Around the world of BBQ #9 - In 2021, Kokko continues its "around the world of BBQ" to discover the history of grilling, smoking, roasting through different gastronomies. For this ninth stage, prepare your surfboard and your cooler, we are heading to the land of kangaroos: Australia. Put on your gloves, heat the charcoal and install the grates: let's go!
Australia and barbecue culture
In Australia, it's safe to say that the barbecue, or rather the Barbie as it's known there, is everywhere, absolutely everywhere. BBQ is a true national sport, a moment of sharing and conviviality, an institution; in short, it's an integral part of Australian culture. Indeed, if you don't see a garden or balcony without a barbecue, BBQ parties also often take place outdoors in public places.
Indeed, unlike the Scandinavian Kota grill, in Australia, people gather throughout the year in parks and gardens to prepare and enjoy a barbecue. As a result, many public spaces, in cities or by the sea, are equipped with barbecues, most often electric or gas-powered due to the fire risks associated with traditional charcoal barbecues. Once the meal is over, it's time to clean up. Australians are very keen on respecting these shared spaces, leaving them as clean as they found them. In fact, their trick for cleaning the cooking plate is to pour beer on it while it's still hot!
At Kokko, we have other solutions for the maintenance of your kamado: Brush and stainless steel cleaning spray, magic cleaning cubes, protective coveretc... So you can keep your barbecue clean and your beer cold ;)
What do you cook on the Barbie?
Australian gastronomy is rich, varied, and influenced by cuisines from all over the world. Even though Australians have a soft spot for meat and seafood, everything is cooked on the Barbie! Here's an overview of the most popular barbecue dishes in Australia.
Steaks... of kangaroo or emu!
In the Australian gastronomic tradition, wild animals typical of the country hold a major place in the kitchen, and on the barbecue. While the kangaroo is Australia's totem animal, it's not just found on postcards or souvenirs for tourists. It's also found on the plate, most often cut into steak and marinated in the sauce of your choice. And yes, in Australia, it's impossible to prepare meat on the barbecue without accompanying it with sauce. And in this area, the choice is vast, very vast indeed, as there are nearly a hundred commercially available! Another essential meat for the Barbie is emu. This bird, which can measure up to 2 meters, closely resembles an ostrich. Its very red meat is a highly appreciated dish in Australia during BBQ parties.
Note that meat is very often smoked to give it an authentic taste. Find our guide to smoking with the Kokko
Sausages, whether beef, chicken, or even crocodile.
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.
Generally, sausages, meat, and seafood are accompanied by vegetable patties, themselves cooked on the barbecue.
BBQ toast
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 responsible for bringing the drinks. Most often, the Barbie is accompanied by beer or delicious Australian wines.
Australians are therefore very fond of barbecue and as in South Africa, they usually celebrate their national holiday (Australia Day, January 26) by feasting with family and friends around the Barbie.
