Celebrate National Barbecue Week: The Joy of Grilling and Barbecue

As the aroma of sizzling meats and charred vegetables wafts through the air, it can only mean one thing: National Barbecue Week is upon us! 

This beloved annual event is the perfect excuse to fire up the grill, gather loved ones, and indulge in the quintessential summer experience. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a novice griller, there’s something magical about cooking outdoors that brings people together. So, let’s don our aprons, sharpen our tongs, and delve into the delightful world of grilling and barbecue, British style.

The Great British Barbecue: A Tradition of Togetherness

In Britain, barbecuing is more than just a method of cooking; it's a cherished social activity that epitomises the essence of summer. From lush garden parties to beachside cookouts, the barbecue is a staple of our outdoor gatherings. The beauty of barbecuing lies in its simplicity: a warm summer day, good company, and delicious food. It’s an opportunity to unwind, share stories, and create lasting memories.

Grilling vs. Barbecue: What’s the Difference?

Before we get into tips and recipes, let’s clear up a common misconception: the difference between grilling and barbecue. In Britain, the terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to distinct cooking methods.

Grilling: This involves cooking food quickly at high temperatures directly over the heat source. It’s perfect for sausages, burgers, steaks, and vegetables.

Barbecue: This refers to cooking food slowly over indirect heat, often with the addition of wood smoke for flavour. It’s ideal for larger cuts of meat like ribs, brisket, and pork shoulders, which benefit from the low-and-slow cooking process.

Essential Equipment for a Successful Barbecue

To ensure your barbecue is a roaring success, it’s crucial to have the right equipment. Here’s a checklist of must-have items for any British barbecuer:

Barbecue Grill: Whether you prefer a charcoal grill for that authentic smoky flavour or a gas grill for convenience, make sure it’s sturdy and reliable.

Charcoal or Gas: Charcoal adds a distinct taste to your food, while gas provides better temperature control. Choose based on your preference and experience.

Grill Tools: Invest in a good set of tongs, a spatula, a basting brush, and a meat thermometer. These tools will make your grilling experience smoother and safer.

Fuel and Fire Starters: For charcoal grills, have a bag of high-quality charcoal and some natural fire starters on hand. For gas grills, ensure your propane tank is full.

Cleaning Supplies: A wire brush for cleaning the grill grates, and some soapy water for wiping down surfaces, will keep your barbecue in top shape.

Tips for Perfect Grilling

Preheat Your Grill: Always preheat your grill for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps prevent food from sticking.

Oil the Grates: Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking and achieve those beautiful grill marks.

Marinate and Season: Marinate meats for at least a few hours to enhance flavour and tenderness. Season generously with salt and pepper just before grilling.

Monitor the Heat: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Here are some general guidelines:

Beef steaks: Medium-rare at 55°C (130°F), medium at 60°C (140°F)

Chicken: 74°C (165°F)

Pork: 63°C (145°F)

Fish: 60°C (140°F)

Let It Rest: Allow grilled meats to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps retain juices and enhances flavour.

Mouth-Watering Recipes to Try

To help you get started, here are a few classic British barbecue recipes:

1. Barbecued Chicken Drumsticks

Ingredients: Chicken drumsticks, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary.

Method: Marinate the drumsticks in a mixture of olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary for at least 2 hours. Grill over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

2. Classic Beef Burgers

Ingredients: Minced beef, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.

Method: Mix minced beef with finely chopped onion, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Shape into patties and grill over high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked to your liking.

3. Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Ingredients: Bell peppers, courgettes, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Method: Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Thread onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat until tender and slightly charred.

Celebrate Safely

While enjoying your barbecue, remember to follow safety guidelines:

Keep a spray bottle of water nearby to manage flare-ups.

Never leave the grill unattended.

Ensure your grill is placed on a stable, non-flammable surface away from any structures or overhanging branches.

Conclusion

National Barbecue Week is a fantastic opportunity to embrace the joys of outdoor cooking. Whether you’re grilling up a quick weekday meal or embarking on an all-day barbecue adventure, the key is to enjoy the process and savour the flavours. So, gather your friends and family, fire up the grill, and celebrate the great British barbecue tradition. Happy grilling!

And don't forget your Tracklement sauces, mustards and dips! But especially look out for their new Special Edition zingy burger sauce! 

https://www.tracklements.co.uk/product/special-edition-zingy-burger-sauce-290g

Tracklements Special Edition Zingy Burger Sauce

The latest addition to the Tracklements artisan, planet-friendly range of condiments will make firing up your barbecue well worth the effort for friends and family whether they’re vegan, pescatarian or meat eaters.

Take your burgers from ho-hum to holy moly this National Barbecue Week!

Wanting something to give your sausages, burgers, steaks and vegan delights a bit of a boost? Then you and your guests will find their taste buds well and truly tantalised delight in this vegan, gluten free delight.

Because new Special Edition Zingy Burger Sauce is a chef-level burger sauce approved by famous  restaurateur and top chef Mark Hix. 

It has carefully combined levels of lemon juice, mustard, turmeric, black pepper, allspice and chillies, offering you the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

It's designed to do justice to bangers, burgers, hot fogs, kebabs, halloumi burgers, flame-grilled vegies and a whole lot more!

In 1970, William Tullberg made the first British wholegrain mustard. 54 years on William’s son, Guy, carries on his legacy. However, the single variety of mustard has grown into eight varieties and in excess of 50 award-winning chutneys, relishes and sauces.

Their products are at home in the kitchen store cupboard and in the kitchens of celebrity chefs. And since 1970 when it was founded by William Tullberg (now operated by his son, Guy, they range of mustards sauces and relishes are still handmade using locally sauced high quality ingredients (when possible) in Wiltshire. 

As good as homemade? Yes and sometimes better because dob't forget, they have had the recipes for 54 years!

And it's a B Corp accredited business, too.

Tracklements Special Edition Zingy Burger Sauce RRP £4.10 for 290g, is available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.

www.tracklements.co.uk @tracklements #tastytracklements

Tracklements NEW vegan and gluten free Special Edition Chimichurri Chilli Relish

The latest addition to the Tracklements range of artisan condiments is the NEW Special Edition Chimichurri Chilli  Relish. 

A popular, green sauce originating in Argentina and Uruguay, this is a veritable flavour fiesta of coriander, oregano, parsley, garlic and lemon juice. 

And as if that’s not enough, Bird’s Eye Chillies are introduced to get the party started on pretty much everything this cheeky relish touches. 

Traditionalists may say it should be reserved for complementing the richness of churrasco, grilled or barbecued meat, but, in the opinion of those whjo are in the know, it deserves a seat at any table. 

All at once aromatic, herby, citrusy, tart and garlicky with a delicious chilli kick, this versatile relish makes a wonderful and superb addition to a wide variety of dishes, plus it makes an absolutely excellent cooking ingredient and table condiment, too! When does its  goodness end? 

It doesn’t.

Chimichurri Chilli Relish gives an herbaceous kick both spooned on to a BBQ steak or drizzled over chicken, fish and mixed veg (oven or fire prepped). It’s an exciting dipper for a double-fried chunky chip, ideal for loading into a grilled halloumi wrap, and satisfies all lovers of a Sunday roast leftovers sandwich. It also makes an  elaborate foil for ceviche and adds a burst of fresh zesty flavour to sliced tomatoes or liberally spread (don’t be  shy!) on warm bruschetta. 

It won’t be around for long, so get it while it’s hot! 

Back in 1970, William Tullberg made the first British wholegrain mustard. 50 years on William’s son, Guy, carries  on his legacy. However, that one mustard has matured into eight varieties and over 40 delicious award-winning chutneys, relishes and sauces.  

A store cupboard hero for both celebrity chefs and home cooks, the range is still handmade in the green heart of  Wiltshire, abiding to traditional recipes, with an underpinning principle to buy only the best quality ingredients which they only source locally wherever possible to ensure the products taste as good as, if not better than, homemade. 

B Corp accredited Tracklements believe in business as a force for good, protecting the environment as they go.  They’re committed to make the most planet-friendly condiments you can buy minimising their environmental  footprint through using recyclable packaging, their own water treatment facility, and over 10,000 square feet of  solar panels, supplemented by 100% renewable electricity generated by wind and/or hydro assets. And they don’t shy away from wonky veg either! 

Tracklements Special Edition Chimichurri Chilli Relish RRP £4.10 for 170g, is available from fine food delis and  farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.  

More delicious and special hot sauces from Tracklements

Building on the success of the wildly popular Fresh Chilli Jam the latest, steamy offerings from Tracklements are the following:-

Tracklements Rocket Hot Sauce

Made with a fiery combination of Bird’s Eye and Scotch Bonnet chillies, this vegan potent potion is a shot of molten lava for burgers, tacos, pizzas, curries, falafels and fajitas. It’s superlatively moreish on pretty much everything.

Tracklements Sriracha Chilli Sauce

Not all sriracha sauces are made equal! Tracklements take whole fresno chillies (for a fruitier flavour), chop and ferment them on site to make the base for their Sriracha which is what sets it apart from the competition. Made to a traditional recipe, a dash of fish sauce is added for an authentic tongue-tingling tang and intense heat.

Splash on to cheese on toast, egg fried rice, corn fritters, pho, spring rolls, meat, fish or mix into mayo for a delicious chippy dip. There’s nothing that can’t be brought to life with this sauce, the zhushing up possibilities are endless!

Tracklements Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce

This smokin’ hot sauce made with red chillies (for poke), smoked Chipotle chillies (for smokiness) and Scotch Bonnet chillies (just for fun!) tastes sweet, smoky and spicey. Barbecues will wonder what they’ve been missing.

It makes meats sizzle with suspense, veg explode with va-va -oom and tofu tingle with joy.

Add to pulled pork, hot dawgs, veg kebabs and jackfruit in any form. It’s also utterly fabulous with the quick and easy traditional Mexican brunch favourite - huevos rancheros – fried eggs, served on corn chips and smothered with warm, spicey salsa. Si por favor!

Tracklements Rocket Hot Sauce, Tracklements Sriracha Chilli Sauce and Tracklements Smokin’ Chipotle Sauce RRP £3.50 for 150ml each are available individually from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk. But it’s well worth buying all three to have in easy reach to deliver a quick flavour packed punch to make a myriad of every day dishes, dressings, dips and marinades go from fine to fabulous, in just a few shakes!

Back in 1970, William Tullberg made the first British wholegrain mustard. 50 years on William’s son, Guy, carries on his legacy. However, that one mustard has matured into eight varieties and over 40 award-winning chutneys, relishes and sauces.

A store cupboard hero for both celebrity chefs and home cooks, the range is still handmade in the green heart of Wiltshire, abiding to traditional recipes, with an underpinning principle to buy the best quality ingredients sourced locally wherever possible to ensure the products taste as good as, if not better than, homemade.

B Corp accredited Tracklements believe in business as a force for good, protecting the environment as they go.

They’re committed to make the most planet-friendly condiments you can buy minimising their environmental footprint through using recyclable packaging, their own water treatment facility, and over 10,000 square feet of solar panels, supplemented by 100% renewable electricity generated by wind and/or hydro assets. And they don’t shy away from wonky veg either!

www.tracklements.co.uk.

New Tracklements Special Edition Wild Garlic Sauce Vegetarian and gluten free

It's all very well families up and down the country crafting great Coronation parties and feasts, with wonderous pies, fresh sandwiches, cheese and charcuterie boards, but what are you going to serve them with? Fortunately the fine folks at Tracklements have come up with something very special, indeed.

 New Tracklements Special Edition Wild Garlic Sauce Vegetarian and gluten free, RRP £3.75 for 170g from fine food delis.

Best picked young before the delicate white flowers appear, the vibrant broad green leaves of wild garlic can be found in abundance across the UK from March to May. It’s an extremely versatile little plant, but for those of us not up to foraging in damp woodlands and hedgerows, you’ll be pleased to learn of Tracklements latest Special Edition - NEW vegetarian and gluten free Wild Garlic Sauce.

Wild garlic has quite a different flavour to the bulb and is less pungent than you might expect given its garlicky, yet pleasing, aroma.

Tracklements Special Edition Wild Garlic Sauce is a careful balance of delicate wild garlic, hand-picked in the beautiful Wiltshire woodlands, honey and mustard. While the perfect partner for pork tenderloin, hot smoked trout or pan-fried Pollock, this little jar has a lot more to give.

Drizzle Wild Garlic Sauce over steak, chicken, roasted vegetables, omelettes, scrambled eggs and tortillas or stir into a potato salad. It’s also rather good mixed through mayonnaise or crème fraiche for a dip, or salted butter for a tasty little surprise on toast to accompany a bowl of soup.

And this lively jar just keeps on giving; use as a dressing for salads (thicken with Greek yogurt if you fancy), dress an insalata tricolore, or even use as a marinade.

Back in 1970, William Tullberg made the first British wholegrain mustard. 50 years on William’s son, Guy, carries on his legacy. However, that one mustard has matured into eight varieties and over 40 award-winning chutneys, relishes and sauces.

A store cupboard hero for both celebrity chefs and home cooks, the range is still handmade in the green heart of Wiltshire, abiding to traditional recipes, with an underpinning principle to buy the best quality ingredients sourced locally wherever possible to ensure the products taste as good as, if not better than, homemade.

B Corp accredited Tracklements believe in business as a force for good, protecting the environment as they go. They’re committed to make the most planet-friendly condiments you can buy minimising their environmental footprint through using recyclable packaging, their own water treatment facility, and over 10,000 square feet of solar panels, supplemented by 100% renewable electricity generated by wind and/or hydro assets. And they don’t shy away from wonky veg either!

Tracklements Special Edition Wild Garlic Sauce RRP £3.75 for 170g, is available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at www.tracklements.co.uk.

Actually, going out for walks with my wife is a great pleasure. And part of that pleasure derives, in season, with the evocative aroma of wild garlic.