The Devil Wears Barbecue Sauce
It’s OK to be a BBQ Diva
Bet you didn’t know that grilling goes hand-in-hand with fashion. Building a meal that sizzles in all the right places is a lot like putting together a great outfit. It’s about layers, textures and colours, and also nailing the right balance of complementary yet contrasting style. But in this case, we’re talking flavour. Channel your inner fashionista and fearlessly get grilling!
Your base should be a bold statement
Think of this as your little black dress: both bold on its own, yet adaptable enough to go next level with a few extras. In the culinary world, these are Rubs, Glazes & Burger Seasonings. They’re rich in herbs and spices, full-flavoured and dazzle with great texture.
Rubs are uber savoury blends that rely on flavour workhouses like garlic, onion, peppercorns, and robust herbs like rosemary and basil. These are coarse in texture and cling to food, creating a flavourful crust as it cooks. Ideal for larger cuts of food, they’ll make your steak, chops or fish fillets practically purr.
Glazes are a mix of sweet and savoury bits. Once all those nuggets of organic cane sugar start to melt and meld with other goodies like citrus, chilli, garlic or ginger you’ve just sealed in all the juicy flavour of whatever you’re cooking. Ideal for smaller cuts where every piece, nook and cranny gets a luscious coating. Think kebabs/skewers and any kind of veggie. Glazes never go out of style for portobello mushrooms.
Burger Seasonings are packed with a buffet of flavour: onions, garlic, dried bell peppers, sun roasted tomatoes and bright, fresh herbs. The blend “blooms” with the moisture in the ground meat and expands so each bite is pure delight.
Nothing layers in flavour like a sauce
It’s like draping a cute cardi or daring scarf over your outfit at a rakish angle. Because the base is typically earthy and herby with big rounded flavour, this is the chance to add that needed contrast with something tangy and bright or sultry and smoky. Epicure sauces are stir-together, no-cook numbers made with pantry staples such as oil, vinegar, mayo or ketchup.
BBQ Sauce is the all-star player here. It’s a playful one that’s ragged around the edges and runs the gamut from sweet and smoky at the start that builds into a tart finish. Pairs well with any food that has a natural sweetness heightened by grilling. And be generous – use as a basting sauce towards the end of grilling when the food is just about cooked. Then toss or brush with a little bit more as your meat rests before slicing to add some shine. (You do rest your meat after grilling, right?)
Chimichurri is a tart herby sauce with notes of punchy garlic. Bright green in colour, it adores grilled meats and veggies. Splashing this over your food is the equivalent of walking into a room and immediately radiating je ne sais quoi!
Smoky Mojo is a Spanish-inspired sauce with notes of garlic & smoked peppers. Best paired with a subtle base as the smokiness takes the lead here. Think of this one as European BBQ Sauce. While it pairs with anything smoky, it can also turn a humble boiled or smashed potato into a work of art.
Chipotle i is a mayo-based sauce. Kind of like an uncooked cream sauce- they’re big-bodied, velvety and versatile. Use as a thick sauce to dollop over top grilled food – a kind of pillow to nestle in toppers (see below), or thin with milk or hot water to create a drizzly crema (tacos and grilled fish love this!).
Toppers tie it all together
Now you’re basically slipping on the jewellery that will complement the entire outfit and add even more interest, sparkle and shine. This is the time to introduce a new texture (hello crunch!) so that every bite resonates with toothsome delight.
Quickles add the right contrast of crunch and piquant tartness. This is a quick pickling method that doesn’t require canning. Simply boil the mix with vinegar, salt and water; pour over sliced veggies and chill until cold. If you do nothing else, make quickled red onion rings. Its natural sweetness is a perfect foil for the brine and will bring your burger, steak or even a cheese and lettuce sandwich to the next level. There are no fashion rules here. This goes with everything!
Coleslaw is a staple. It’s the fashion accessory that can be worn every day or get dressed up for a night on the town. Coleslaw Dressing Mix has notes of dill and turmeric with a hint of sweetness. Make it creamy with yogurt and mayo, or tangy with vinegar and oil. Play with the jewelled tones of purple cabbage mixed with grated carrot or ruffle the texture using a mix of different cabbages, broccoli stems and jicama.
Better Than Bacon is a vegan-friendly crunchy “bacon” topper – but made from pinto beans. Best used right at the end, just before serving so that the skinny flakes stay crunchy, leaving a luxurious smoky mouthfeel.
Happy grilling season!
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