National BBQ Week: delicious recipes for a sizzling summer

Sam and Shauna’s BBQ recipes with maple syrup

Since summer 1997, National BBQ Week has been changing the attitudes towards BBQing and summer eating and the number of BBQs held in the UK grew from 9 million to 135 million in 2019.

This year, while the usual events can’t go ahead, BBQ Week is all about making the most of your grill at home. On Monday 25th May the nation is being encouraged to take part in Barbi for Britain, which is aiming to be the biggest backyard BBQ bash to salute and support NHS, frontline and supermarket staff.

Of course, maple syrup and BBQ food go hand in hand. So to help inspire your at-home BBQs, we’ve created this mouth-watering video compilation and rounded up some of our favourite recipes for you to enjoy in your garden, on your balcony or even around the kitchen table.

Samantha Evans and Shauna Guinn, two of Maple from Canada UK’s Chef Ambassadors and co-founders of Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, have created a sweet and smoky maple sugar pie rub BBQ pork belly. The southern-inspired meat is cooked “low and slow” for pork that is tender on the inside while being sticky and crunchy on the outside. It’s completely delicious and easy to make on your BBQ at home, you can even cook along with Sam and Shauna here.

If ever there were a time to experiment with your cooking, it’s now. Sam and Shauna’s BBQ grilled summer fruits with maple and bourbon is sweet and comforting soul food and proves your grill isn’t just for meat! The heat from the BBQ will heighten the flavour of the fruits and combined with toasted hazelnuts, maple syrup, boozy Bourbon and topped with creamy ricotta, it is sure to elevate your dessert game.

Vegetarian dishes are also perfect for grilling over flames, one of our firm favourites is baked aubergine, halloumi and herby maple crumb. This veggie dish is packed full of smoky flavour that becomes even more pronounced if you cook it over fire, it’s a crowd pleaser and definitely not just for vegetarians!

For more information on Barbi for Britain and how having your own Bank Holiday BBQ can help raise money for NHS frontline and supermarket staff, click here.

Don’t forget to share your maple BBQ creations with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 

Happy grilling!

Did you know?

Québec exports its maple products to more than 50 countries

Everywhere it goes, consumers of all ages appreciate maple’s unique flavour.

Scientists are studying maple’s potential health benefits

Studies now underway include those on the antioxidant properties of the polyphenols naturally present in maple syrup, with a recent study indicating that maple syrup is better for cardiometabolic health than refined sugar.

Maple syrup can be used as a sugar substitute in most recipes

In cake and most dessert recipes, for each 250ml (1 cup) of syrup used, simply reduce the stipulated amount of liquid (water, milk, juice, etc.) by 60ml (1/4 cup).

A natural source of energy

Maple syrup is a natural source of energy. Check out our recipes for food and drinks before, during, and after exercise.