But with talk of Christmas starting to creep in and temperatures dropping accordingly, we need to make the most of the end of the summer. What better excuse than the great British bank holiday weekend?
Whether you've been eating from the BBQ all summer or need to dust it down for the occasion, make sure you get some outdoor grilling in this weekend. Decide on how big an occasion it is (are you just cooking for yourself or a group of friends?) and start the menu planning from there.
Fortunately, for the avid chef, it isn't just about the obligatory burgers and sausages any more. There's amazing inspiration to go at for recipes, quality of ingredients and cooking style. In fact, BBQs can be run like an informal, outdoor dinner party - complete with a 3-course menu - all cooked outside.
You can even select a theme. Mexican, Spanish, Italian or Chinese are just a few that can be adapted for the BBQ, giving your guests a great talking point and a food style to focus on. Add in some garden decorations to fit the theme and go crazy with accessories like sombreros, castanets or chopsticks.
For the food, let's start with the starter. There's no need to seat yourself (or your guests); the best starters are those presented like substantial canapés. Offer a good choice of complementing tastes and flavours and let people enjoy them over an aperitif and a good chat.
Some sort of grilled tiger prawn, cheese-inspired skewer or toasted bread delight (with toppings or dips) will go down a treat. Offer them on plates, beautifully presented, and let your guests enjoy them one at a time.
A good BBQ can be all about the finger food - and that doesn't mean unsubstantial nibbles. It means great tasting food that can be easily enjoyed without any hassle.
The same goes for the main course too. But, if you'd like to sit round the table at this stage, then go for it. Buffet-style is well within the BBQ rule book. You can really explore with flavours and textures here, but don't restrict yourself to just meat and fish. There's an ever-increasing selection of vegetable-inspired delights out there too.
Use lots of herbs and spices to create some taste sensations and try kebabs, salads and homemade burgers. You could really show-off and present a whole joint of meat including fillet, pork loin or butterflied lamb. And what about a whole salmon marinated for hours and presented straight off the coals and still in the foil, ready for people to help themselves?
The potential to create a stunning BBQ feast is endless.
Whatever you do, don't hold back on the dessert. There's nothing quite like some sugary, sticky, cinnamon-coated fruit that's been chargrilled to perfection. Pineapple is a well-known favourite and teams perfectly with strawberries, ice cream or crème fraîche. Try some fruit kebabs to dip in to melted chocolate or serve with vanilla cream. Or simply toast marshmallows.
The BBQ opportunities really are endless and you can be as adventurous or traditional as you choose. Nothing beats al fresco dining (when the weather's good) and we need to make the most of the opportunities we have to cook and eat outside. It creates a social excitement all of its own.
Don't miss out on the bank holiday BBQ opportunity. To tempt you even more, here's a great selection of recipes, all tailor-made for outdoor grilling.
Good luck and enjoy!
