Go al fresco, the safe way

So you've parked your SUV, pegged your camp away from the concrete world and spread warm sleeping bags out for the night. But what camping is truly complete without a spot of piping hot meat, bread and the occasional sip of warm coffee? While you are feeling like a caveman sleeping under the stars and eating meat off the fire, remember that preparing outdoor meals requires knowledge of food safety, just as cooking in the kitchen does.

Getting set up: Choose your barbecue spot carefully, making sure you keep a safe distance from anything that could catch fire, such as dried grass and shrubbery.

Build up the heat: Charcoal barbecues need to be lit at least 45 minutes in advance, while gas versions can be lit 10 minutes prior to cooking. Allow the flames to die down before starting to cook and control the heat by adjusting the distance of the grid from the coals. Ensure the heat is not too much or too less when you start.

No sticky issues: To prevent food from sticking to grills, brush the grill with oil before cooking. Fat, juices and marinades dripping onto the fire can cause flames to leap up, blacken food and spoil the flavour. Keep a water spray close by to dampen flames.

Safety first: Avoid wearing loose or flammable clothes when working a barbecue. Use long wooden-handled tools and thick oven gloves when cooking with skewers and kebabs.

Avoid explosions: Never use petrol, methylated spirit, paraffin, or white spirit to light a barbecue. The flames created can blow back and cause serious injury. Use barbecue firelighters instead. In case of a fire, always keep a fire extinguisher, or bucket of water or sand at hand.

Clean before you leave: Allow the food to burn off at the end of cooking as much as possible. While the grill is still slightly warm, brush off with a wire brush. Once home, wash your grill with hot soapy water, and if needed, a scouring pad. Rinse well afterwards.

Time to pack up: Always dispose of ash and throwaway barbecues carefully, especially if you are picnicking in the desert or on the beach. Remember to take your litter home with you.

The weather is perfect for outdoor dining, and whether you are planning a fishing trip, hitting the sand dunes or a barbecue with friends, supermarkets such as Spinneys stock all the barbecue essentials.

— The writer is Marketing Manager,Spinneys Dubai LLC

**********

Best practices

• Clean surfaces and utensils before, during and after use

• Store and prepare raw and cooked meats separately

• Wash hands before preparing food, after touching raw meat and before eating

• Leave food out of the fridge or cooler box for the shortest time possible

• Cook all meat, meat products and poultry until they are piping hot and the juices run clear when the skin is pierced with a sharp knife or skewer

• Turn food regularly to avoid charring one side and under-cooking the other

• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold

• Never reuse meat or poultry marinades or raw marinade onto cooked meat