BBQ…An Aussie Tradition

To this day not a Friday goes by without my father firing up the barbeque to cook dinner for our extended brood.

Sure, it happens the world over, yet there is something about the weekend barbie that is quintessentially Australian. It seems like learning to char any and every cut of meat on a barbeque is part of every Australian’s official initiation to true blue citizenship.

That and learning how to swim from day dot safely in shark infested waters, knowing how much vegemite should really be spread on toast, mastering the abbreviation of every word possible, getting a little choked up on Anzac Day for either the soldiers we’re supposed to be remembering or your cricket team losing and the true tell tale sign of your down under spirit…lending a hand to a mate in need come rain, hail or shine.

Our Friday nights went something like this…dad firing up the barbie once the debacle of no gas in the cylinder was resolved, mum and I whipping up the salads, kids squealing and jumping in the pool, the dog barking like crazy trying to take part, the chooks freaking out at the dog’s antics, the fire pit ready for its first marshmallow offering, music blaring through the lounge room windows, cousins arriving with their pj’s and excitement, beach towels strewn all around the yard (not a dry one in sight), fairy lights glowing to match the noise and sparklers waiting patiently on the kitchen bench before eager little eyes.

Friday’s after school my daughter would be beside herself anticipation for what the evening would hold…the familiar comfort of Friday Night Party Nights!

I was told long ago, if you want your children to WANT to hang out at home when they’re teenagers, make the home environment more attractive than whatever is happening outside it. My daughter who is 16 this year will, 9 times out of 10, prefer to be home where the action is with her friends dropping by to join in. I can thank my dad for that.

One ‘secret’ morsel that graces dad’s barbeque on a regular basis is a recipe that has long been a source of debate in our family. The debate being over who actually created it. Being an uber 70’s appetiser, my guess is my Uncle Phil the barbeque king. My brother begs to differ.

For many family recipes around the world I am positive this is the case. We become very precious over recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. To receive certain cake or soup recipes from Great Granny on her death bed is reason enough to maintain confidentiality, but hey, it is only food. If food is the one historical ingredient proven to gather loved ones, why not share the best of them? I’m sure even Great Granny would approve.

While it is still without a name, (another element in our dragging debate!) everyone will be requesting ‘those bacon thingies’ for many shindigs to come…well maybe not your vegan friends.

Those Bacon Thingies

1 loaf of white bread
1 can of creamed corn
1 tub of cream cheese
A dozen or so of bacon rashers
Toothpicks

• Cut the crusts off the bread and slice in half to create rectangles.
• Mix the creamed corn and the cream cheese together in a large bowl.
• Slice the bacon length ways so each strip is approx 3cm wide and long enough to wrap around the bread once rolled.
• Simply spread the corn/cheese mix onto each strip of bread and roll the bread tightly into a mini wrap.
• Wrap a strip of bacon around the bread and secure with a toothpick.
• Barbeque them, turning regularly to avoid burning.

The aroma from these little beauties will have everyone huddled around the barbeque devouring them before they reach a plate. Those bacon thingies are truly a case minimum effort and maximum effect.

Michaela.

Tagged as: Michaela