There are various misperceptions and opinions surrounding barbecuing. This is due to passionate cooks and barbecue enthusiasts swearing by one way and no one else’s.
There are also many opinions and differing studies on what foods are healthy and what way to prepare them is best. Though, this is a very broad subject – you’ll see many opposing arguments for and against written on articles, social media, documentaries, YouTube, and the list goes on…
These barbecuing opinions have even been featured on cooking shows or even sitcoms. One notable example is Mike Judge’s animated adult sitcom King of the Hill, where main character Hank Hill swears by gas barbecues and has strong opions against well-done steaks…
Hank’s son: “What if somebody wants theirs well-done?”
Hank: “We ask them politely, yet firmly, to leave.”
The truth is, many barbecuing techniques and ways of preparing food, and foods themselves are valid. Almost everything is worth trying and moderation is one of the keys.
It’s just the fact that strong opinions, fad diets, and quick fixes unfortunately sell to people.
Anyway, on that subject let’s take a look at some common BBQ myths and see if we can debunk them…
“You Can’t Have A BBQ In Winter”
Yes, you can! Whilst having a barbecue is strongly associated with summer and sunny weather, it is entirely possible to have a winter BBQ. It just takes a few adjustments.
Wrap up warm, place your barbecue in a sheltered but well ventilated space, and start cooking. You may have to heat things a bit longer to make up for the cold, but at least the heat from the barbecue will keep you warm.
This is made possible even further with accessories such as a fire pit or patio heater.
There are many different options to suit every budget. For those who really want to invest in gatherings at colder times, a gas fire pit table will keep guests warm and give them a place to rest their drinks whilst also helping to keep food heated.
So what do you think? Convinced to try a winter barbecue yet? Could be an easy way to cook turkey for Christmas dinner…
“BBQs are Just for Meat”
When thinking of a barbecue, many instantly imagine burgers and hot dogs, and while there’s nothing wrong with those foods – barbecues can do so much more.
Add some vegetables and fruits and you’ll see how amazing they can taste when grilled, as it can really bring out their flavour. Alongside your meat, you can create veggie skewers that will please your friends whether they are vegetarian or not.
If you have a barbecue that allows it, certain accessories will enable you to even cook dishes such as pizza using a pizza stone, a stir fry with a wok, and even various desserts such as s’mores and pancakes.
Adding a chargrilled edge to these foods really separates them from their non barbecued variations.
Opinions on Flipping and Pressing Down on Meat
There are varying opinions on how often you should flip meat. Some say once, some say frequently, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Flipping too little will lead to overcooking, and flipping too much can cause undercooking! So try to get a balance, flipping only occasionally instead.
You’ve probably seen it done many times on TV – pressing down on meat. Some say it helps cook better and quicker. However, doing this actually squeezes the juices out, meaning you end up with a drier and less flavourful end result.
Instead, resist the urge to press down on the meat, and leave it on its own to lock in the all important juices. If you need to cook things in a hurry, consider thinner cut meat.
“BBQ is Bad for You”
BBQ being unhealthy is a misconception. The truth is that it all depends on how you cook and what you eat.
Avoid over charring food and use quality product and you shouldn’t have any worries. In fact, barbecue helps preserve nutrients in both meat and vegetables. It also allows excess fat to drip off food.
Plus, you can barbecue vegetables and lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish if you’re on a health kick.
The barbecues being unhealthy myth likely comes from the typical image of a barbecue meaning an over indulgence in chargrilled burgers and sausages, in bread, covered in sugary sauces and American cheese.
The reality is, you can cook so much more than this, and even burgers and cheese can be made healthy…
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