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 be as simple as a few hotdogs cooked over an open grill for the family or it can be a major occasion. The summer months are punctuated with three traditional barbecue celebrations. These occur on Memorial Day in May, Independence Day in July and, finally, Labor Day, or International Workers Day, which is observed in early September.
The family barbecue traditionally features the culinary skills of the head of the household, or Dad, although anybody can learn. The secret lies in getting the black briquettes to light up and stay lit. A special lighter fluid is used to kick-start the action. The coals will flame brilliantly. When the flames die down, the briquettes develop a white ash coating. This is the perfect time to place the meat.
Barbecues make great "coming out" parties for those new marinade recipes you have been working on perfecting. Steak, chicken, fish, even vegetables can be marinated. Experiment with hot dogs and hamburgers for some low-budget family taste tests. There are few things better in this world than a potato wrapped in foil and then baked directly on the hot charcoals.
Salads are another feature on the barbecue menu. Tossed green salads, potato and pasta salads are familiar stalwarts. What a perfect way to show off your gardening skills. What could be better than freshly-picked tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes and peppers, eaten in the fresh, warm sea air.
Do you know what else tastes fab when cooked on the grill? Garlic bread. Take a baguette and slide it in half lengthwise and generously coat the cut side with butter, margarine or low-fat spread that has been mingling with fresh chopped garlic all day. Place the bread butter side down on the grill and voila! An awesome taste sensation.
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!
There's always room for jello, fruit salad and/or ice cream. Fresh lemonade, iced tea and light fruit juices go well with barbecue food and sunshine. Place jugs of ice-filled water decorated with mint sprigs or lemon slices. When the sun goes down, if you are so inclined, you can break out the beer. Don't forget the s'mores, those delectable campfire snacks made with toasted marshmallows tucked in between squares of chocolate and graham crackers.
A barbecue can be as simple as a few hotdogs cooked over an open grill for the family or it can be a major occasion. The summer months are punctuated with three traditional barbecue celebrations. These occur on Memorial Day in May, Independence Day in July and, finally, Labor Day, or International Workers Day, which is observed in early September.
The family barbecue traditionally features the culinary skills of the head of the household, or Dad, although anybody can learn. The secret lies in getting the black briquettes to light up and stay lit. A special lighter fluid is used to kick-start the action. The coals will flame brilliantly. When the flames die down, the briquettes develop a white ash coating. This is the perfect time to place the meat.
Barbecues make great "coming out" parties for those new marinade recipes you have been working on perfecting. Steak, chicken, fish, even vegetables can be marinated. Experiment with hot dogs and hamburgers for some low-budget family taste tests. There are few things better in this world than a potato wrapped in foil and then baked directly on the hot charcoals.
Salads are another feature on the barbecue menu. Tossed green salads, potato and pasta salads are familiar stalwarts. What a perfect way to show off your gardening skills. What could be better than freshly-picked tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes and peppers, eaten in the fresh, warm sea air.
Do you know what else tastes fab when cooked on the grill? Garlic bread. Take a baguette and slide it in half lengthwise and generously coat the cut side with butter, margarine or low-fat spread that has been mingling with fresh chopped garlic all day. Place the bread butter side down on the grill and voila! An awesome taste sensation.
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!
There's always room for jello, fruit salad and/or ice cream. Fresh lemonade, iced tea and light fruit juices go well with barbecue food and sunshine. Place jugs of ice-filled water decorated with mint sprigs or lemon slices. When the sun goes down, if you are so inclined, you can break out the beer. Don't forget the s'mores, those delectable campfire snacks made with toasted marshmallows tucked in between squares of chocolate and graham crackers.
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