National Barbecue Week May 25th to 31st

If you haven’t done so already, dig out your barbecues, evict the creepy crawlies that have taken up residence since you last got grilling and join the many stoic folks who partake in National BBQ Week every year. Actually, you might be lucky with the weather as were we when we defied the poor forecast and decided to persist with our barbeque plans on Sunday: we were amply rewarded with a very pleasant afternoon and a breath-taking sunset.

There is something about food cooked and eaten outside that satisfies some deep primeval instinct and somehow tastes better. Maybe it’s the fresh air sharpening the appetite or the thrill of the fire or the smokiness, but barbecued meals are fun and relatively simple and don’t have to consist of a few charred sausages and blackened burgers. Fish is fantastic cooked on the Barbie: we even got our salmon hating daughter wolfing down marinated salmon fillets this weekend. Veggie kebabs are super easy and delicious and salad just tastes nicer when eaten outdoors.

Visit the National BBQ Week site for some great recipes, or just see what looks nice in the butchers, greengrocers or fishmongers and get googling for marinade ideas. And try not to worry about the forecast….it’ll probably be fine and if not, we’ve all got grills! Of course, a Garden Escape provides year round weather proofing for your al fresco cooking and dining plans. Whether you need to shelter from the occasional shower (while the BBQ continues glowing under the covered decking) or keep yourself (and your salads) cool during a blast of sunshine, an outdoor room allows you to carry on grilling, whatever the weather.