Most carnivores tend to view a barbecue as a meat-fest but there is no reason why vegetarians should feel excluded. Whether you have a swanky Weberbbq.co.uk machine or are depending on a couple of cheap barbecues of the disposable variety it’s a great way to entertain friends and family in the summer. Just make sure that you have a separate area to cook the vegetarian food as many vegetarians will not eat food that has been in contact with meat, fish or poultry.
If you don’t enjoy cooking and see a barbecue as an excuse to throw a load of sausages and burgers on the barbie and serve them in buns then don’t despair just because you have a veggie friend turning up. Supermarkets sell a good range of “pretend” burgers and sausages, made from quorn, nuts, pulses or tofu. The Linda McCartney range is a reliable source of all things vegetarian. However, there is no need to serve things that look like meat or to spend hours chopping up nuts to make the proverbial nut cutlet. Instead, why not use your imagination and try your hand at knocking up some tasty vegetarian kebabs? Good mixtures include halloumi cheese and mushrooms, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and chunks of baguette, or paneer cheese (an Indian cheese), new potatoes, red onions and red peppers coated in a tikka paste.
For the reluctant cook, however, few things are as easy as corn on the cob. Wrap tightly in foil, having first drizzled on some olive oil or butter, and if you want to speed up the cooking zap it in the microwave first for 3 or 4 minutes.
Stuffed peppers are an impressive dish for the barbecue. Use kitchen string to tie the peppers but if some of the stuffing starts to spill out don’t despair as they can be finished off wrapped in foil.
