Family Dining Al Fresco

It’s time to make the most of sunny evenings with outdoor dinners

OUR terrace in the garden is a favourite family spot. It’s fascinating that we can spend hours outside chatting and eating, while indoors we sometimes grab a plate and run. I love the ritual of setting the table outdoors and even cutting some flowers or herbs from the garden to make it feel special. Eating outside is always such a treat so the effort matches the occasion.

As a family, though, we rarely use a barbecue. I just cook normally and then take the food outside. I suppose it’s showing my Italian roots. I’ve always wanted my husband Victor to build a barbecue, but sadly, he’s not a DIY kind of man. He has many other qualities, so I’m not complaining.

Occasionally, when I was feeding the girls after school, and it was just the three of us, I’d pull out a disposable barbecue. The sun would be out and those paddling pool moments would be crying out. Very happy memories.

I always keep a spare disposable barbecue in the house – I’ve still got one from about five years ago and I’ve no idea when I’ll be able to use it. They are tiny and just enough for one burger each and maybe a wee chipolata if you’re lucky.

Once they’ve heated up it really takes no time to cook a burger. Given the size of my family now, though, and having Nonna living with us full time, I’ll probably need three to feed the six of us! So, I’m back in the oven with oven gloves ready to run out to the terrace. Thank goodness for weather apps. It really does help with planning our dinning arrangements.

During Covid-19, when we’ve been doing Contini at Home deliveries, we’re usually home about 7-8pm. Saturday night has become our burger night, and this is how I make them using 100% meat. The burgers stay super juicy and they are really fast to make. Exactly what you need after a busy day when all the family have been working.

While we don’t eat these outside, the recipe is so simple it works inside or outside. Oven or barbecue. Over to you!