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Roasting carrots brings out their sweetness, even more so when the flavours are layered with orange and fennel. This dip is a wonderful accompaniment to barbecued meats or can be served simply with crudités and crackers. The variety of honey used will make a marked difference to the flavour so adjust type and quantity to suit. -
This fiery condiment from Yemen, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is found throughout the Middle East at street stalls and restaurants. It’s fun to say (‘zhoog!’) and even more exciting to eat. Green chilli adds serious punch, herbs and lemon keep things frisky, and it’s a stunner with falafels, grilled meats, fish, or simply piled over bread. -
There’s no definitive recipe for these skinless sausages, which are found throughout the Balkan countries of south-eastern Europe. It’s more the case that everyone’s grandmother has the best recipe! I’m a big fan of this combination of three meats with smoky roasted capsicum and a little chilli heat.
A grill, a gathering, fresh air threaded with smoke… barbecues are wonderful things. I love their easy sociability, the drop-in and bring-a-plate ethics, and the free-flowing talk-to-everyone vibes.
My Aussie barbecue is a multicultural feast with flavours from France, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The idea is that people will bring meat for the barbecue and perhaps a green salad or two to augment your offerings.
Hot Tips
Mix and match this menu with dishes from the Party and Plan Ahead chapters.
TO SERVE:
Have the Baba ghanoush and Carrot dip ready when people arrive, and pass around the Soup cups while the Cevapcici (and other meats) are cooking. Lay out the Zhoug, the Rolls and the Lettuce cups to go with cooked meats.
Make Ahead
1 WEEK
Vadouvan spice mix for the Mini rolls
4 DAYS
Caramelised onions for the Mini rolls
2 DAYS
Grains for Lettuce cups (steps 1–9, but not prawns, and add kale and basil on the day)
DAY BEFORE
Carrot dip, Cevapcici (steps 1–6)
SAME DAY
Baba ghanoush (roasted on your barbecue if possible), Zhoug, Soup cups, grill Cevapcici, Mini rolls, Prawns for Lettuce cups.
Hot Tips
Mix and match this menu with dishes from the Party and Plan Ahead chapters.
TO SERVE:
Have the Baba ghanoush and Carrot dip ready when people arrive, and pass around the Soup cups while the Cevapcici (and other meats) are cooking. Lay out the Zhoug, the Rolls and the Lettuce cups to go with cooked meats.
Make Ahead
1 WEEK
Vadouvan spice mix for the Mini rolls
4 DAYS
Caramelised onions for the Mini rolls
2 DAYS
Grains for Lettuce cups (steps 1–9, but not prawns, and add kale and basil on the day)
DAY BEFORE
Carrot dip, Cevapcici (steps 1–6)
SAME DAY
Baba ghanoush (roasted on your barbecue if possible), Zhoug, Soup cups, grill Cevapcici, Mini rolls, Prawns for Lettuce cups.
SET THE MOOD FOR YOUR PROGRESSIVE DINNER EVENT WITH DANI’S SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
Rock that barbecue! I’ve kept this playlist rocky and jaunty. We even delve into a few Oz rock classics – remember This Is Not The Way Home by The Cruel Sea and What’s My Scene? by the Hoodoo Gurus? Ah man, I remember seeing the Hoodoo Gurus at the Venue in St Kilda and the sprung parquetry floor felt like a trampoline as we all rocked out to that song.
