Summer sunshine, long days and smiley faces. Its time to de-rust the barbecue tools and stock up on the charcoal. Some of the best days out and best summer parties can be those spontaneous events when you wake up to blue skies and decide to head off with the kids, a picnic blanket, some sausages or burgers and a portable barbecue.

Many local authorities have special picnic and barbecue sites which often have other amenities such as loos and maybe a visiting ice cream van. The great thing about these sites is that there are fixed barbecues so you just take along your charcoal and there is lots of space so you can invite a gang of friends along – great for summer birthday parties! Take a look at your local council web site to find out what is on offer in your area.

Don’t forget to take some garden toys: a game of rounders, cricket, quoits, football. Special days like this cost very little and everyone goes home grubby and tired but happy.

Tasty Barbecue Recipes – taken from Real Food For Kids by Rachael Anne Hill

Chicken Burgers
Serves 4
2 tbspns olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stick, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, minced
100g carrot, grated
1 tbspn finely grated orange zest
1-2 tbspns chopped parsley
50g sultanas or dried cranberries
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tbspns wholemeal flour for coating
Salt and pepper
Heat the oil in a frying pan and add onion, celery and garlic. Fry until soft. Transfer to a large bowl and add chicken, carrot, orange zest, parsley, dried fruit, salt, pepper and egg.
Using damp hands, shape the mixture into burger shapes. Evenly coat the burgers with flour.
Chill in the fridge or freeze until needed.

Beef Burgers
Makes 8 burgers
350g minced steak
1 small onion, chopped
50g courgettes, grated
1 tbspn chopped parsley or sage
Pepper
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix with hands. Shape into 8 balls and flatten slightly. Chill or freeze until needed.

Nut Burgers
Serves 4-6
225g mixed unsalted nuts
2 tbspns olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
75g mushrooms, chopped
1 small yellow pepper, chopped
100g breadcrumbs
100g carrot, grated
1 tbspn chopped parsley
2-3 sage leaves
1 egg beaten
Flour for coating
Salt and pepper
Place nuts in a food processor and chop. Heat 1 tbspn oil in a frying pan and add onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add mushrooms and peppers and cool for 3 mins. Remove from the heat and mix in all other ingredients except flour and oil. Use hands to make burger shapes and coat evenly with flour. Chill or freeze until needed.

Vegetable Burgers
Serves 6
2-3 tbspns sunflower oil
1 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
100g mushrooms, chopped
100g unsalted cashew nuts, chopped
100g cooked brown rice
150g carrot, grated
50g cooked peas
50g cooked sweetcorn
50g breadcrumbs
5-6 tbspns flour
1 tbspn chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
Heat 1 tbspn of oil in a saucepan. Add onion and garlic and fry until soft. Add mushrooms and cook for about 5 mins... Remove pan from heat and add nuts, rice, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, breadcrumbs, 1-2 tbspns flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Using damp hands shape into burger shapes. Coat evenly with flour. Chill or freeze until needed.

Toasted Marshmallows
Wooden skewers
Bag of marshmallows – not those tiny ones
Thread 2 or 3 marshmallows onto the end of a skewer. Hold the skewer over glowing embers until the outside of the mallows is crisp.
Be careful as the inside can be very hot and sticky.
Be careful not to eat too many!

BBQ Safety Advice from the Fire Service web site

The Facts.

Each and every summer family barbecue's are brought into the garden and can be great fun. They can also become potentially dangerous when mixed with carelessness, especially alcohol. Every year, we warn people that the combination of a party atmosphere, drink flowing freely, children dashing around and an open fire can quickly cause a tragic accident.

Some essential safety points are:

• Always site a barbecue on a firm, level base sheltered from gusts of wind and well away from anything flammable, such as garden sheds, garages, fences, shrubs and so-on.


• Do not hold makeshift barbecues in woods or fields.


• Have at least one bucket of water handy at all times, just in case.


• Never use any flammable liquid, such as petrol, to start a barbecue. Only use recommended firelighters or fluids, following the manufacturer’s instructions.


• Do not allow barbecues to burst into flames or burn fiercely.


• Never wear loose, flowing clothes when tending a barbecue and tie long hair back.


• Ensure that children are kept well away from barbecues – their fascination and curiosity can easily lead to a dreadful accident.


• Consuming alcohol and cooking with a barbecue don’t mix. If you are the ‘chef’, please take responsibility and avoid indulging in drinks until your cooking duties are completed!


• After cooking, allow embers to cool completely before disposing of them. Pour water over them to be absolutely sure