The city gardener: Handy hints for a perfect barbecue

With the weather getting better, it's time to break out the grills. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure that you impress your friends with your barbecuing prowess.

Once you’ve got your actual barbecue in order, you’ll have to start thinking about your menu and presentation. Courtesy Ace Hardware

It’s been a long time coming, but barbecue season is finally here. It’s time to break out the grills, invite your pals over and cook up a storm.

Before you start, here’s a quick checklist to make sure that you impress your friends with your barbecuing prowess.

First off, the actual barbecue. If you’re cooking for a smaller party or just an everyday meal for the family, consider the ­Weber Q3000. This gas grill is easy to use, features two burners and offers direct and indirect heat. It retails for Dh2,599 at Ace Hardware.

Another favourite is the Char-Broil 5 Burner gas grill, also from Ace Hardware. This sleek grill retails at Dh1,725, and features a stainless-steel body that lends it a more contemporary look, as well as five burners, making it great for larger groups.

If you fancy yourself as more of a celebrity chef, try the Home Grill Chef 4 Burner Gas Grill + Side Burner by Jamie Oliver, which is available at the Dubai Garden Centre for Dh2,999. This is the largest grill from Jamie Oliver’s Home series.

Once you’ve got your actual barbecue in order, you’ll have to start thinking about your menu and presentation.

While we’d never suggest skimping on quality, you don’t actually need to break the bank when it comes to choosing your meat. Instead, try going for a different cut. For steak, consider skirt or flank rather than porterhouse; with chicken, opt for thighs rather than boneless chicken breasts. Choosing seasonal fruit and veg will also help to keep your costs down.

These small savings will definitely add up if you’re hosting a larger party. And don’t forget to cook a bit extra for ­leftovers later in the week.

If your barbecue is a last-­minute affair, go for some potluck. Promise your guests that you’ll provide the meat and cold drinks, then ask them to bring a dish of their own – be it a starter, side or dessert.

If you don’t have enough plates, bowls and cups to go around, disposable ones are never a bad idea. That said, do your best to seek out eco-friendly options to minimise the environmental ­impact. Set up a spot where people can easily pick up plates, cups, utensils and condiments. If you’re using disposable cups, meet people at the door with a marker and a cup – put their name on the cup, so that they don’t lose it the minute they put it down.

Also make sure there’s enough seating for your guests. Either lay out blankets on the lawn or put out a few extra chairs on the patio. They don’t have to be anything fancy – simple lawn or beach chairs will do the trick.

Consider the time of day of your barbecue. If you plan for the party to run into the evening, dot the area with lanterns, and light them once the sun goes down. Whether there are children at the party or not, make sure to have a few games on hand. Sack races, five-a-side football or outdoor Twister (spray painting the dots onto the lawn is an easy task) will keep people entertained. And nothing can make or break the atmosphere of a barbecue quite like the music selection. Create a feel-good mix to keep the party lively.

The worst part of any barbecue is the mess that you have to deal with afterwards. To minimise this, have clearly marked rubbish areas. While we don’t suggest asking your guests to clean their own plates, it’s not out of order to ask them to place any non-­disposable tableware in the kitchen when they’re done.

And as unpleasant as the task may sound after a day of merriment, clean your barbecue grills straight away. There’s nothing worse than forgetting all about them, and being confronted with a greasy, meaty mess the next time around.

Ashley Lane is assistant magazines editor at The National.