I really need some help I have about 35 people coming for a BBQ in July some are veggies I am planning to do the usual salads )pasta Cous cous etc) to go with the cooked stuff but I am unsure of quantities I don't want to over do it but am frightened of not having enough. Also can anyone recommend tasty veggie sausages and burgers that cook ok on the Bar b. Looking forward to your comments, kind regards to all.

Cauldron do a good range of veggie sausages and nut burgers (they'll be in the chiller rather than the freezer cabinet) or you could make veggie kebabs with marinated vegtables and chunks of halloumi (but it sounds as though you have enough on your plate already) hope it goes well!

That's really helpful thank you I will get a selection I think I will have a trial run to make sure they don't fall apart !! Scary stuff this entertaining especially when it's for your work collegues

Do your veggies eat fish or shellfish?

I am in the same predicament. I'm having about 25 people for a 40th bbq. I have asked them what they would like to eat and I've come up with Tesco veggie burgers (their recommendation), salmon (or similar), veggie kebab (courgette, corn on the cob, button mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, pepper), and possibly something along the lines of prawns with mild chillies.

It's difficult to find a happy medium the veggies don't eat fish but thats not a problem I think I will do some aubergine and mozarella things with roasted peppers, may be some halumi also. My main concern is quantities!!!!!! And whether to do nibbles to start with would that be too much with the bbq being the main event ??????

Good luck mcnutty when is your event mines not till July so please let me know how yours goes. Thanks everyone for rthe feed back it is appreciated

Could you do some veggie kebabswith halloumi , stuffed mushrooms and/or stuffed peppers. Corn on the cob is lovely done on the barbie too.

Its a week Saturday (had to avoid world cup game!!) Sue. As for quantities, I always over cater for such thing. I have to admit I'm not doing nibbles to start, but there will be dips and dorrito type crisps, veggie sticks and pitta bread if people want nibbles along with salads. Currently the only thing I'm panicing about is the weather so fingers crossed.

I would recommend Quorn sausages for a bbq. They are good solid 'meaty' sausages unlike Tesco's own & Linda McCartney brands which are very 'loose' & would pbably fall to pieces.
Again burger wise I'd recommend the Quorn. Same reasoning really. Quorn do 'meat' very well where other brands are more 'unmeaty' if that makes any sense
I know some veggy's are against meat substitutes on principle but they are the best option for a bbq really. Word of warning tho - do you have two seperate bbqs & utensil sets? Going to all the trouble for veggy guests is kind of pointless if you serve up things covered in meat juices!

Oh and people who eat fish ARE NOT VEGETARIAN
I'm sick of being in some dingy pub chain & being offered fish & chips when asking what vegetarian options they do. Or being told that I must eat fish cos 'my *insert distant relative/friend* is one & s/he eats a bit of fish'
sorry rant over

Totally agree with glasgow here, I am a veggie but the OH is not, we have two separate barbecues and utensils to avoid cross contamination - if you can't do that, you should make sure you cook the veggie stuff on tin foil out of the way of the meat. I would recommend the Cauldron sausages as personally I think they taste the best - I also do tofu and pineapple on skewers - you just cube the tofu and marinate in ginger, garlic, chinese spices and soy sauce - brush with sesame oil - they are delicious - I also have a recipe for satay sauce which goes down well with the meat eaters too - let me know if you would like it and I will post it for you - it is very easy and goes in the microwave.

i agree with glasgow aswell, i'm veggie and it drives me mad when people offer you fish, or even chicken sometimes! i was in a resteraunt the other day, and the woman at the table next to me was saying how she doesn't think people should go to any extra effort for veggies at dinner parties, that they should just have the vegetables! what's the point of inviting someone to dinner and then treating them in a hostile manner?

oh, by the way, you dont need a seperate bbq or utensils, just cook the veggie stuff first then keep it in the oven, much less of a palava

well yes, everything can be cooked & kept in the oven , but that's not the point of a bbq is it?

what's the problem with that glasgow? i think there may be some confusion, i was suggesting that you cook veggie things on the bbq first, then keep them warm in the oven.

The bbq is split into 3 and we have 2 tongs, marinade, etc thee smaller section may have some sweets such as baked bananas or tropicalfruit salad. I have to admit all I seem to have eaten over the past week is beefburgers as these are something I don't usually eat. At the fourth attempt I have found one which is not full of additives, doesn't shrink and tastes nice. Although there is only 2 veggies out of 25 their choice of food is just as important to me as what myself and the other meat eaters will have, and therefore I have asked their opinion as I had no idea where to start. I have to agree with Glasgow, keeping stuff in the oven isn't practical for me as my kitchen is at the front of the house.

I often find when I cook my veggie food on the bbq a lot of the meat eaters want to try it too!

Problems, Problems...I have organised a 30th BBQ for around 50 people, now I am stressing as I think I have taken on too much, how on earth am I going to cope. Any handy tips or receipes would be appreciated

get loads of pasta salads, cous cous, salads etc done ahead of time, so you've got things to preoccupy people if anything goes wrong with the bbq food itself.

Sue, I've done the bbq and the two main things I achieved, 1 everyone had a good time and no one got sick! A few things that went well for me were, I pre-cooked the chicken drumsticks in the oven and left them to cool in large dish covered with foil so they simply needed reheating, sausages and the beefburgers (from a local butcher) went down really well. I also did some marinated chicken on skewers which went down well and didn't need that much cooking (these were bbq, jerk and tandori (?) the latter I put skewered with some quartered limes. For pudding the big hit was an eton mess (or strawberry fool as the Asda magazine described it)dead easy to do. For the salads, I did put out smaller helpings and kept a further supply in the fridge. I figured this way it would stay cool (warm salad isn't the best) and also would avoid there was fresh stuff. Hope everything goes well for yours in July and that the weather improves.

Hi Sue I have the same problem coming up in August for about 30 people 4 are veggie 5 are diabetic. If when you have finished your succesful BBQ if you could give some idea of quantities that seems to be my bugbear. Also the majority have a sweet tooth what did you serve as desserts?
Much appreciate your help. Liz

hello all i,m just trying to find new thing to do with meat can any one help


from chris 2

To Chris 2

A must for the bbq is to do a leg of lamb. Buy the rolled type and unroll it. Then marinate it overnight in olive oil,lemon,garlic,thyme. then just whack the whole slab of meat onto the bbq. It will caramalise wonderfully on the outside whilst staying tender and juicy on the inside (cook for 45 mins turning regularly). I serve it just on a bread board and all my friends then just carve it themselves. I highly reccomend it especially for more intimate gatherings of friends or as an alternate sunday lunch!

HI, new to this, what a great site! need some salad rec'pes for a bbq for 40 this Saturday, any ideas?

Hi new to this site, wandered on wondering what to do for a family BBQon 16th July for about 15 adults and 11 grandchildren, I will quietly poach some of your great ideas ! You have all been a great help.