The FastDay Forum

As the weather finally begins to warm up (only a little!) here in Wales, we're looking forward to our barbecue season.
This year, we won't be overloading on the carbs as side salads (no potatoes in home made mayo no pasta in home made pesto no rice in my own sweet chilli sauce )

Instead, in come the healthy options, such as home made slaws in a fat free yogurt.

As we have so many from all around the world, can you please suggest some side salads to serve with our barbes please...

[janeg]

I find that the lettuce goes black and crispy if I barbeque it. Sorry, I'll get my coat...

Salads have no place at a barbecue - it's a meat thing

I'm glad you asked this as we are planning a barbecue on Monday. I don't want to go overboard either. Jacket potatoes on the grill are better than potato salad, so I'll do that, but also want something else to go on the side. I do love a good Greek salad.

Salads have no place at a barbecue - it's a meat thing

Yeah!!!
And what's wrong with taytoes in mayo? Surely a little of everything is ok?

Loads of Mixed lettuce with cubed roasted beetroot, cubed feta, thinly sliced red onion and a few chopped walnuts sprinkled over.

Bake a sweet potato in tin foil, slice it down the middle and squeeze in lemon juice. Serve warm.

Marinade aubergine, red peppers and courgette (all thinly sliced) in olive oil and garlic, and grill.
(If you're up for feasting, roll up some blue cheese or soft goats cheese in the grilled aubergine).

Proper tabbouleh - bucket loads of chopped flatleaf parsley and mint, finely chopped spring onion, some tomatoes and lots of lemon peel, no pith, chopped up in a lemony and olive oil dressing. I love lemons so usually add preserved lemons too! Remember to add a tiny bit of cracked wheat, soaked in boiling water for 20 mins and well drained, about a tenth of the volume of the mint and parsley, and not couscous! It goes down a storm! Roast an aubergine on the barby, until it's charred and soft, scoop out the flesh and mix with yogurt and lemon juice for a low cal delight (season to taste with salt, cumin if liked).

How about the Hairy Dieters Bulgur Wheat salad with extra tomatoes, some avocado (I know I know) and some pine nuts. Or the veg part of their Spanish chicken, served warm?

I made the Hairy Bikers Spanish Chicken mostly on the grill as my oven is out of commission. It was really, really good and fresh tasting. I'm finding I can do most everything on the Barbie using a perforated pizza pan!