The barbecue season of 2009 has started!

This weekend with the family we got the garden furniture out in the garden again. All under the sun. Our first barbecue meal was marinated duck breasts with taboulet. See hereunder for a photo safari!

This time of the year is also the moment of reminding ourselves of all the BBQ tips that makes our life easier!

 The first 2009 BBQ meal in the garden

We did actually cheat a little this time by buying ready marinated duck breasts (Mexican style).

I cross cut the thick fat side so it looked like a Scottish skirt. 2 centimeters between each inscision, that opens up so that the fat melts away quicker and so that the heat can cook the meat.

Once the BBQ or barbecue if you wish, ready (well light or started with our Electric Charcoal Starter!), I put them on the grill with the fat side down.

Almost immediately the flames fires up because of the melting fat, so it was time to get the lid on. 

This way the meat is cooking at high temperature without getting burned by the flames despite the massive quantities of fat melting away. Once the lid on, the oxygen is hindered from entering and the smokegaz suffocates the flames. Oh boy, it smoking out the chimney!

After some 8 minutes I turned the duck breastes on the other side, then without the lid. As we put on the salt BEFORE in good quantity, this gives a salty almost crunchy feeling when eating the meat. At the end, 2 minutes with lid, but aside of the glowing charcoal. This is indirect cooking. 

Of course, there are as many perfect cooking times as there are BBQ enthusiasts, so you should adjust cooking time according to your preferences!

Just before serving, I cut off the burned fat (only 2 mm left!), and then I sliced the duck breasts in fine slices. Than I wrapped it all in aluminium paper to keep warm until served!

Today's BBQ tips!

To keep your grill clean, I recommend to burnit clean. After (or before) cooking put it as close as possible to the glowing charcoal. the fat and other rests will burn to Carbon. Thereafter, by just scratching gently with your barbecue tools or a mettalic brush, the grill is clean!

To avoid flames when you do not want them on the BBQ or barbecue, either take away the source (often to much fat is dripping down on the glowing charcoal) or use a spray can with water to take down the flames.

Now it's time you light the Barbecue (BBQ)!

Susanna