One of the many awesome things about Australia is the brilliant warm weather we get over Christmas! Forget jumpers and eggnog. Australian Christmas is all about getting out in the sun and making the most of our beautiful country's weather. And what better way to celebrate an Aussie Christmas than in your own backyard with friends, family! Here are 6 Christmas BBQ recipes for your Christmas barbie...
READ last year's Christmas BBQ Ideas blog here!
1. Beer Can Chook
BBQs are typically Australian. So is beer! And a delicious Aussie chook is the best way to pair the two. It's an easy recipes that serves for and takes about 1 hour and 35 mins (with 10 minutes prep time) You'll need:
- 1 chicken
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- A squeeze of lemon
- 3 tablespoons of spiced rub of your choice
- 1 beer can
Prep the chicken as you usually would, removing all giblets inside. Wash it and pat it dry. Rub in seasoning, salt, pepper and lemon. Open the beer can and take a few big sips! The can needs to be half full. Open the chicken legs and place the chicken around the beer can. Place chicken on the BBQ or Weber for an 1.35 hours until internal temperature reaches 73 degrees Celsius (80 degrees in the thigh) or until the juices run clear.
2. Rum and Coke Ribs
Getting a bit more Caribbean with this one. But who doesn't love sweet and sticky ribs on a barbie? Acclaimed Chef Peter Evans came up with this wicked rum and coke rubs recipe:
- 1 cup of rum
- 2 cans of Coca Cola
- 300ml of tomato sauce
- Tabasco sauce a good dash or two
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl to make a marinade. Place the ribs in the bowl overnight to soak up the marinade. The net day, bake the ribs for 1.5 hours at 160 degrees Celsius. Remove from the oven and BBQ for 15 mins until they're nice and char-grilled.
3. Mustard and Citrus Prawns
This recipe by Kathie is a super impressive dish to whip up for a Christmas BBQ. BBQ prawns marinated in homemade mustard, garlic, lemon juice, basic and white wine. Ready in 1.15 hours.
- 1/2 cup (125ml) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- juice of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon dried basil, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons white wine (optional)
- 30 uncooked tiger or king prawns, peeled and de-veined
Mix olive oil, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, orange juice, basil and white wine. Pop the prawns into a bowl and cover them with the marinade. Leave for an hour and then BBQ on high heat for 3-5 mins.
4. BBQ'd Garlic and Parmesan Asparagus
Something for the veggos. These guys only take 15 mins to prep and cook and are suitable as a side for meat eaters and vegetarians. Get as many asparagus spears as you need for your guests. Break the tough bits of the asparagus off the bottom and lay in a shallow dish. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the asparagus to cover only the bottom of the dish. Pour salt over the asparagus and place in the microwave for two minutes. Remove from the microwave and pour out the water. Then, cover in garlic, pepper, garlic salt (if you have) and Parmesan cheese. BBQ for 10 mins until char-grilled. You can also wrap them in ham if you like.
5. Haloumi Cheese
Another simple side to go with your BBQ meat. Cut up some Haloumi cheese into thick pieces and cover with olive oil, lemon, oregano and pepper. Pop on the BBQ for 10 minutes. Goes great with a salad or on skewers with some veg.
6. Shmooshed BBQ Potatoes
I don't think Christmas would feel like Christmas without potatoes. And if you're skipping the roast why not chuck them on your BBQ instead? Wash and peel as many potatoes as you need or use baby potatoes. Parboil then until they're soft. Cover them in olive oil, salt and pepper and place on the BBQ for 29 mins. Shmoosh them down to help them cook quicker (and because it's fun to do).
