Is there such a thing as a barbecuist? A combination of enthusiast and barbecue? We briefly toyed with the possibility of becoming regular users. When our old barbecue died, we set off to look at modern barbies “about the same size as a Mini but came home with one the size of an onboard trolley case”, the husband quipped. It is not often used. Our house design, lifestyle and eating habits just run on a different course, rarely accommodating the barbecue. But I know others who barbecue most days, certainly through the warmer months. If you are an enthusiast, this may be the book for you. Despite being American, there is a wealth of ideas and flavours going well beyond the boring staples of steak, sausages or meat patties.
Chapters cover the usual suspects – fish, shellfish, lamb, poultry, beef and pork with the mandatory chapter on vegetarian options. Honestly, vegetarians are not likely to be keen enough to buy a book of barbecue recipes but if you are catering for a group, some non meat options are helpful. The format is the main recipe (most with a photo) such as Hot and Sticky Summertime Chicken followed by four differently flavoured options. There are apparently 500 recipes and variants in all. Ingredients are store cupboard standards with nothing too out there or difficult to source though some fish will need to subbed because we have different options here.
Modern barbecues are multi purpose cooking appliances with a versatility that goes well beyond a mere hot plate, often with a price tag to match. This little hardback book may be just the ticket to extending the repertoire of food options to justify the expenditure. Family and friends will notice and enjoy the variety.
500 BBQ Bites by Paul Kirk (New Holland; ISBN: 9781741107203) reviewed by Abbie Jury.
First published in the Waikato Times and reprinted here with their permission.



