Put the kids to bed, stick a couple of extra logs on the fire and enjoy a decadent bonfire feast just for adults…
Take your bonfire celebrations to another level and try cooking on a fire. Here are FOODLOVERs top tips on rustling up a feast over flame…
Be prepared
Have your fire at optimum temperature, a healthy supply of fuel nearby and all your utensils and ingredients before you start cooking. Make sure everything is within arm’s reach and you have enough firewood or coals to last you the evening.
Make a station
If cooking outside, allocate an area to be a prep station. You always need somewhere to chop ingredients, put down pans or serve your guests from. A selection of chopping boards and a flat surface is always useful.
Be patient
Depending on weather conditions, a fire can take anything from 30 to 45 minutes to burn down to embers and become optimum cooking temperature. Start with wood, then add coals, before allowing to burn down to smouldering embers – you can then add a small amount of firewood for a little flame.
Don’t cook directly over a blazing flame
Placing food directly over a flame will only result in burnt food – achieve the ‘smouldering embers’ before you start cooking. Boil water, roast meat or grill vegetables using a suspended grill or parcel up your ingredients in foil and place directly into the hot coals.
Try not to overcook
Cooking over fire can involve a bit of guesswork when it comes to temperatures, however, generally, you are working over very high heat that cooks food quite fiercely. Remove your food from the heat a little prematurely and allow plenty of time to rest and cool. If you need to keep things warm simply wrap in foil.