Beer Can Chicken And 9 Other Unusual Ways To BBQ

If the heat’s got you beaten for kitchen action this summer, there’s never been a better time to move it outside for some alfresco fun. Lorded as the enviable ‘lifestyle experience’ Australia revels in 3 seasons of the year, outdoor eating isn’t just a sensible way of keeping house heat down - it’s enjoyable, often highly creative and facilitates a great social experience.

And listen up all discerning hosts/outdoor cuisiniers…best of all, you don’t need that plethora of outdoor apparatus so commonly marketed as a ‘must-have’. Your good old hooded gas barbeque will serve just fine in place of a wood fired pizza oven, paella burner, spit roaster and general hot top. And results can be equally flavoursome and satisfying - if not more so - given the added creativity you’ve afforded your cooking art.

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  Perfect Paella by The Macadames
  The crowd pleasing easy peasy one pan dish that'll leave you wonding why you don't do dinner this way all the time.
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  Stovetop Pizza by Fuss Free Cooking
  No need for a a pizza oven you can have that authentic crispy stone-baked base and delicious smokey taste on the BBQ.
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  Whole BBQ Snapper by A Fresh Legacy
  BBQs were made for whole baked fish. Easy prep and a stylish way to impress a crowd.
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  Oysters in Lemon Leaves by Emiko Davies
  Oysters can be cooked in their shells on the BBQ, this variant uses lemon leaves to add extra flavour and retain moisture.
• 
  Quesadillas by A Swoonful of Sugar
  Fast and super versatile, simple quesadillas work wonderfully on the BBQ grill.
• 
  Rosemary and Cheese Damper by The Lemon Grove Cake Diaries
  That Aussie institution, the damper loaf need no rising time and lends itself well to sweet or savoury variants.
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  Grilled Peaches by Boy and Spoon
  Don't forget dessert can be chucked on the grill and done in a jiffy too, summer fruits are amazing done this way.
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  Salt Dough Chicken by Alana Bread
  Don't just bake outdoors, put your roast inside a double oven to retain moisture and flavours.
• 
  Hazelnut and Nutella Skillet Brownies by Kat Cakes
  Cast iron skillet pans work well on a gas bbq, and what better excuse to experiment than giant brownies?

And the pièce de résistance …

Beer Can Chicken. Yep, around a third of a can of beer, carefully placed can and all inside the chicken cavity, roasted tripod style on the barbie.

Apart from the comical entertainment of an upright bird and its apparant propensity for ale, done correctly beer-can roast chicken gives an evenly roasted crispy exterior and moist, flavoursome interior.

The Aussie food blogosphere is awash with variants on this style of BBQ roast, so personalise to perfection with spice rubs and bastings galore. Here’s a classic rosemary, thyme & lemon recipe courtesy of Em’s Food For Friends.

Whet your appetite?

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