Time for a spot of al fresco (From Gazette & Herald)

Time for a spot of al fresco

This week (May 19-26) is National BBQ Week, the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy a bit of al fresco dining. So, in this week's column, we look at sites to help you prepare the perfect outdoor feast.

BBQ Week 2003 - http://www.national-bbq-week.co.uk - Rating 3/5

This is the official site of the National BBQ Week 2003, organised by the National Barbecue Association. You will find barbecue facts as well as information on roadshows and events taking place throughout the summer. There is also a section on tips and recipes, with some interesting suggestions, but as they revolve around particular brands and products, there is not as wide a variety as on other sites.

Barbecue Online - http://www.barbecue-online.co.uk - Rating 4/5

This site has a variety of features, including a large selection of recipes divided into sections such as appetisers, chicken, seafood, vegetables, sauces and desserts. There is also a section where readers can send in their own recipes and tips, as well as sections on equipment and on general tips for making your barbecue go smoothly. The site has an additional feature, which allows you to send e-mail cards to your friends, inviting them to your party.

The Barbecue Grillhttp://www.barbecue-grill.co.uk - Rating 3/5

This is a collection of discussion forums for barbecue enthusiasts. There is a section for swapping recipes as well as message boards about equipment and events. This is a simple, no-frills site with no features other than the forum, but it might be a good place to try if you want advice on a particular aspect of barbecuing or on cooking a certain type of food.

The British Barbecue Pit - http://www.britishbarbecue.co.uk - Rating 4/5

You will find a large collection of recipes on this site. A further archive of over 2,000 recipes is available, but you will need to download a viewer (free of charge) in order to read them. There is a lot of information on the site, such as the history of barbecuing, the different types of barbecues available, recommended cooking temperatures, and a special section for beginners.

Weber - http://www.weber.com - Rating 4/5

This site has a variety of exotic barbecue recipes, including a good selection of desserts. There is also a 'Grilling 101' section which gives advice on all aspects of barbecueing. The site is clearly presented, and you can create your own recipe file, or sign up to receive new recipes by e-mail. However, some of the information on the rest of the site relates to the Weber brand of products in particular.

Food Standards Agency - http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/hygcampaign/summer_eating/

- Rating 4/5

On a more serious note, this site gives you advice on cooking food safely on the barbecue, and also when preparing food for picnics. You can watch the Food Standards Agency advert on safe barbecuing, and even take a quiz to see whether your knowledge is up to scratch.

Just for fun: Funny Juggler.com - http://www.funnyjuggler.com/juggling/

If the venue for your barbecue has plenty of space, you might like to have a go at some of the tricks on this site while you're waiting for the food. There are instructions for basic juggling, with animations to help you make sense of it all, as well as tricks for the more advanced juggler.

Do you have your own favourite site, or is there a particular subject area you think should be covered? Let us know, and we will try and include it in a future column.

Updated: 16:45 Thursday, May 22, 2003