Cooking on a BBQ Can Make Your Food Taste Better – Here’s Why:

by | May 12, 2022 | Cooking tips

How to cook ribs – The best way to make delicious ribs

There’s something about cooking on a BBQ that just makes food taste better. Maybe it’s the smoky flavor that you can’t get from other cooking methods, or maybe it’s the fun and social atmosphere of cooking outdoors. Whatever the reason, BBQs are a popular way to cook food for summertime events like barbeques and picnics.

But why does everything taste better when cooked on a BBQ?

Cooking your meat on the BBQ changes the way food tastes and gives your meat (or vegetables) a totally different flavour than many other cooking methods. But why does this happen?

Cooking on a BBQ changes more than just the taste, it engages your senses…

Sound

The sound of sizzling meat on the bbq is one that is pleasing to the ear.

Sight

Chargrilled food doesn’t just make food taste great, it also makes it look more appetising.

Smell

We all love the smell of our food cooking, but cooking on a bbq takes this smell to new heights. We all know that feeling when our neighbours are barbequing and you just can’t resist lighting up your own too.

Touch

Cooking meat on a bbq changes the texture of food, it makes chicken skin crispier and gives you a beautiful caramalised texture on your steak.

Taste

Food that has been barbequed has a unique and delicious flavour, it’s totally different from any other way of cooking.

When you barbeque food, the type of fuel you use can significantly change the flavour of the meat. The charcoal and heat produce smoke that flavours your meat, so if you want to get really into your barbequing you could experiment with different fuels for your BBQ.

The heat of your BBQ will also change the taste and texture, too hot and your meat will burn, not hot enough and it will take a long time to cook your meat. Ideally, the charcoal should be coated in white ash before you start cooking. The cut of your meat also plays a part. Prime cuts are best suited to fast, direct cooking. But cheaper cuts are better served from slow, indirect cooking.

Healthier food

You might think that food that tastes so good couldn’t possibly be a healthy way to cook, but it really is. When you bbq you;

Cook out the fat – The high temperature of the bbq and the fact that the food is elevated means that the fat melts and drips out. But the bbq flavour means that food retains its tender texture and a beautiful flavour.

You use less oils and flavouring – Barbequing naturally flavours meat, meaning that you don’t need all the fancy flavours and oils that are required in everyday cooking. That’s not to say you shouldn’t indulge in our variety of flavoured bbq meats on offer!!

So now that you know all about the benefits of cooking on a BBQ, why not give it a try yourself? You might just be surprised at how much better your food tastes.

How to Cook Ribs – The Best Way to Make Delicious Ribs

How to Cook Ribs – The Best Way to Make Delicious Ribs

by | Apr 27, 2022 | Cooking tips

How to cook ribs – The best way to make delicious ribs

Ribs a flavourful cut with a whole host of flavour possibilities! There are two main types of rib – spare ribs and baby back ribs. Spare ribs are cut from the belly section and baby back is cut from the loin. Spare ribs are bigger and as such, will require a longer cooking time than baby back.

Ribs are best when they are marinated at least a day before cooking. Whether you are using a dry rub or marinade, adding this flavour the day before will ensure your ribs will absorb as much flavour as possible (or you can buy them flavoured from us!). Around 30 minutes before you plan to cook your ribs, you should remove them from the fridge so that they get to room temperature.

It is recommended that pork is cooked around 145°F, but in order to get the most succulent ribs, you need to cook pork ribs to around 190°F to 200°F. This breaks down fat and collagen, resulting in a tender finished texture. Investing in a meat thermometer will help you cook your ribs to perfection.

Oven Cook

The best way to oven cook your ribs is to place them on a baking tray, cover them with foil and cook them slowly. This allows the ribs to baste in their own juices, resulting in fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Cooking your ribs at around 275°F for approximately three to four hours will result in tender, tasty ribs.

BBQ

Alternatively, now that the weather is hotting up, you can cook your ribs on the BBQ. Whether you have a traditional bbq and cook on the coals or you have a gas bbq, you can make tasty ribs, just as easily as in the oven – and you get to spend time in the great outdoors (fingers crossed for the weather).

The same rules apply regarding the marinade/dry rub and removing them from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking. Then, simply wrap your ribs in foil and place them onto your grill. Your ribs should take around 1 hour at around 350°F – 400°F. After an hour, remove the foil and place the ribs directly on the grill for a further 10-15 minutes. Brush on the remainder of your marinade and let the grill finish off your ribs and pack them full of flavour.

Ribs are best when they are marinated at least a day before cooking. Whether you are using a dry rub or marinade, adding this flavour the day before will ensure your ribs will absorb as much flavour as possible (or you can buy them flavoured from us!). Around 30 minutes before you plan to cook your ribs, you should remove them from the fridge so that they get to room temperature.

It is recommended that pork is cooked around 145°F, but in order to get the most succulent ribs, you need to cook pork ribs to around 190°F to 200°F. This breaks down fat and collagen, resulting in a tender finished texture. Investing in a meat thermometer will help you cook your ribs to perfection.

Oven Cook

The best way to oven cook your ribs is to place them on a baking tray, cover them with foil and cook them slowly. This allows the ribs to baste in their own juices, resulting in fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Cooking your ribs at around 275°F for approximately three to four hours will result in tender, tasty ribs.

BBQ

Alternatively, now that the weather is hotting up, you can cook your ribs on the BBQ. Whether you have a traditional bbq and cook on the coals or you have a gas bbq, you can make tasty ribs, just as easily as in the oven – and you get to spend time in the great outdoors (fingers crossed for the weather).

The same rules apply regarding the marinade/dry rub and removing them from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking. Then, simply wrap your ribs in foil and place them onto your grill. Your ribs should take around 1 hour at around 350°F – 400°F. After an hour, remove the foil and place the ribs directly on the grill for a further 10-15 minutes. Brush on the remainder of your marinade and let the grill finish off your ribs and pack them full of flavour.

Recipes Ideas for Your Christmas Leftovers

by | Dec 16, 2021 | Christmas, Cooking tips, Recipes

Recipes Ideas for Your
Christmas Leftovers

Christmas is a time of celebration and food is often the main event. But what do you do with all the leftovers? There are lots of different options to use up your Christmas dinner leftovers like bubble and squeak, turkey and ham pie, or turkey curry. Plus it’s an opportunity to try new dishes you might not have tried before!

Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and squeak is a simple recipe that combines most, if not all of your Christmas day leftovers.  It’s an English classic that is simple to make.

For Christmas bubble and squeak you will need:

  • Mash potato
  • Roast potato
  • Any or all of your leftover veg
  • Turkey

Simply mash the ingredients together, you can use as much or as little as you need – depending on how many people you are feeding. Fry your mixture until it’s crispy on the outside and cooked through. Serve with a fried or poached egg or just with your leftover gravy.

Turkey and Ham Pie

Using leftover turkey and ham in this pie creates a beautiful boxing day meal. Add a ready-made shortcrust or puff pastry to your pre-Christmas shop in preparation for your pie. You will need;

  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • 1 Large onion
  • 2 Garlic cloves
  • 250g Leftover turkey, shredded
  • 250g Leftover ham, shredded
  • 175ml dry white wine
  • Sage
  • 3tbsp double cream
  • 150ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Handful of parsley
  • Plain flour for dusting
  • 375g shortcrust or puff pastry
  • 1 egg, beaten

Simply heat the oil and butter and gently fry the onion for 10 mins. Add the garlic, turkey and ham – fry for a further 2 minutes. Add the white wine and reduce by half, then stir in sage, double cream, stock and mustard. Cook for 3-4 minutes and add the lemon juice to taste. Stir in the parsley, pour into an oven-proof dish and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Prepare the pastry and place it on top of the pie, brush with the egg glaze and bake for 30-40 minutes.

Turkey curry

Turkey curry is a leftover favourite for many Brits! You can keep it simple by purchasing a jar of curry sauce in your pre-Christmas shop, or go all out with a curry from scratch. This Turkey Tikka is fantastic! All you need is;

  • Oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • Thumb sized piece of ginger, grated
  • 1 red chill
  • i, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 400g chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp mango chutney
  • 100 ml double cream
  • 2 tbsp natural yogurt
  • 600g leftover turkey
  • chopped coriander

Heat the oil over medium heat and fry the onions for 10-12 mins, stir in garlic, ginger, chilli and all the spices and cook for 2 mins. Stir in the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and mango chutney. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the cream and yogurt, add the turkey and simmer until the turkey is piping hot. Scatter over some coriander and flaked almonds if desired and serve with rice and naan bread.

Leftover Turkey Sandwiches

A leftover turkey Christmas sandwich has the potential to be a fantastic boxing day treat! Here’s what you need to create THE BEST boxing day sandwich;

  • Crusty white loaf
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp English mustard
  • 3-4 tbsp cranberry sauce
  • Baby spinach
  • 3-4 tbsp crispy onions
  • 250g leftover turkey
  • 6 leftover pigs in blankets, halved lengthways
  • 150g leftover stuffing

Cut two chunky slices of bread, combine the mayo and mustard and spread over one side of the loaf. Spoon the cranberry sauce on, add the spinach, onions, turkey, pigs in blankets and the stuffing – top with the other slice of bread and enjoy. This recipe should serve around 4 people.

Christmas dinner tips

by | Nov 24, 2021 | Christmas, Cooking tips, Uncategorized

Make your Christmas special with these Christmas dinner tips

Christmas is a time for gathering together and eating. It’s also a time when we get to show off our cooking skills and impress the family with some delicious dishes and tempting treats. We’ll walk you through how to get it right so that it tastes perfect this Christmas day.

The main event

Prepping and cooking your turkey is one of the most important parts of Christmas dinner. Preparation is key to cooking the perfect turkey;

• The golden rule – take your turkey out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature before cooking for at least an hour. Preheat your oven to 220C/Gas 7.

• Cut an onion into 4-6 pieces, half or quarter oranges and clementines and insert into the cavity along with a few sprigs of rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and garlic.

• Season generously with salt and pepper and arrange any remaining onion and rosemary around the bird.

• Turn the turkey upside down while cooking, this allows the fat to drip down and baste the breasts.

• Roast for 20-30 minutes then reduce the heat to 170C/Gas 3 and bake. Cooking time will depend on the weight of your uncooked bird (20 mins per kilo, plus 90mins).

• Check the temperature with a meat thermometer (internal temp should be 70C) or push a skewer into the thickest part – juices should run clear. If they are pinkish, cook for a further 15 mins and check again.

• Flip the bird and roast to brown the breasts, increase the temperature to 220C/Gas 7 and roast for 20 mins or until golden brown.

• Allow the meat to rest before carving.

TIP: Use the juices to create a delicious flavourful gravy (or buy some of ours!)!

Roast Potatoes

To cook the perfect roasties;

• preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6, put 5 tbsp of goose fat into a roasting tin, and put it in the oven.

• Peel and chop potatoes into even chunks then put in a large saucepan with cold water, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes or until tender around the edges.

• Drain them and return to the pan, put the lid on and give the pan a good shake, remove the lid and leave for a few minutes.

• Take the roasting tin out of the oven and then carefully transfer the potatoes into the fat, coating each one on all sides. Roast for 45-55 minutes, turning a couple of times during cooking.

TIP: You can use vegetable oil if you don’t want to use goose fat

Love them or hate them -they are a Christmas must

Brussel sprouts are usually on our Christmas dinners, but do we really know how to cook them well? Contrary to popular belief, cutting crosses on the bottom of sprouts is a waste of time – don’t do it.

• Your sprouts should be the last thing you cook – boil salted water for 5-6 minutes, depending on the size

• Drain, toss in 25g butter, season and serve immediately.

• OR, once boiled, stir-fry the sprouts with lardons of bacon until the bacon is crisp.

Prep your vegetables on Christmas eve, this will ensure you are less stressed on the big day! Peel, chop and wash your veg so that you can focus on the main event on Christmas day – the turkey.

We all have different opinions when it comes to what should be next to our turkey, but I think most of us can agree that pigs in blankets are a must (Don’t forget to add them to your order with us)!

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