It’s summer, and that can only mean one thing—BBQ and picnic season! It’s also the perfect opportunity to travel with our tastebuds, from appetizer to dessert.
Cameroonian twist
If you’re looking to cut back on red meat and deviate from your go-to fish recipes, try your hand at a traditional Cameroonian dish: braised fish! Simply pick a whole fish, marinate it in a blend of spices, then grill it on the BBQ. Your fish will be crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and guaranteed delicious! It’s often served with grilled vegetables and plantain.
Lebanese twist
There’s no better way to liven up a meal with a side of Lebanese tabbouleh! This dish is basically a salad of parsley and mint, to which juicy tomatoes, onions, and bulgur (cracked wheat) are added. You’re intolerant to gluten? Simply swap the bulgur for quinoa. Then top it off with a squeeze of lemon juice, good quality olive oil, and you’re set to go.
Haitian twist
Try adding pep to your meals with pikliz, a staple condiment in Haitian cuisine that is served with every meal! Pikliz could be described as a spicy pickled cabbage salad. But don’t forget to add Scotch Bonnet peppers, the secret ingredient in pikliz. These peppers are hot—very hot—so those with sensitive palates may want to go easy at first.
Mexican twist
A dessert that is sure to please on a hot summer’s day: Mexican paletas! Paletas are a type of homemade popsicles. These icy treats are made with chunks of fresh fruit puréed in a blender before freezing in popsicle molds. The recipe variations are endless! Choose your favourite fruit and add juice or, for a creamier texture, dairy products or plant-based beverages: yogurt, milk, oat beverage, coconut milk, etc.
