BBQ World Tour #9 - In 2021, Kokko continues its "BBQ World Tour" to discover the history of grilling, smoking and roasting through different gastronomies. For this ninth stopover, get your surfboard and cooler ready, as we head for the land of kangaroos: Australia. Put on your gloves, heat up the charcoal and set up the grills: off you go!
Australia's barbecue culture
In Australia, barbecue - or rather Barbie, as it's known - is everywhere, absolutely everywhere. The BBQ is a veritable national sport, a moment of sharing and conviviality, an institution- in short, it's an integral part of Australian culture. Indeed, if you can't find a garden or balcony without a barbecue, BBQ parties are often held outdoors in public places.
Unlike the Scandinavian Scandinavian kota grillIn Australia, people gather in parks and gardens all year round to prepare and enjoy a barbecue. Many public spaces in cities and by the sea are equipped with barbecues, usually electric or gas, because of the fire risks associated with traditional charcoal barbecues. Once the meal is over, it's time to clean up. Australians are very particular about respecting these common spaces, and leaving the place as clean as they found it when they arrived. In fact, their trick for stripping the hob is to pour beer over it while it's still hot!
What's cooked on the Barbie?
Australian gastronomy is rich, varied and influenced by cuisines from all over the world. Even if Australians have a soft spot for meat and seafood, in Barbie, everything is cooked! Here's an overview of the most popular barbecued dishes in Australia.
Kangaroo or emu steaks!
In the Australian gastronomic tradition, the country's typical wild animals play an important role in the kitchen and on the barbecue. The kangaroo may be Australia's totem animal, but it's not just found on postcards and tourist souvenirs. It can also be found on the plate, most often cut into steaks and marinated in the sauce of your choice. Yes, in Australia you can't barbecue meat without a sauce. And when it comes to sauces, the choice is vast - in fact, there are almost a hundred to choose from! Another must-have Barbie meat is emu. This bird can measure up to 2 meters and closely resembles an ostrich. Its very red meat is a much-appreciated delicacy at Australian BBQ parties.
Note that the meat is often smoked to give it an authentic taste. See our guide to Kokko smoking
Beef, chicken or crocodile sausages
In Australia, the variety of sausages available from butchers and supermarkets is impressive, and their flavours are astonishing. Among the country's specialties are beef sausages with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken sausages with ginger, honey, lime, chilli or even cheese! Of course, kangaroo and crocodile sausages are also available! This white, stringy meat is a typical Australian dish, often found on the menu.
Typically, sausages, meat and seafood are served with vegetable patties, which are then barbecued.
BBQ sandwiches
A children's favourite, sliced bread is often part of Australian barbecues. The recipe, which is a little special, consists in cutting a circle in the centre of the slice, buttering it, placing it on the barbecue grill and then cracking an egg through the hole. After grilling it on one side, turn it over to toast it on the other, and enjoy it while it is still hot!
When sharing a barbecue, guests are in charge of bringing back the drinks. Barbie is usually accompanied by beer or delicious Australian wines.
Australians love to barbecue and, as in South Africa as in South Africathey celebrate their national holiday (Australia Day, January 26) by feasting with family and friends around the Barbie.
