Tifton Scene July 2022 | Page 36

| cooking : vegetarian bbq |

5 tips for hosting a vegetarian barbecue

During summer , the smell of barbecued food wafts through all the backyards in the neighborhood . If you ’ re a vegetarian or want to offer meatless options to your friends and family the next time you grill , try some of these tips .

1 . Take care with your vegetables . Wash and dry your veggies and cut them into uniformly sized pieces to ensure even cooking . Coat them with heat-resistant oil to prevent them from burning or sticking to the grill . food items en papillote by wrapping them in parchment . You may also want to consider adding a grilling basket or wok to your outdoor cooking arsenal . Use a cast-iron griddle on your barbecue to cook a la plancha .
4 . Diversify the flavors . In addition to serving a variety of vegetables , you can include meat substitutes like lentil patties , tofu burgers and sausages made with tempeh or textured vegetable protein ( TVP ). Cheeses like brie and halloumi are also delicious when grilled .
2 . Choose local , in-season produce . Your guests will appreciate the extra freshness and flavor of locally-grown veggies . Plus , you ’ ll feel good knowing you ’ ve supported producers in your community .
3 . Vary your cooking methods . If sliced thick enough or threaded on skewers , many foods can be cooked directly on the grill . However , you can cook small
5 . Prepare a dessert . Serve frozen treats combined with succulent fruit grilled on skewers . Pineapples , melons , bananas and peaches are excellent choices .
Visit a home supply store in your area to stock up on barbecue accessories and find the freshest produce at your local farmers ’ market . n
36 TiftonScene | JULY 2022