It's summer, and who doesn´t feel like than dining outdoors ? A barbecue is a great way of spending time with friends on those hot summer nights near the pool or in your garden. With a litle care and planning you can ensure that your event is truly successful.
The choice of food we buy will naturally be extremely important , because our guests will have different tastes and preferences. It is best to stock a wide selection of meats and fish so you can be sure there is something for everyone. Easy to cook cuts like chicken breasts and pork cutlets are always a good choice. They cook quickly and are receptive to any number of flavourings or marinades. Fish, too, is extremely easy to cook on a barbeque. If you are cooking whole fish, put some sliced onions and lemons in the belly cavity and make sure you use a special fish holder which will make turning the fish over much easier. And when you are thinking about food, please do not forget the vegetarians among you. There is a tendency to regard barbeques as something exclusively for carnivores but it is possible to make delicious vegetable based meals on the grill. Vegetable brochettes or kebabs are always popular while Mediterranean vegetables such as aubergines and peppers also work really well once grilled .
The choice of drinks is also very important, because they usually have a large bearing on the success of your event. Try to make sure you have a selection of wines, beers and of course non alcoholic drinks for the designated drivers. If the weather is hot, plenty of ice is also a necessity. One clever way of keeping a large amount of drinks chilled is to fill a common-or-garden waste bin full of ice and keep your white wines and beers in that. Not only does it keep your drinks cool, it also makes a great talking point for guests. When it comes to wines, everyone has their own preferences , but Spanish wines seem to work well with grilled food. One wine that can be highly recommended is the Spanish red "Ribera del Duero". As far as white wines are concerned, you can't go wrong with one from Rueda in southern Spain.
The atmosphere that you achieve for your special occasion will have much to do with the lighting you choose . The idea is to illuminate the garden or area where you are hosting your barbeque with scented outdoor candles. Luxury scented candles in glass jars like those made by companies such as True Grace candles and Yankee candles look great twinkling away in the twilight , especially those giving off a citronella fragrance. You could place a row of different coloured candles along a wall to make a nice display or else use candles to pick out the border of a pool or pathway in your garden. This looks especially striking after dark. Scented candles are really delightful to smell, but if you choose citronella candles they have an added benefit in that they are renowned for their ability to ward off annoying mosquitoes, flies and other bugs which are unfortunately very much present on hot summer nights and which can make an al fresco event a misery for some. Other fragrances which have been shown to be effective against bugs are eucalyptus and bog myrtle. Paddywax candles, a luxury brand from the USA, makes a lovely eucalyptus scented candle, mixed with the fragrance of olive wood, but I have yet to come across a bog myrtle scented candle. Whatever food, wine or candles you choose, enjoy your summer evenings in the garden!
The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store where you will find a wide range of home fragrances, including Yankee candles and True Grace candles
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