good way to stop them falling through the bars.
- Know your grill- most BBQs will have hotter and cooler spots, find out where these are by taking note of how long things take to cook in different areas.
- Get the cooking time right- softer veg like aubergine and peppers will take a shorter amount of time than sweet potatoes. Look to sear longer cooking veg on the hot areas of your grill then move to cooler spots to cook through. Other smaller or thinner veg like asparagus will only take a few minutes.
- Don’t be tempted to turn veg over too quickly. Put it on the grill then leave alone for 3-4 minutes to colour up with beautiful charred bar marks, before turning and doing the same on the other side. You can then turn more regularly if needed until cooked through.
- If you need a break from the grill, try wrapping larger veg in foil before putting on the grill, this will stop them from burning and help them cook through evenly. Try adding a knob of garlic butter into the foil packet. This works brilliantly for sweet potatoes and corn on the cob.
- Dress veg once it’s off the grill with zingy herb dressings like chimi churi.
- Once your veg is cooked, pile it high on a bun with sauces or toss it through pasta salad, dressed quinoa or crunchy mixed salads.
- Have exciting sauces and dressings to hand. The difference between a mediocre BBQ and an amazing one is often the sides and sauces!
- Don’t forget the protein! Try a grillable cheese like veggie halloumi or paneer. Remember to oil it first. Or oil and spice thick slices of tofu and grill until lightly charred.
- BBQ’s can be for desserts too! BBQ bananas only take a few minutes and are amazing with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop if ice cream. Pineapple and thick mango slices work well too. Try sprinkling a few chilli flakes on just before serving for a tropical treat!
If you liked these tips, check out our online cookery classes for more helpful cooking hints and delicious recipes.
