BBQ

Ask the butcher for a 2-metre (6½-foot) length of unlinked sausages. Alternatively, you can unlink a length of sausages and use short lengths together to form the spiral. If your barbecue doesn’t include a flat plate, cook the capsicum mixture in a heavy-based frying pan on the barbecue. Note

These char-grilled vegetables are healthy, delicious and pack a real spicy punch.

We used black tea leaves, but you could also use a smoky tea such as lapsang souchong. It’s a good idea to do the smoking on the barbecue. Note

Lebanese bread can be substituted for prepared pizza base. Note

The chilli paste made in this recipe also tastes great rubbed over a whole chicken or fish before being roasted. Note

Use metal skewers to pierce through the hard core of the corn slices. Note

You need to soak eight bamboo skewers in cold water for at least an hour before use to prevent them from splintering or burning during cooking. Note

Chicken and anything it is marinated in needs to be fully cooked to rid it of harmful bacteria. Wash any kitchen equipment that comes in contact with raw chicken thoroughly with warm soapy water. Chicken thighs are delicious, but are often overlooked in favour of breast fillets. The thigh is full of flavour and will […]

Some commercially prepared curry pastes can vary in heat and flavour. Add less than recommended until you can determine how hot it makes the final dish and to suit your spice level tolerance. In Indonesia, particularly on Java, food is often wrapped in banana leaves before steaming or grilling ­a process called “pepesan”, which gives […]

Soak 10 bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note

Roasted zucchini, eggplant and capsicum can be bought loose from delis, making the job even easier. Slice the stick as close to serving time as possible. Note

In this barbecued chicken recipe the segmented chicken is seasoned with delicious Mexican spices and served with grilled corn cobs and seared lime cheeks.

A classic cheeseburger with caramelised onion, gherkin, tomato and lettuce.

If you have time, marinate the steaks, covered, for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Note

American-style pork ribs are well-trimmed mid-loin ribs; you will find them at butcher shops and most supermarkets. Note

You will need to soak eight 25cm (10-inch) bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from splintering or scorching during the cooking process. Note

If you don’t have metal skewers, use bamboo skewers ­ soak them in cold water while the prawns are in the fridge. Note

You’ll need six small wooden skewers for this recipe. Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent them splintering and scorching during cooking. Use dried oregano if you can’t find rigani. Note

Nam jim is a generic term for a thai dipping sauce. Most versions include fish sauce and chillies, but the remaining ingredients are up to the cook’s discretion. Note

Soak the bamboo skewers in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent them burning during cooking. You can replace the prawns with squid or mixed seafood and serve with a good mayonnaise or aioli from your supermarket. Note

Soak the skewers in cold water for at least an hour before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. For optimum flavour, marinate the chicken overnight. Note

To use preserved lemon, remove and discard the pulp, squeeze the juice from the rind, then rinse the rind well; chop the rind finely. If preferred, substitute 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon rind at each stage for the preserved lemon. Note

A small, spicy sausage ­ eaten throughout North Africa and Spain ­ merguez is traditionally made with lamb meat and is easily identified by its chilli-red colour. Merguez can be found in many butchers, delicatessens and sausage specialty stores, but any spicy sausage can be used in this recipe. Note

If you cannot find banana chillies, use capsicums instead. Note

An exquisite pork dish with lovely colours and a delicious creamy kumara mash.

Create these Greek-style meatballs to make the perfect sharing platter.

Cook steaks to seal until moisture begins to pool on top surface (about 2 minutes). Turn only once. Cook on second side until cooked to taste. Note

Soak bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent them from scorching during cooking. Note

If the potatoes that you purchase for this recipe are young and quite small, scrubbing them well (rather than peeling) will be sufficient. Tuna is at its best if browned both sides Note

Peri peri prawn and coleslaw tortillas

This meal has a medium GI. Note

We used corella pears in this recipe. Dijonnaise is a commercial blend of dijon mustard and mayonnaise, available in supermarkets. Note

You can use either savoy cabbage or wombok (also known as chinese cabbage) in the coleslaw. Stout is a strong tasting dark-coloured beer that goes well with beef. Note

You can used store-bought char-grilled capsicum for this recipe, if you like. Note

Piri piri sauce is a spicy Afro-Portuguese chilli sauce available from Middle-Eastern food stores and most major supermarkets. Note

It’s easy to make pesto from different herbs or green leaves and with other nuts. A great combination is baby rocket and pistachio (it goes beautifully with chicken). A few other enticing blends include fresh coriander leaves with chilli instead of nuts, or sun-dried tomatoes processed with olives and walnuts. Note

Remember that when you put food onto skewers, not to squash everything together. Leave a little space between each item to allow the heat to circulate and to ensure everything cooks through. If you have time, soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes to stop them from burning during cooking, or cover the ends […]

The metal will conduct heat through the centre of the potatoes, helping them to cook faster. Note

If preferred, use boned lamb leg or shoulder. Make salad just before serving and drizzle with a little red-wine vinegar. Note

Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. Stir in coriander. Note

If fresh mango is not available, you can use 800g canned mango cheeks instead; drain them well, then slice thinly. Note

Sumac is a spice that adds a tart, lemony flavour and can be found in Middle Eastern food stores. Note

Rich and warm, with a nice kick from the chilli.

Haloumi is a firm, sheep-milk cheese with a minty, salty flavour; it does not break down when cooked, however, it should be eaten while still warm as it becomes tough and rubbery on cooling. This recipe is perfect for cooking on the barbecue when entertaining friends or family ­ serve with a couscous salad for […]

Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least 1 hour prior to use, to prevent them from scorching and splintering. If using metal skewers, oil them first to stop the prawns from sticking. Note

Replace orange with apple or pear slices, if preferred. Pork does not need to be overdone. Cook until just pink in the middle to retain juices. Note

Soak 8 bamboo skewers in water for about 30 minutes before use to prevent splintering and scorching during cooking. Note

Char-siu sauce is a Chinese barbecue sauce made from sugar, water, salt, fermented soya bean paste, honey, soy sauce, malt syrup and spices. A little something out of the ordinary for those times when you feel you’ve cooked it all before. Note

You need smoking chips and a smoke box for this recipe; they are available from barbecue supply stores. port-smoked beef Note

This deliciously tender piece of lamb is cooked using traditional Spanish flavours, combining salty chorizo and fragrant garlic and thyme to create a memorable dish for a roast dinner or Christmas lunch.

Soak 10 bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note

Sometimes sold as spring salad mix, mesclun is a commercial assortment of young green leaves, and will usually include some or all of the following: rocket, mizuna, baby spinach, curly endive, oak leaf, radicchio and mignonette. When cooking poultry directly on the barbecue grill, it only needs moderately-hot heat; place food on the edges of […]

The black beans used in this recipe are also known as turtle beans, and are Cuban and Latin American rather than Chinese in origin. Jet black with a tiny white eye, black beans can be found in most greengrocers and delicatessens. Note

The seafood can be prepared the night before, as can the dressing. Refrigerate seafood and dressing until you’re ready to start cooking. Note

You need 12 skewers; if using bamboo skewers, soak them in water 1 hour before use to prevent splintering or scorching. Note