BBQ tips you should know

As it's National BBQ Week, we thought we ought to share a few little tips & tricks that may help you reach gastro grillin' glory! If you think we've missed something out, comment or tweet using #NatBBQWeek.

1 - Hold your hand 6" from the grill to test the heat. If you feel you can hold it there for...

- under a minute, the grill is too hot
- 2-3 minutes the heat is high and ideal for searing
- 3-4 minutes is a medium temperature for normal grilling
- 4-5 minutes in fairly warm and good for heating food

2 - Marinated food tastes great and grills better, right? The longer the soak, the better the taste, right? Cut marinating times in half by placing marinated food in a sealed bag and placing in the fridge.

3 - Low & Slow! BBQing is not a race against time. Sear on high and then take it slow to retain all of those juices whilst cooking all the way through.

4 - Now you can buy a gas BBQ for under £40, there's a real argument for what's best, gas or charcoal. Follow this simple rule... Gas for ease, charcoal for taste.

5 - Shake up a barbi party with a theme. Food, clothing & drinks can all match a country's theme.

Caribbean = jerk chicken & dreds
Australian = Kanga steaks & cork hats
British = Soggy hotdog & a raincoat?

6 - Throwing wood chips and herb branches onto the coals can add great smoky flavour.

7 - Create barbi theatre by pressing meat on the grill with a spatula. The release of natural fat will create flames and make you look like a pro. (health warning: BBQs are fun. BBQs aren't toys. Be careful and treat them with respect)

8 - Introduce colour to BBQ food with flame roasted red, yellow & green peppers.

9 - Achieve criss crossed lines like a pro by searing on a high heat, quickly wiping the grill and placing back at 45 degrees.

10 - Safety first. Place the BBQ on level ground away from overhanging shrubbery. Only use bbq lighter fuel and NEVER use petrol. If a gas barbi doesn't light, turn off the gas and leave for a minute before returning and trying to relight.

Recipe: Marvellous Miso, Mustard & Sesame Aubergines

As if it needed to be proved, here is a superb and simple example of a vegetable that’s just great on the grill. Aubergine is, in our opinion, vastly underrated; the miso and sesame add a wonderfully oriental flavour, balanced by the Dijon and honey!

What you need

Ripe aubergines x 2

1 tbsp Miso paste

1 tbsp honey – runny

1 tsp creamy Dijon mustard

1 tsp grated ginger

1 x crushed garlic cloves

1tbsp mixed soy sauce & cider vinegar

20g toasted sesame seeds

What you do

o  Mix Miso paste, honey, mustard, ginger, garlic, soy, vinegar & ½ sesame seeds.

o  Cut aubergines length-wise then cross-cut flesh; brush scored side with ½ Miso mix.

o  Place on medium grill, cut face-down to sear then turn and baste with remaining Miso mix, turn frequently until charred all over, about 15 minutes.

o  Set aside to cool, for around 5-10 minutes.

National BBQ Week

You may have seen across social media (Facebook & Twitter for those not in the loop) that we're running National BBQ Week this week. BBQing sits at the very core of our alfresco ethos and there are few better ways to enjoy a communal mealtime than gastro grillin'.

National BBQ Week is one of the UK's biggest awareness weeks and has changed consumer BBQ attitudes and usage from just 9 million in 1997 to over 120 million last year! Now in its 19th year, National BBQ Week sees friends, families, pubs and hotels come together and embrace the BBQ culture, whatever the weather.

We want you to get involved! Whether it's just having a simple BBQ in the garden with the family, or sharing an alfresco afternoon with the whole of the village, we want to see your pics, tips and recipes.

Send them over on Twitter using #NatBBQWeek and we'll share the best ones.