From appetizer to dessert: a menu that’s 100% BBQ   

Enjoy summer to the max with our 100% BBQ menu—whether you’re on your balcony, in your backyard, or at the cottage! From appetizer to dessert, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the delicious dishes you can make using only your grill!

Grilled melon gazpacho, butterflied Greek chicken, warm grilled veggie salad, and of course, a decadent chocolate-berry pie . . . discover our summer menu featuring in-season ingredients!

Make room for veggies

Set the tone for the evening by starting with a tasty, one-of-a-kind appetizer, like our grilled melon gazpacho. Our version of this Spanish cold soup is packed with flavour and freshness! Elevate the recipe by adding some Serrano ham chips, mascarpone cheese, or a few mint or parsley leaves as garnish.

You can also make the most of your BBQ by grilling up a selection of in-season veggies; eggplant, zucchini, corn, baby potatoes, and green peppers are but a few of July’s star ingredients. Plus they can be prepared (and enjoyed!) a million different ways! For a savoury backyard snack, try making this Trois fois par jour salsa featuring grilled corn, cucumber, feta, and pesto. Served with grilled pita chips or corn tortillas . . . it’s the perfect summertime snack! If you want to spice things up, add some hot peppers or green tomatillos to the recipe, and you’ll be having a fiesta in no time!

Dips are delicious during happy hour! Impress your guests with grilled eggplant caviar. It’s sophisticated and oh-so-simple! Slice your eggplant in two lengthwise, cook it en papillote on the BBQ, then scoop out the flesh when done. Season with garlic, thyme, and cumin, and right before serving, drizzle with olive oil, and top with pomegranate seeds or chopped black olives. Enjoy!

Crazy for chicken!

Have you ever tried making butterflied, or flattened chicken on the BBQ? This technique consists of flattening the chicken by cutting through the backbone, thus reducing the cooking time and resulting in crispy and golden pieces. Although this method is most often used for making that famous Portuguese chicken everyone loves, it’s easy to adapt to a variety of other tastes and flavours, such as Greek or Korean. Here are a few tips for a tasty chicken every time: 

• Make sure to fold the wings under the breast so they don’t burn.
• Serve your butterflied chicken with individual dipping sauces such as sriracha mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, pesto sauce, maple-mustard sauce, yogurt and fresh herbs, etc.
• Cook your butterflied chicken over indirect heat, for a juicy and tender finish.

Grilled sides

Have you made every side salad imaginable and are ready for something new? You can revisit some of your favourite classics and think up fresh ideas using only your BBQ. A Quebec-made cheese you can grill makes an excellent addition to a simple garden salad. Or you can grill romaine lettuce hearts for a tasty take on the classic Caesar salad! Another great idea is to simply grill up some peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms, for a simple, yet succulent warm salad. Switch things up by adding olives, cheese, chickpeas, or garlic croutons to the mix.

For a restaurant-worthy side that pairs perfectly with your grilled meat or fish, try this red pepper-almond sauce. It’s also delicious drizzled over grilled eggplant and onions . . . success guaranteed!

You can even get your budding chefs involved by asking them to help you toast some homemade naan bread on the BBQ—the perfect accompaniment to main course salads or tandoori shrimp skewers!

Pretty pie

Berries are bountiful and delicious this time of year, and they make the most decadent of desserts! Looking for a yummy berry treat you can make on the BBQ? Well look no further! Try this mouth-watering raspberry and dark chocolate pie! This easy-to-make pie can be prepared the night before and stored at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat and top with vanilla ice cream. And you can swap out the raspberries for whatever berries you have in your fridge (blueberries would be delish!).

Tips for baking pies on the BBQ:

• Don’t place your pie directly on the grill. Lay it on a baking sheet, piece of aluminum foil, or an aluminum dish flipped upside down.
• Bake your pie over indirect heat and close the lid of your BBQ.

Tried this recipe and loved it? Now try making it with some of your other favourite summer fruit: prunes, apricots, cherries, peaches . . . no matter the fruit, this pie is sure to always end the evening on a sweet note!

A 100% BBQ menu is a great get-together idea and the ideal way to enjoy summer evenings to the max!