Katy Beskow - Vegan BBQ: 70 Delicious Plant-Based Recipes to Cook Outdoors

Publishing Director

Sarah Lavelle

Commissioning Editor

Harriet Webster

Copy Editor

Clare Sayer

Art Direction & Design

Emily Lapworth

Photographer

Luke Albert

Food Stylist

Tamara Vos

Prop Stylist

Louie Waller

Make-up Artist

Dani Hooker

Head of Production

Stephen Lang

Production Controller

Nikolaus Ginelli

First published in 2022 by Quadrille, an imprint of Hardie Grant Publishing

Quadrille

5254 Southwark Street

London SE1 1UN

quadrille.com

Text Katy Beskow 2022

Photography Luke Albert 2022

Design and layout Quadrille 2022

All rights reserved. No part of the book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

The rights of Katy Beskow to be identified as the author of this work have been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988. Cataloguing in Publication Data: a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

eISBN: 978 1 78713 861 2

What do vegans eat at a barbecue? is a question that Ive been asked, and overheard (as a vegan of 15 years), more times than I can count. Barbecuing and grilling are traditionally associated with cooking meats, and aside from a simple skewer of vegetables or a corn-on-the-cob, the options have previously been limited. But the truth is that barbecuing combines a range of techniques to bring out the best in so many vegetables and plant-based foods making them the stars of the show!

When you move away from the idea that the barbecue is just there to cook meat (or processed meat alternatives) a world of possibilities opens up to you. Ingredients are transformed when cooked on the barbecue, with charred, smoky flavours and crisp yet tender textures to awaken your senses. I believe that everything tastes better when its cooked on the barbecue so you can really push the boundaries and be creative! Using fresh, sustainably grown, seasonal ingredients that are readily available in supermarkets, its easy to create outstanding food, whether thats standalone suppers or feasts for gatherings of friends and family.

Hosting a barbecue for loved ones is one of lifes little pleasures. Unlike cooking in a cramped kitchen, cooking outdoors feels particularly sociable as you can enjoy the company of others, a cool drink, and making memories while you cook full-of-flavour food, hopefully in the sunshine. Its also a great way to showcase vegan food in a casual and relaxed way. But dont just limit your barbecue to a once-a-year piece of equipment that grills vegan burgers and plant-based sausages; use it more often to cook your supper, without any special occasion needed.

Cooking can feel like a chore. Weekly meals on repeat (even for me, as a food writer) can leave us uninspired by yet another supper to prepare. This is when its time to dust off the barbecue, add some fire (literally), cook outside, and infuse your food with flavours that cant be created in any other way. Im a big believer that barbecuing isnt just for those glorious summer get-togethers, but something that can be enjoyed all year round, as long as you avoid those rainy days. On a chilly autumn or winter day (or evening), simply grab your hat and a warm coat, fire up the barbecue and be inspired by seasonal produce to invigorate your meals.

Whether youre a vegan, vegetarian, or are simply craving fresh new dishes, there are so many delicious possibilities when barbecuing plant-based foods. Not only are you choosing more sustainable, cruelty-free and seasonal ingredients, but youre opening up a world of new flavours. There are also far fewer food safety concerns when cooking vegan food on the barbecue compared to cooking animal products, so you wont have to worry about the serious risks of feeding your friends and family undercooked meat a real plus if you are new to this type of cooking.

If youre not confident with preparing or cooking on the barbecue, Ive included tips and advice on the types of barbecue and charcoal to use, how to light it effectively, any extra equipment you need, and practical ways to know if your barbecue is hot enough (or too hot) to cook with. I promise that its much simpler than you think. Ive included a shopping guide of my favourite ingredients, and every recipe has a Hot Tip to help you get the most out of the ingredients. Most of the recipes are cooked on the barbecue itself, but Ive included some additional recipes that are cooked or prepared in the kitchen; these are dishes that perfectly complement barbecued food, so you can create something memorable every time. Ive kept the recipes as simple as possible, while packing in masses of flavour, so you can spend more time eating and less time preparing.

Have fun as you cook in the great outdoors whether its on your bijou balcony, garden patio, or even on the beach while you enrich your food with depth of flavour and perfect, crisp textures. Theres something exciting about cooking outside on the barbecue, with that rich smoke, the sizzling sounds from the grill and a varied way of cooking that will inspire you to create some of your best vegan food that everyone will love.

Refresh or learn how to get the best from your barbecue in these initial introductory pages, which include information on:

• Choosing a barbecue to suit your needs
• Which charcoal to use
• How to successfully light the barbecue
• How to determine the varying temperatures of your barbecue
• Useful outdoor cooking equipment
• Ingredients for the best ever vegan barbecue

Ive also put together 10 menus of dishes that work well together, for every occasion and season. Feel free to choose and combine your favourite recipes, or use these time-saving menu plans.

There are four chapters of recipes in this book:

Use this chapter to choose your main dishes, all cooked on the barbecue. The dishes require some kitchen preparation time before they hit the grill, most of which can be done in advance. Follow the temperature guides for fail-safe dishes. From , theres something for everyone!

Find your favourite side dishes to accompany the main event, or prepare one or two of these recipes if you require something lighter. From tasty dishes you can serve as a starter to classic barbecue sides, bring some variety to your plate with these recipes. Most of these are cooked on the grill, but some are cooked in the kitchen and are labelled with From the kitchen.

Whats a barbecue without a fresh salad, dips and sauces? These recipes have been created to sit alongside main and side dishes, and deliver on freshness and texture. Some are cooked on the barbecue, the rest are whipped up in the kitchen and have been labelled