Fire Up the Barbecue for Breakfast

Fire Up the Barbecue for Breakfast

By Anthony P Langston

When do you usually barbecue? After work? On weekend afternoons? So you usually cook lunch and dinner? Have you ever thought about firing up the barbecue on a lazy Sunday and cooking breakfast that way?

I’m a big fan of the cooked breakfast – especially on a lovely weekend when you have little planned except reading the papers, doing a spot of gardening, playing with the children and maybe going for a stroll later in the afternoon.

We don’t often have the chance for cooked breakfasts in the week, when we’re all getting ready for work or school, so it’s a real weekend luxury. And on a sunny summer’s morning, being able to go straight outside and sort out breakfast is a bonus.

So where do you start? Well, it depends what you fancy for breakfast – if you’re a continental coffee and croissants sort of person, the barbecue is not really going to work for you. But if you fancy an English ‘fry-up’ or an American-style breakfast, the grill can be your early morning friend.

First up – sausages. Cooking them on the grill is healthier than frying, naturally, as much of the fat drips off and onto the barbecue – just watch out for flare-ups from your coals, which will result in singed sausages.

Bacon can also be done on the grill – but keep an eye on it. You’ll be better off choosing chunkier cuts of bacon – or even gammon steaks – which will stand up to the rigors of barbecue grilling far better than some of those flimsy rashers of bacon. And if you want to add a smoky flavor, brush with some barbecue sauce while cooking.

If you have a substantial griddle pan, you could cook American pancakes – easily made from a batter of flour, baking powder, milk, egg, melted butter and caster sugar. They’re more substantial than French crepes so are far more suited to the outdoor experience. Serve with maple syrup and butter. If you’re feeling very Stateside, pancakes can be served with bacon or sausage – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – the combination of sweet and savory flavors is delicious.

Next for the eggs. Well, you’re hardly likely to crack them over the grill, but you can make individual little foil trays – or use the ones in which individual pies are sold. Pop then on the grill and crack an egg into each one – kids will particularly enjoy having their own little individual egg – and it’s easy to see when they’re done. Alternatively you could just pop a frying pan on the grill, but it depends upon how traditional you are about the whole barbecue element!

If your grill has a lid, this is a novel egg cooking idea. Take some large flat mushrooms and scoop out the centers, leaving a well for your eggs to sit in. Drizzle some oil into the well and pop over the hot coals for a minute or so to heat up. Then, crack the egg into the well and close the lid of your barbecue. It will probably take two or three minutes for the egg to cook.

If you enjoy French toast have a go at grilling it on the barbecue. Whip up some eggs and milk, dip your slices of bread in it until they are well coated and then place on the grill. Cook until lightly golden. You can serve with sugar and lemon like a pancake, or even some maple syrup.

Tomatoes are delicious grilled, but make sure you use large tomatoes that can stand up to the rigors of barbecue grilling – and that are big enough not to slip through the grill! Tasty beef tomatoes are best – season and drizzle with a little olive oil – and if you grow herbs, grabs a couple of basil leaves and rip them over the cut side of the tomato for extra flavor.

Finally, after all that excess, finish off with some fruit, so that you feel that you have been very healthy, enjoying your breakfast in the open air. Oh, but you need to barbecue it first of course, those are the rules! To get the best out of your fruit, use firm fruit that is not likely to fall apart, and then before you get busy with the rest of breakfast, slice it, leaving on the skins to help it stay intact. Slice pineapple, cut bananas length ways, and slice pears and apples. Leave the fruit to soak in cold water with some lemon juice added to prevent it browning. This means that by the time the fruit comes to the grill it will be very moist and won’t dry out during the cooking process. Take the fruit out of the water and drain. Then brush with melted butter (you can add spices or other flavorings to this if you fancy). Then grill until it has heated through and has that griddled look. Serve on its own or with Greek yogurt.

There are always some side dishes at a barbecue and your barbecue breakfast will be no exception. Baked beans, scrambled eggs, fresh bread and a pot of hot coffee and orange juice. Barbecue breakfast – the best meal of the day.

Charcoal Barbecues, Gas BBQs, Wood Fired Ovens, Patio Heating, Smokers and Firepits. Even delicious recipes! Visit BBQBarbecues and start planning your Summer today!

Article Source: EzineArticles Anthony P Langston

Photo Courtesy of © Keithwilson | Dreamstime.com

 

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