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BBQs around the world
28th June 2010
The barbeque is a popular way to eat food across the world. The concept is after all simple, putting slabs of meat, fish and vegetables on a rack over a heat source. The versatility and simplicity make it a fantastic way to cook food - marinades, basting sauce, spice rubs and other flavours can be infused into the food before cooking, and the slow pace of the cooking makes the meat much more tender than other cooking methods do.
A huge variety of food can be eaten on a bbq or grill. Although traditionally thought of as a way of cooking meat, in fact fish and vegetables as well as produce such as potatoes and sweetcorn can be cooked well in this way. This flexibility extends beyond the food that is cooked. There are several different types of heat sources that can be used. Wood, charcoal, hot coals or even heat from electricity can be used for a bbq. Even the name is flexible! As a word “barbecue” can be used as a noun to refer to the food, the cooking apparatus or even the recipients of the food. As an adjective the term can be used to refer to the foods that have been cooked in this way and it can even be used as a verb to describe the way the food is being cooked.
There are also many different spelling variants and abbreviations of the word “barbecue”. BBQ, bar bq, barbecue, barbq and grills are all terms that mean the same thing. A barbie or barbe is another popular shortening and in South Africa it’s usually known as a Braai. Spelling the word can be tricky. Some end the word with “que” or “ques”, whilst others spell it “cue” “cues”. Others miss out letters altogether - barbque anyone!? The good news is that any of these spellings are understood!
So however you want to spell it or whatever you want to cook on it and however you want to power it, a BBQ is a universally recognized fantastic way to cook. Flavoursome, healthy and good fun, they are a great way to enjoy the summer at home with family and friends.