dining
Raise the steaks
Your bumper guide to throwing the ultimate Father’s Day barbecue. By Apple Lee Those two characteristics are what give food that’s been cooked on a charcoal or wood fire such amazing flavour.
Plan your cooking sequence Depending on the shape and the size of the meat you are using, you may have to take some ingredients out of the fridge one to two hours prior to cooking. If you are grilling a 1kg beef rib on the bone, you are going to want it at room temperature so that the high heat is able to penetrate evenly. If you are cooking a thin individual sirloin steak, you may toss it onto the grill straight from the fridge. Having a solid interior will help prevent the steak from overcooking while still maintaining a great, chargrilled texture on it.
Season your ingredients
Chef’s tips Chef Cary Docherty of Island Shangri-La’s Lobster Bar and Grill shares his top tips for hosting a barbecue party
People, music and cold beer First thing’s first. At a barbecue, there is nothing more important than these first three tips rolled into one. Surround yourself with
people you enjoy hanging out with, have a killer playlist of music ready in advance and have plenty of cold beer. Not fridge-cold either, the beer must be kept in a cooler and completely submerged in ice water.
Pre-heat Now onto the cooking. Light your grill well in advance. Nine out of ten times when barbecuing you’re going to want to cook over a high heat to get that heavily caramelised finish and deep smoky aromas.
I often say that the single biggest difference between restaurant cooking and home cooking is salt content, and knowing how and when to season the food you are cooking. It is crucial to season ingredients at the start of the cooking process and not just at the end. Having said that, it is important to taste the food you are about to serve and adjust the seasoning at the last minute as well to ensure the food does not taste bland. Taste and adjust as many times as necessary. Add salt in small increments to avoid going overboard.
The best outdoor barbecue spots on Hong Kong Island
Stanley Main Beach Take minibus 40 from Causeway Bay
Tai Tam Country Park Take a taxi or walk up from the bottom of Tai Tam Reservoir Road to Parkview entrance
Shek O Beach Take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan
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