Gas or Coals - Which is the Better Barbecue

When you invite your friends over for a Sundayproduce noxious fumes and lots of smoke.
afternoon barbecue, you want to get it just right, soRecipe of the Day - Barbecue Ribs
how do you make sure that your barbecue will beIn this recipe, the type of rib is based on what is
the rave around town? This leads us to the eternalreferred as the American Barbecue Rib, which is
question - gas or coals - which is better for thatmainly available in our supermarket. If you required
backyard barbecue?ribs with more meat, you might need to see your
It is difficult to get a straight answer by asking yourlocal butcher for a special cut.
friends. Those who have gas will swear that theirThe serving quantity will depend on what else you
method is the new and improved version, with lesswill be serving and what you expect yourself and
mess, less fuss and more exact cooking. Those whoyour guests to consume.
have charcoal (or alternate solid fuel such as heatThis recipe also required that your barbecue store
beats) barbecues will scoff in the face of those whohas a cover such as a weber.
don't and question what the point of a barbecue isIngredients
without the taste of the smoke on the food (and1. 1 kg of American Barbecue Rib
the fun of the fire). So what do you choose if you2. 1 cup of Gourmet Barbecue Sauce
are buying your first Barbecue?3. Salt & Pepper to taste
If you prefer the idea of the outdoors experience,4. 1 packet of Hickory wood chip
the thrill of the fire or the macho sport of making aMethod
fire and then cooking over it, solid fuel based may be1. Mix the rib and gourmet barbecue sauce in tray;
the way for you. It does require more attention - ifadd salt & pepper to taste. Cover the tray and
you don't catch it when its right, your perfectly grilledrefrigerate it overnight.
pork chop, could end up looking like a burnt chop.2. Soak half of the wood chip in water for at least an
If, however, you prefer the idea of simple and lesshour prior to cooking. Mix the soaked and dried wood
stressful cooking with more predictable results, gochip and bag them using aluminium foil. May sure it is
for gas. The grill is ready when you are - you justnot too thin. Use a thin sharp knife to poke holes into
turn the nob. You don't have to light the fire andone side of the bag. Prepare this only when the store
there are no ashes to chuck out afterwards.as described in Step 3 below is ready.
Interestingly, there is not much else to choose3. Once your barbecue store is read, preferably after
between in terms of the gas versus charcoal issue.the flame has reached pass its peak to allow a slow
Tests done on the cooked results of both barbecuecooking process, place the bag of the wood chip
types, have revealed that there is no significantright onto of the heat beats or charcoal (if solid fuel
difference in the flavours of food cooked on gas orbarbecue stove is used) otherwise place it on the
solid fuel based barbecues. This is mostly true forside but on top of a gas burner, make sure not to
hamburgers or chicken. Items such as a roast,smother the flame.
however, which require longer cooking time, thus4. Rub the marinating sauce all over the ribs again and
allowing more time for the smoke to penetrate thebrush them with some cooking oil. Place it on the
food, have been said to taste better on the on solidbarbecue stove and close the cover. Adjust the air
fuel based grill.hole/gas mark to low to allow an hour of slow
The majority of barbecue owners own a gas grill andcooking.
love it. They have more features than you would5. After 30 minutes, turn the rib over but do not
ever use. This can be a negative selling point as well.leave the lid uncover for too long.
Solid fuel based grills are cheaper, although they are6. Once it is cooked, cut them into bite size pieces
being developed with more and more features.and serve it as appetizer or as main meal with some
Charcoal grill owners find a certain satisfaction out ofmore barbecue sauce.
conquering the barbecue and being the big machoIf you couldn't find any gourmet barbecue sauce,
man of the party. And let's face it, what barbecuehere is a good recipe. Mix the following together:
cook-off contestant would ever be caught dead1. 1/2 cup of worcestershire sauce
using a gas grill!2. 1/2 cup of honey
If you are environmentally aware, gas barbecues3. Blend a slice of ginger, 3 small onions and 2 garlic
may be the better option for you. They use naturalcloves
products - propane or natural gas and are only mildly4. Add 6 macadamia nuts into the blending
noxious. Solid fuel based grills on the other hand,5.