Saturday, July 19, 2014

Creating The Best BBQ In San Diego

By Paulette Mason


Residents of California enjoy balmy, warm days and nights nearly all year long. That is what makes the best BBQ in San Diego such a popular social occasion. At its most simple, a barbecue is just meat grilled over hot charcoal and washed down with a beer or to and eaten outside.

A barbecue can involve just you and the family, or you can invite the entire neighborhood. These outdoor parties are often held in celebration of major summer holidays, from Memorial Day at the end of May, the Fourth of July and Labor Day in September. Birthdays and graduations are also popular occasions for an outdoor get-together.

Dad usually presides over the family barbecue, often dressed in a silly apron and a chef's hat. Sometimes, when the adults get involved in talking and drinking, the kids can take over the barbecue, kindly and deftly keeping everyone's plate topped up. This is safest after the flame has died down and the coals have developed a white, ashy coat. This is the perfect time to add the meat to the grill.

This is a brilliant time to try out different marinade recipes, from steak to chicken or even fish. I doesn't even need to be that complicated, simple hot dogs and hamburgers taste great when cooked outdoors. Of course, vegetarians and vegans can enjoy barbecue, too. Potatoes wrapped in foil and placed directly onto the coals taste wonderful. There are also lots of imaginative things that can be done by sticking vegetables, cheese cubes and other meat-free delicacies on a skewer and calling it a kebab.

No barbecue would be complete without a complement of salads. This is where granny's recipes for macaroni or potato salads really shine. Your own concoction for a tossed green salad dressing would be welcome here, too. If you have a garden, it is the perfect place to source your salad vegetables.

Garlic bread is another food that is best when made outdoors. Mix your finely chopped garlic with butter, low-fat spread or margarine early in the morning and allow the flavors to mingle. Slice baguettes lengthwise and then cut into individual portions, then slather with the garlic/butter mixture. Place butter side down on the grill and wait for the heavenly smells. Serve when lightly charred.

Appetites are huge when people are eating outdoors. This is especially true when people have been swimming, surfing or even just lazing on the beach all day. It is practically impossible to have too much food at a barbecue. Potato chips and dip and crudites make ideal snacks for the family while waiting for the meat to cook. People can get very impatient when the outdoor cooking smells start wafting around!

When everyone has stuffed themselves senseless with meat, bread and salads, that is the time to bring out the desserts. Ice cream, jello and fruit salad all go down well at the end of the day. Don't forget the s'mores, the campfire delights that consist of two squares of chocolate melting on either side of a toasted marshmallow and held together with graham crackers. Alcoholic beverages are optional. If you are drinking, make plenty of water and soft drinks available and try to stick to low-strength beers when the sun is at its hottest.




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