BBQ and Whisky (Cider, Wine and Gin)

The weather is getting better. It is time for a BBQ.

Even in lockdown, Whisky wife Jacqueline and I can prepare and enjoy a BBQ. 

A lot of time has been taken in the preparation and the selection of drinks for this afternoons BBQ.

Starter
A Caprese salad to start. This is  a simple Italian salad, made of sliced mozzarella, tomatoes and sweet whole basil leaves, seasoned with salt and olive oil. A nice touch is to add a few drops of Balsamic vinegar.

Jacqueline’s choice of a drink to accompany the salad was a glass of chilled Verdicchio Classico. My Choice was a large glass with loads of ice of Thatchers Haze Somerset cider. I also had a small glass of Glen Moray 10 Year Old Chardonnay Cask Matured Speyside Single Malt. A very light and sophisticated dram, a grand way to start the afternoon’s BBQ.

Main Event
As it is just the two of us we just had a small selection of food for the BBQ, which included:-
Hot dogs with onions and sauerkraut
Peri peri prawns
A couple of small home made beefburgers
A ribeye steak to share
Sweet potato and chicken skewers

We had all the usual accompaniments, coleslaw, baking potatoes, mustard, ketchup, mayo, BBQ sauce and burger relish together with the remaining caprese salad.

Jacqueline remained with her trusty glass of Verdicchio. I moved on to a dram with a bit more complexity to complement the strength of the smokiness and flavours of the BBQ. The dram was a cask strength 2007 Highland Park from Gordon & Macphail, the ideal partner.

To Finish
After an hour or so were able to attack our cheese board. This board was predominantly blue cheeses, which included:-
A Mature Stilton
Dunsyre Blue
Strathdon Blue
An extra matured Mull of Kintyre cheddar
A selection of crackers and oat cakes

Jacqueline has now moved on to one of her favourite gins, Martin Miller’s. I had to visit Islay to really match some of the strong cheeses on offer. I chose a large dram from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 53.327 “Keeping the fire stoked” a 10 Year Old Caol Ila a single cask bottled at cask strength 58.9% Alc/vol. Now that is a dram to end a great afternoon with Whisky wife Jacqueline and some fabulous food but even better drinks.

Well, that was a great afternoon tummy full and whistle well wetted.

So, even in these trying times/ lockdown we can all make the effort to enjoy some good food and outstanding drinks and enjoy the company that you are “jailed up” with.

Hope this gives you some ideas on a BBQ and help you to spend a fine summer afternoon, remember ‘keep safe – stay home’.