A barbeque is a meal cooked outdoors usually consisting of meat and sometimes vegetables cooked over charcoal or wood. A barbeque can mean either the device on which the food is cooked or the method of cooking. Barbeques usually take place in the open air during picnics or outdoor parties.
The etymological origin of the word “barbeque” is not very clear. Many believe that it must have derived from the Taino people of the Caribbean who called a sacred fire pit a “barabicu” or a “barbicoa”.
In the United States, especially in the South, a barbeque used to mean cooking pork because pigs were the staple diet in the 19th century. Due to the American Civil War, pig slaughtering was a time to celebrate and the entire village would gather to eat. These “pig pickings” developed into barbeque parties.
Sometimes the barbeque is basted with sauce and even with herbs, and the sauce is then served on the side. In Texas, a barbeque is done with cuts of beef. Texas itself has four different types of barbequing methods, using different ingredients.
A barbeque is an excuse to invite friends over for a party. They are also called cookouts since a barbeque takes place in the open air. In Australia, a barbeque is associated with socialising in a big way. Sausages, lamb chops and steaks are usually cooked, accompanied with beer and games. In South Africa, barbeques are a tradition. Some South Africans cook on a barbeque every day and there are competitions held every year.
A barbeque can be done either directly over fire or over wood, charcoal or gas. When meat is cooked over wood it is called smoking and this method takes a longer time. Steaks cooked over wood have a very woody flavour. The woods commonly used are mesquite, hickory, cherry, pecan, apple, maple or oak. Different woods burn differently. Sometimes a combination of wood and charcoal is used.
With charcoal, briquettes and lump coal are available. Charcoal barbeques should always take place outside because of the poisonous smoke. Meat has a distinctive and authentic barbeque taste after being cooked over charcoal. Charcoal chimneys are also available, which offer a more efficient way of lighting a fire. Grills are then used to cook the meat with the coals at the side.
Gas is very easy to light and control. Gas barbeques mean that the meat is cooked evenly and they are easy to operate. There are also electric barbeques available. However, for the perfect outdoor barbeque party, charcoal is always preferred.
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