THE PERFECT SUMMER BBQ**
Summer is all about getting outside and enjoying the sunshine, and barbecues have become synonymous with that in the UK. It's the perfect excuse to get the paddling pool out and invite the whole family round for an afternoon of fun, laughter and of course some great food. So treat yourself to a new dress (a great value George dress from ASDA is ideal), get the BBQ fired up and enjoy a day of fun and food with all the family.
Keep the Kids Entertained
While the food is cooking you'll want to keep the children entertained. Make sure you get any summer garden toys out like trampolines, bats and balls, lawn croquet and the essentail paddling pool, which will always be a real hit with the kids. Have water fights with water balloons and water guns, build a shady den, draw a hop scotch on the patio and see who can go the highest on the swing.
Food
Of course when you think bbq, you instantly think of what you'll be eating. You don't have to stick with the normal bangers and burgers. You can instantly add interest to burgers by stuffing them with cheese, for example. You can even save time and do this by simply reshaping shop bought burgers around your favourite cheese. Or maybe you fancy spicing them up a little by adding a blend of herbs and spices. As for sausages, why not buy a few different flavoured bangers at the butchers, or grill some Spanish chorizo sausages.
Marinade some chicken, try a new steak rub and make vegetable kebabs or some delicious grilled corn on the cob. Summer salads and delicious artisan breads are a great addition to any barbecue. Perhaps knock up a potato salad, a taste packed bowl of Turkish style cous cous and a leafy green salad and you'll have the perfect accompaniments for your barbecued feast.
Dessert wise you can't go wrong with ice cream for the kids and maybe a light and creamy pavlova for the adults. There's something ever so summery about the combination of crisp and chewy meringue with lashings of cream and fresh fruit.
Drinks
Summer screams cocktails, whether it's a jug of sangria, a summer fruit punch or maybe something a little more adventurous. You can guarantee you'll impress your guests with a glass of Pimms packed with strawberries and orange and cucumber slices or even a bellini when they arrive. A nice rose, a few light summery beers and plentiful soft drinks will keep everyone happy. Make sure you stock up on ice poles for the kids and have plenty of ice cubes on stand by too.
Perhaps go the whole hog and string up a few lengths of bunting from the trees in the garden to make it all the more summery and put some great music on in the background that never fails to remind you of summers past - you'll have the perfect recipe for a sizzling summer barbecue. Just add sunshine!
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