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Barbecue Online Newsletter - March 2003

1. Welcome to the first Barbecue Online newsletter of 2003!

Sydney Opera House This is the first of six seasonal issues for 2003 - as usual we'll be bringing you barbecue tips, recipes and some slightly wacky ways of enjoying outdoor entertaining.

This month we are focusing on Australia - named the Lucky Country by those that live there. The Australians know how to party and enjoy the outdoors in style - you could be experiencing what's hot for yourself with a trip to Oz this Christmas. Our new competition gives you the opportunity to win a 2 week holiday for two in Sydney and Cairns - absolutely free! To find out more see our competition section below.

Good luck!

info@barbecue-online.co.uk

2. WIN A CHRISTMAS TRIP TO OZ

See Some of Australia's Stunning Scenery

A superb chance to win a two week trip to Australia for two at Christmas. So if you are sick of the in-laws, tv repeats and curried turkey, here's a chance to win a fabulous two centre holiday in Sydney and the resort of Cairns. The trip includes a 4 wheel drive safari, cruising down the Daintree River and enjoying a walk through a rainforest to the beautiful Mossman River Gorge.

Competition Closed 30th September 2003

3. The Oz Factor

Outback Bob Cool Britannia has got a bit warm recently. But Australia, who introduced us to Neighbours and some questionable pop careers in the 1980 and 1990’s, is now one of the coolest countries on the planet.

Australia’s culture, lifestyle and laid back approach to life is taking the world by storm in all areas be it food, drink, music or sporting prowess. Here are some of the best exports setting trends in the UK:

The worlds most famous Australian, Kylie Minogues’ lingerie line sold out in only a few days following its launch in Selfridges. Who knows where Kylie’s world domination will end. Her own food line maybe?

Jamie Oliver’s Aussie mate Ben O’Donaghue is set to be the next hot chef after working in top restaurants The River Café and Montes and he has been making waves on the BBC’s ‘The best’. Copy his fusion style of cooking to stay ahead of your foodie friends.

The Australian’s favourite tipple used to be the amber nectar, but latest research shows you they wouldn’t give you a XXXX for it. They are now converting to their own wines as a preference and are drinking four times as much as beer.

This trend is taking hold over here. We Brits now consume an estimated £698million worth of Australian wines compared to £646 of French plonk.

Any excuse for a barbie….Although popular in the UK, barbecues are a way of life in Oz. Australian’s think nothing of taking a barbie to the beach and even apartments have a regularly used barbecue on the balcony.

Kylie isn’t the only Sheila with her sights on world fame. Pop star and actress Holly Valance is the new FHM pin up. Recently spotted in black bobbed wig and rubber fetish outfit in a national newspaper is this going to be a look adopted in club land this year?

And what about Nicole – multi Oscar award winning actress and close friend of Robbie Williams. Has she set her sights on our own Jude Law?

A sassy label - Sass & Bide. A little label out of Sydney which is just a year old yet on sale in Harvey Nichols and Barney’s in New York. The collection consists of funky t-shirts, flirty vests, mini skirts and jackets. It also does a mean line in jeans as recommended by our own first lady of fashion Victoria Beckham - watch the influence on the best dressed this year. Earl jeans are so last season darling.

Zimmerman swimwear - A brother and sister team producing sexy swimwear and summer dresses. The line is sold countrywide in Oz, but only in a few exclusive outlets in blighty. Their stylish, but sexy designs are probably going to inspire the swimwear collection at a Top Shop near you!

4. Aussie Glossary of Food Terms

If you want a real flavour of Oz at the barbie - why not try some of the lingo from down under. Here are just a few of our favourites...

Aussie	British
Snags Ripper Snaffle Titch Chook Moo Juice Ankle Biter Stubby Bootle Shop Coldie Footy	Sausages Excellent Grab Small Amount Chicken Milk Child Small Bottle of Beer Off Licence Cold Can of Beer Football

So throw a few snags and a chook on the grill and snaffle a stubby from the fridge and have a ripper barbie!

5. Beach Barbie

If you want to invent an Aussie barbecue in your own back yard with an accent of a Bondi Beach BBQ - read and learn!

First of all, no barbecue should be missing the new Algon portable barbecue (right) - ideal for picnics, the beach, camping - in fact anywhere - the legs easily detach for storage and carrying. Get your Algon Portable Barbecue from Calor BBQ Shop.

Volleyball is the "in" thing in Oz - so click here if you want an authentic volleyball and net to set up a game.

One of the other crazes to hit Oz is the Moonlight Cinema - where large screens are put up outdoors to show films - the locals turn up with their portable barbies which are also very "in" and party.

You could create the same look (you may have seen Dermuid Gavin trying it in Home Front?) by projecting a film onto a blank wall in the garden! We'll publish a picture of anyone who manages to do it!

Your beach BBQ can also offer you the chance to try out the latest beach fashions - zimmerman swimwear is to die for in Sydney - and for more of a cover up, Billabong, Rip Curl, O'Neil and Quick Silver shorts, shirts and thongs (the word for flip flops in Oz!) will be all the scene with your mates!

Finally to protect you and your guests "slip slap slop" some sun bloc. If you're looking to make a statement go for a stripe of blue or orange across your forehead!

6. Australian Barbecue Recipes

Despite the stereotypes Australian tastes are moving very rapidly - with many Aussies moving towards healthier foods as a nation and are believed to be the leaders in Fusion Food - this is, they have many cultural influences in their cooking. Asian flavours such as lemon grass, coriander, chilli and cardamom to Bush influences such as wichetty grubs can now be sampled in many Sydney restaurants.

If you are joining the Aussies in healthy eating why not try out this month's mouth watering recipes for Aussie Prawn and Scallop Skewers, and Grilled Lamb Chops with Roasted Yam.

Aussie Prawn and Scallop Skewers
Aussie BBQ Recipe - Prawn and Scallop Skewers The tangy mango sauce makes an irresistible addition to this Australian seafood celebration. You can find mango chutney in gourmet markets and specialty stores.

1/2 cup mango chutney
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sweet and tangy barbecue sauce
8 pineapple chunks, each about 1-inch square
12 large prawns, peeled and de-veined
12 large sea scallops
8 cherry tomatoes
8 pearl onions, blanched and peeled

In a food processor or blender puree chutney, orange juice, and barbecue sauce until smooth.

Thread four 12-inch skewers in the following order: pineapple, prawn, scallop, tomato, onion, prawn, scallop, tomato, onion, prawn, scallop, pineapple.

Brush skewers liberally with sauce and place in centre of cooking grate. Grill 6 to 8 minutes or until prawns are pink and scallops are opaque, turning and brushing liberally with sauce again halfway through grilling time. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.

Makes 4 servings

Aussie Grilled Lamb Chops & Roasted Yams
Aussie BBQ Recipe - Grilled Lamb Chops A delicious way of giving the traditional British lamb chop the culinary equivalent of a "This Morning" makeover.

8 thick lamb chops
4 yams
2 cloves sliced garlic
2 tbs. sweet butter
4 sprigs of mint
4 sprigs of rosemary
Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 hours before cooking, marinate lamb with herbs, pepper, garlic, and oil. Season lamb with salt and grill for 4 minutes - turning once after 2 minutes. Reduce barbecue to medium heat and continue to grill for a further 4-6 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Sprinkle yams with salt, pepper and oil, and wrap in tin foil and roast for approximately 1 hour (until done), turning frequently. Once cooked, slice into discs, top with butter and serve.

Serves 4

7. This Month's Special Offers

Aussie Twin Burner Roaster

Special Offer - Aussie Twin Burner Roaster A middle of the range 2 burner flat top BBQ with the addition of a roasting hood. Allowing you greater flexibility to BBQ using the indirect method for larger joints and poultry as well as the traditional direct grilling method for steaks and chops.