10 THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH
The Good Food team focuses on barbecue basics and preserving. Plus, Emma Crawforth from BBC Gardeners’ World offers planting advice
1
BE BARBECUE-READY
DEGREASE THE GRILL
We’ve all been there: you pull out your barbecue for the first time in summer, only to find the remnants of last year’s efforts still clinging to the bars. Before you even think about cooking, take some time to get organised and clean up. Remove all dust from the bottom of the grill and give the bars a deep clean using a wire brush. If your barbecue has vents, a build-up of grease and fat can make them stiff, so rinse these with plenty of hot, soapy water, then lightly oil them. Get out your barbecue tools and run these through the dishwasher, too, if you can. All this is best done at the end of the outdoor cooking season, so plan ahead this year.
2
MAKE A SHOPPING LIST
ESSENTIAL BUYS FOR JULY
• Ice lolly moulds Freeze smoothies in moulds to keep kids refreshed all summer
• Pomegranate or date molasses Drizzle over griddled veg or use in salad dressing
• Cured meats and charcuterie Serve on a platter with ripe figs, honey and breadsticks
• Good coffee Pour a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of ice cream for a quick affogato
3
PRESERVE THE SEASON
FREEZE SOFT FRUIT
Utilise your freezer and be prepared for any occasion.
Frozen grapes make a great snack and are especially refreshing on warm days. You can also get ahead on frozen summer cocktails by freezing watermelon in chunks, and prep morning smoothies by freezing leftover berries and chopped bananas. Simply blitz together in a blender for a meal on the go – no ice required.
4
USE UP A GLUT
COURGETTES
If there’s one vegetable that defines ‘glut’, it’s the courgette. Don’t despair, though: there’s plenty more to do with them than simply giving them away to friends. Look for these clever ideas on bbcgoodfood.com:
• Courgette & orange cake Courgette martinis
• Crunchy courgette pickle
• Courgette & tomato chutney
5
HAVE A CLEAR-OUT
THE STORAGE CONTAINER DRAWER
Always overcrowded, never organised and absolutely full of mismatched lids, the container drawer is always in need of organisation. With a new school term on the horizon, now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and get that pest of a job sorted once and for all. Give everything a good clean and arrange it so the most-used items are near the front, then chuck out or repurpose any with cracks or lingering smells. You’ll thank yourself come September.