7 mouth-watering BBQ recipes to heat up your winter nights
As the days grow shorter and the nights colder, the promise of a warm grill and good company becomes irresistible. Winter may cool the air, but a good BBQ can warm the heart and the appetite in the most delicious way. The chills of the season almost seem to demand the smoke billowing out of a grill with a group of people standing around it, drawn by its warmth and, of course, delectable offerings. You could simply buy some burgers and hot dogs, invite some friends over, and call it a BBQ party, or you could go a little further with some essential preparation and a carefully considered menu and surprise your guests with your culinary prowess.
The following are some tried-and-tested recipes to make your next family-friendly BBQ truly memorable.
BBQ MUTTON RIBS
Ingredients
500g mutton ribs
2 tbsp papaya paste
1 tbsp red chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp BBQ masala
1 tsp all-spice powder
½ tsp crushed black pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
4-5 tsp oil
Salt to taste
Method
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients, except the mutton ribs. Make a thick paste. Put it on the ribs and mix well. Cover and keep aside for 3-4 hours. Heat your griller to high. Place the ribs on the grill and cook until tender, golden brown and slightly charred, 7-8 minutes. Turn the ribs over and continue to grill 5-6 minutes for medium-rare (an internal temperature of 135° F).
When done, transfer to a plate and serve hot.
GRILLED BEEF STEAKS
Ingredients
4 rib-eye steaks
½ cup oil
6 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper
1 tbsp crushed dried rosemary
3 tbsp steak sauce
Method
Combine oil, soy sauce, garlic, onion, pepper, salt, rosemary, and steak sauce in a food processor. Process until well blended. Prick steaks on both sides with a fork, and place in a shallow container with a lid. Pour marinade over steaks, cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat. Remove steaks from marinade, and discard the marinade. Lightly oil the grilling surface, and place steaks on the grill. Cover and grill the steaks for about 10 minutes on each side, or to your desired degree of doneness.
CHICKEN TANDOORI
Ingredients
1 chicken
1 tbsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp red chilli powder
1 tsp almond paste
1 tsp kabab masala
¼ cup yoghurt
3 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste
Method
Cut the chicken into four pieces. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients with the chicken, cover and refrigerate for at least three hours. Preheat the grill. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers and brush oil over them. Grill for 15 minutes or until cooked properly. Turn frequently while grilling.
BBQ PROMFRET
Ingredients
300g pomfret (clean and put some deep slits on both sides)
1 tsp chilli powder
A pinch of homemade dry herb powder
½ tsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
½ tsp garam masala
¼ tsp coriander powder
¼ tsp cumin powder
5-6 curry leaves
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Method
Mix spice powders, ginger-garlic paste, and salt. Add lemon juice to make a paste. Cut the curry leaves into two and add them to the paste (do not make a paste of curry leaves). Apply this to the fish. Keep aside for at least 1 hour.
Heat the charcoal and grill the fish until it is cooked.
LIVER BOTI KEBAB
Ingredients
500g liver (either beef or mutton)
1 tbsp ginger paste
½ tsp garlic paste
1 tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp papaya paste
½ tsp kebab masala
½ tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
3 tbsp mustard oil
Salt to taste
Method
Cut the liver into cubes/dices, not more than 1-inch. Combine all ingredients with the liver. Toss well, coating with the marinade properly. Cover and rest them for 3-4 hours or let them refrigerate overnight. Heat the grill to medium. Thread the liver onto a skewer and cook for about 15 minutes or until cooked, spreading the leftover marinade occasionally.
SPICY GRILLED SHRIMP
Ingredients
500g shrimps, peeled and deveined
1 large clove of garlic
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Method
Preheat the grill for medium heat. In a small bowl, crush the garlic with the salt. Mix in pepper and paprika, stir in olive oil and lemon juice to form a paste. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with garlic paste until evenly coated. Lightly oil the grilling grate. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until opaque. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with lemon wedges and serve.
GRILLED MUSHROOM SKEWERS
Ingredients
500g mushrooms, sliced ¼-inch thick
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tsp soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp thyme, chopped
1 tsp black pepper powder
Salt to taste
Method
Marinate the mushrooms in the mixture for 30 minutes. Skewer the mushrooms and grill over medium-high heat until just tender and slightly charred, about 2-3 minutes per side