Jonathan Uptin
BBQ TIPS + TRICKS
BBQs have always been synonymous with the summer
season and for Nine News Regional Queensland
presenter, Jonathan Uptin, this is one of his favourite
pastimes. Here is a list of Jonno’s BBQ tips and tricks to
get you through the festive season.
Buy good quality meat: In Australia, we are so lucky to
be spoilt for choice with fresh produce from our fantastic
Aussie farmers. That’s why when I am cooking I stock
up on quality Australian meat from my local butcher and
grocer.
Soak your wooden skewers in water: If you’re like me
and always burn your wooden skewers, I have a great
tip for you. A mate told me to submerge the skewers in
water before adding the meat and veggies, this way the
water stop the skewers from burning. If you have the time
I recommend leaving the skewers in the water for around
20-30 minutes.
Turning the meat: So, my kids like their BBQ meat well
done but not chewy - tough ask, I say! To really nail this
request, I find it’s best to only turn the meat once. I leave it
to cook for a 5 or 10 minutes on the grill and close the lid.
To poke or not to poke?: I am not going to lie, I have been
guilty of giving my meat a little poke, to check if it’s cooked
from time to time. The best advice I was given was to not
poke the meat as it lets the natural juices out. This leads
me to my next point…
Rest your meat: Although your family and friends may be
hungry, it’s best to let your meat rest for a few minutes
before serving. I do this to ensure my meat is juicy and
cooked through. Once I know everyone is ready to sit down
and enjoy, I cut the meat!
BBQ Pineapple and Mango: Okay, so this one is a little
controversial but I love to BBQ pineapple and Mango
slices. It’s a healthy way to add flavour to your meals and
it gives an added burst of summer to the tastebuds. It also
makes for a great way to liven up the classic fruit salad.
Catch Jonathan Uptin, co-presenter of Nine News
Regional Queensland, at 6pm each weeknight.
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