Our Bank Holiday BBQ - the etiquette of last minute alfresco dining

An unexpected sunny Bank Holiday Weekend has seen many of us Brits hosting a last minute, impromptu barbecue or picnic, making the most of the late summer alfresco dining opportunity. We were no exception. We decided to dust off the barbecue and gather the family to enjoy vegan burgers, sweetcorn, chips and dips and salads in the sunshine. A lovely way to spend the day with good food and good company before the kids go back to school next week.

Sainsbury's have been looking into the nation's attitudes to alfresco dining and have asked 2000 people about their outdoor dining habits. The results found that 90% of those asked consider themselves to be good guests at friends' and family barbecues. 45% would never muscle in on the barbecue cooking uninvited, 35% will top up drinks for other guests and 32% consider dressing up as a top attribute for attending a summer event. However, 60% of those asked said that they enjoyed the relaxed attitude that comes with picnicking and barbecues, suggesting that fun wins out over formality and we are happy to throw out the etiquette rule book. We definitely enjoy kicking back and having fun with our food!

There are of course some annoyances associated with eating outdoors. Worrying about the unpredictable British Weather (78%), not having enough seating (69%), not knowing how many people to cater for (63%) and the fear of animals or seagulls stealing the food (60%) are among the top peeves when it comes to hosting a BBQ. Although for us it was the wasps, which were our biggest annoyance, sending the kids running for safety several times with the black and yellow buzzers chasing after them! A definite downside of being outdoors.

The other concern that seems to affect us when dining alfresco is how to fit all the guests, the bowls and plates of food and the condiments around the table. Sainsbury's have coined the term "Table Squish" to describe the act of squeezing everything in, likening it to a game of Tetris. We definitely filled our space to full capacity and ended up using foldable chairs alongside our garden furniture to fit us all in. But it all adds to the fun of the occasion. For me, laughter, family and delicious vegan food are the perfect ingredients for a successful family barbecue. With some help from Sainsbury's who stock a great range of food for hosting the perfect vegan barbecue (including their meat free frozen burgers and brilliant vegan cheese range, which are absolute must-haves) we definitely enjoyed a relaxed, informal lunch out of doors.

You can find out more about Sainsbury's at www.sainsburys.co.uk.

Fun Family Dining with OXO Shake & Flavour #OXOMealtimeMagic

If variety is the spice of life - OXO's new Shake & Flavour range is the perfect way to add some spicy mealtime magic to a variety of dishes this summer!

The fine seasoning granules come in a variety of flavours including Rich Beef and Roast Chicken as well as veggie friendly Tikka, Garlic & Herb, Chinese, Italian and Southern Fried.  They come in a handy shaker for ease of use and can be sprinkled on food before or during cooking or added as a finishing touch.

We were sent some to try out, and I adapted a favourite family meal to add some extra flavour the OXO way.  I made a Sweet Potato, Butterbean and Cashew Nut Flan seasoned with OXO Shake & Flavour Italian seasoning and some chunky chips seasoned with Garlic & Herb served with sauteed white cabbage.

It is a lovely summery menu, perfect for family dining inside or outdoors.  The flan is light and packed with healthy sweet potato, pulses, nuts and seeds.  It is lovely served hot or cold with a freshly squeezed juice to drink.

Sweet Potato, Butterbean and Cashew Nut Flan Recipe

Ingredients

400g sweet potato peeled and cut into chunks

1 can butterbeans

1 oz chopped cashew nuts

1 onion chopped

2 gloves of garlic crushed

2oz chestnut mushrooms chopped

OXO Shake & Flavour Italian Seasoning

Ground pepper

Ready rolled puff pasty sheet

Handful of mixed seeds

Method

Cook the sweet potatoes in boiling water until tender.  Drain and mash.

While they are cooking fry the chopped onion, garlic and mushroom.

Mix the butterbeans and onion mixture into the mashed sweet potato and roughly mash together.

Stir through a generous sprinkle of OXO Sprinkle & Flavour Italian seasoning and some ground pepper to taste.

Place the sheet of pastry onto a baking sheet.

Pile the filling onto the pastry leaving an inch around the edge.

Fold in the pastry edges and glaze with milk.

Sprinkle seeds on top and another sprinkle of OXO Shake & Flavour Italian seasoning.

Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

***

We made our homemade chunky chips by tossing cut potatoes in olive oil and OXO Shake & Flavour Garlic and Herb seasoning, and putting into the oven on a baking tray for 30-35 minutes at 200 degrees. 

 The children loved helping out with this, shaking the seasoning granules over the oiled potatoes and giving them a good shake - it certainly added a fun element to the cooking!

We served the flan and chips with sauteed white cabbage.  Once cooked we sprinkled a little of the OXO Italian seasoning and some black pepper on top for extra flavour.

I loved how easy the product was to use, simply sprinkle into or onto whatever you are cooking for an intense flavour shot.  It's a handy kitchen trick to make meals even tastier with very little effort. 

The seasoning definitely added a depth of flavour, which was very tasty.  I loved the Italian seasoning with its hints of tomato, fennel, oregano, basil and garlic. It worked perfectly with the sweetness of the sweet potato pie filling.  The chips were really yummy and the kids all loved the garlicky coating!

The scope for adding mealtime magic to my cooking is an exciting prospect as summer approaches.  For seasoning vegetable and halloumi kebabs on the barbecue, to adding flavour to alfresco dining, I have a selection of OXO Shake & Flavour  granules to hand!  They are so convenient, versatile and easy to use, and give a little culinary inspiration when needed.

This post is part of a BritMums project with OXO Shake & Flavour. Shake & Flavour seasoning granules can be sprinkled into food during cooking or before serving. Find out more about the Shake & Flavour varieties.