Tips for my First Barbecue in the Garden, please?

I think the most important tip is to make sure you light the barbecue early and use plenty of charcoal and if you use anything to help get the fire going make sure it won't linger. Rule of thumb, if you can smel lit , you WILL taste it! The reason to light it well in advance is so that the fire is well established and burnt down, no naked flames, that's why I say use plenty of charcoal a) you don't want to have to add more once you start cooking and of course b) you don't want it to go out!

Best cooking tip, CHEAT! Stay away from British sausages, they contain so much fat they are a fire hazzard and will cause you nothing but heartache... Sausages need slow cooking and most Barbecues are too hot. Chicken is great, again in the interst of speed and safety, pre cook them, I poach them in milk ahead of schedule then marinate them in a favourite sauce.

Sneak them out onto the pit turn them a few times brushing them with spare sauce as you go. Fish Barbecues well, Swordfish or Tuna Steaks, As a starter King Prawns, I cook them in tin foil parcels , sprinkle the foil with salt, pepper and garlic salt, a few knows of butter and a sprinkle of lemon juice. Turn the parcels a couple of times and serve.

I use cocktail sticks and a couple of good dipping sauces, a hot spicy tomato one is best. Lots of salad dishes, dips and of course cold wine and beer. I hope this helps and you get good Barbecue weather.PS Keep one of those spray thye water bottles close just in case you get too much flame, of course a spray of beer works too and doesn't hurt the taste.

Enjoy!

Merlin covered most everything you need to know. However, be sure to have either hamburgers or hot dogs for the kids. They both cook really fast.

Light citren candles to keep some of the bugs at bay.

Lady-as you you know we Indians love it,we simply love grilled food, and a simple griller , (A big tray and iron rods to fix the things you want to grill) with wooden coal to heat it ,you can grill a lot many things from chicken to cheese and with home made pickles. Sure you can use your oven and electric griller but nothing to beat our home made griller to grill them just sitting with guests and doing it together. Have a happy party.cheers.

Rule of thumb, if you can smell it , you WILL taste it! 'and the rest of the neighbourhood will smell it too and be forced indoors and have their windows shut.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.