BBQ in your backyard

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If you love smoking chicken tikkas and kebabs, preparing them on your barbeque with friends could be much more fun.
For many, it’s a fun ritual, setting up a barbeque at home and having friends come over for a fun-filled evening.

Shares Richa Gupta, a professional who loves monthly get-togethers at colleague Pawan’s pad, where they prepare yummy chicken and paneer tikkas with vegetables over drinks. “I didn’t know that barbeque could be a fun addition at parties. It doesn’t take much space and is simple to handle, all you need is kerosene, coal, and a barbeque stand. Recently, we celebrated Pawan’s first Lohri after marriage and we are looking forward to another party soon.”
Upasna Lall, a professional, made full use of a cement mixer that was lying unused on her terrace to make her barbeque at home. All she needed after that was a matka stand, net, microwave skewers and coal to put together the barbeque one fine evening while she was enjoying with friends at her place.
“The cement mixer that had been lying on the terrace proved to be very useful. I have a huge terrace and host barbeque parties often. We get marinated chicken and other ready to eat options and grill them. I have also made kheer on this barbeque in an earthern pot. It’s delicious and cooks within 40-50 minutes. The last time I hosted a party, we even got my projector on the terrace and we all watched a movie.”
For first-timers, Tarun Kapoor, executive Sous Chef, The Metropolitan Hotel has words of advice. “Firstly, barbeque in an open space. You must ensure that the temperature of coal is not too high. Always light the coal in a lump form and wait for atleast 15 minutes, coal must have a white ash around it for you to start cooking. And use a tong to spread the coal.”

Paneer Tikka a la BBQ Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
500 gm cottage cheese
2 capsicum
10 baby onions
10 baby potatoes

For BBQ sauce
1 cup onion, chopped
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp garlic, chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp sweet pepper, chopped
Salt to taste
3 tbsp parsley, chopped
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
60 ml white wine
2 tbsp vinegar
1 cup ketchup
½ tbsp tabasco sauce

Method
Combine all ingredients required for the BBQ sauce in a saucepan and boil. Cook on low flame and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes. Cut cottage cheese and capsicum into 1” cubes. Peel and keep aside baby onions and wash baby potatoes. Add the marinade to the prepared vegetables and cheese and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
Preheat grill. Baste the marinade on skewers and grill. Once the vegetable and cottage cheese are crispy from outside, remove from skewers and serve hot.

Honey BBQ Chicken
Serves 2
500 gm chicken breast
1 cup tomato soup
2 tbsp honey
1 ½ tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp mustard
2 tsp red pepper sauce (optional)
Salt to taste
Black pepper (crushed) to taste

Method

Combine all ingredients, except for chicken breasts, in a saucepan and boil on medium flame.
Allow to simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes. Place the chicken breast on the grill and baste with the prepared marination using a brush.
Turn the chicken and baste the other side also. Cook thoroughly till the stock dries. Serve hot.

(Recipes courtesy Tarun Kapoor)