Sizzling barbecue ideas

Is there a healthier alternative?

The answer is yes! Why not try stacking the barbie plate with some delicious plant-based foods? It will give your family and friends an opportunity to enjoy a great-tasting, nourishing meal, packed with the goodness plant-foods offer.

Tasty meatless barbecue ideas

• Tofu is perfect for the barbecue, and there are plenty of ways to serve it:
  
  • Marinate sliced firm tofu in a mild red curry paste, or pesto sauce for an hour before barbecuing.
    
  • Thread tofu cubes on skewers with capsicum, pineapple and zucchini.
    
  • Marinate for an hour in a mixture of soy sauce, crushed garlic and grated ginger.
    
  • Pre-marinated tofu is available from most supermarkets in a wide variety of flavours.
  
  
• Throw a cob of corn in its husk on a hot barbecue for 10 to 15 minutes or until kernels are tender. Peel back the husk and enjoy.
  
• Try cooking fresh asparagus, sliced zucchini, rounds of eggplant, large field mushrooms or tomatoes, sprinkled with chopped garlic, fresh herbs and a little olive oil.
  
• You can buy vegetarian sausages and other tasty meat-alternatives in most large supermarkets.
  
• Slice potato or kumara, sprinkle with a little salt and olive oil and cook until golden and crispy.
  
• For a special occasion, try barbecuing sliced haloumi cheese. This delicious Greek cheese is available from supermarkets and goes a lovely golden brown colour when cooked. It is very salty, so it's best to serve a small amount as a starter with barbecued asparagus, red capsicum and corn on the cob, or as part of a salad.

What about dessert?

Summer brings an abundance of fruit that are delicious when barbecued.

• Sprinkle fresh peach and nectarine halves with a little brown sugar and cook until caramelised.
  
• Pineapple, mango and apple slices are delicious barbecued and served with natural or vanilla yoghurt.
  
• Make fruit kebabs and grill. Serve warm with a honey yoghurt dip.