Keep reading for reasons I’m sure you will be able to relate to, especially if you’re a fellow mom.

A Brief History of Fried Chicken 

Before we answer why do I like fried chicken so much, let’s take a quick look at where fried chicken came from. According to The Cookful, this beloved dish has two origin stories. One is that it came from the Scottish who decided to start deep frying chicken while the rest of the world was still just baking or broiling it—and that’s how it came to America eventually via Scottish immigrants. 

The other story is that it came from West Africa, since the people there already have a tradition of frying food in hot oil. It was because of slavery that fried food made its way to America. Despite this particular origin being tied to a shameful period of American history, fried chicken has evolved into a widely enjoyed dish, and its popularity continues to endure.

Whatever the real story, fried chicken came to America, and continued to grow in popularity until it pretty much conquered the world! Think about it: can you name any common restaurant or convenience store that doesn’t have fried chicken in its menu?

I didn’t think so!

Reasons Why I Love Fried Chicken

Now, going back, why do I love chicken so much? Well, I’ve thought about it pretty well, and ultimately, it boils down to seven reasons.

Reason 1: It’s Super Easy To Make 

Fried chicken is the ultimate go-to for us busy moms. In fact, because it’s pretty fast and convenient to make, it’s a lifesaver! 

Think about it; you can:

• Marinate chicken pieces with simple pantry staples like soy sauce, calamansi, and a bit of garlic, then use a pan or airfryer to achieve crispiness in an hour or less; or
• Get some already breaded chicken from the grocery, pop it in the oven toaster, wait, and eat fried chicken!

In short, fried chicken is always there to save the day, especially on those lunches or dinners when you can’t really think of what to cook.

Reason 2: Fried Chicken Is Easy To Access 

Fried chicken is practically everywhere here in the Philippines. Even street vendors have their own version. There’s just something about the taste of this deep fried goodness, I guess.

And that’s the great thing: it’s so common, you can get it anytime, anywhere, whether you’re at home and not wanting to cook, or on the road, and you’re looking for some delicious food. Admit it: you already have favorite fried chicken spots, such as one that has a secret mix of herbs and spices which makes it finger lickin’ good!

Reason 3: Practically Everyone Loves Fried Chicken

Who can resist fried chicken? No one, that’s for sure! Even the pickiest of eaters can’t resist this particular fried food. It’s the one dish that will bring smiles to everyone at the table. 

Reason 4: Science Backs Me Up!

Did you know that even science explains why fried chicken tastes are irresistible? It’s all about the chemistry of fried food, also known as the Maillard reaction. It gives fried chicken the tempting golden color and mouth-watering flavor. This reaction creates a variety of flavor compounds, making each bite a complex taste experience.

But there’s more: the texture! The contrast between the crunchy outside and the juicy inside is scientifically proven to delight our taste buds. Studies show that this texture contrast not only pleases our palate but also makes us crave more. So, when we’re enjoying that crispy, juicy chicken, we’re actually delighting in a culinary marvel of science—cool, huh?

Reason 5: Fried Chicken Is Comfort Food

There’s an undeniable comfort in a good piece of fried chicken—there’s warmth and satisfaction that comes with every bite. The symbolism of fried chicken is a taste of home, no matter where you are. 

And if you think about it, fried chicken is so delicious, but there’s more! Each crunchy bite reminds us of festive family celebrations, lazy Sunday lunches, and those impromptu gatherings that turn into cherished memories. It’s more than just food; it’s a comforting embrace, a reminder of happy times, and a simple pleasure that connects us to our loved ones and our roots.

Reason 6: It Goes With Everything

One of the best things about fried chicken is its incredible versatility. Whether it’s paired with rice, crispy fries, waffles, or if you want to use it as the meat for your sandwich, chicken just simply goes with everything!  

Fried chicken also even fits into all kinds of meal settings. It’s a hit at a fancy dinner party, just as much as it is during a summer barbecue. No matter the occasion or the time of day, fried chicken is always welcome to the table.

Reason 7: Fried Chicken Is Very Versatile 

Why do I love fried chicken? One more reason is it’s because it’s very versatile! You can enjoy the classic chicken taste, or go spicy, sweet, sour, and more. It’s always fun to play around and create your version of this beloved dish.

Let’s not forget the endless possibilities of flavors and marinades. You can go from a simple garlic and soy sauce marinade to a more adventurous coconut milk and lemongrass blend. The possibilities are endless!

Final Thoughts 

So there you have it, my fellow Filipino moms! Fried chicken is more than just a dish; it’s a part of our culture, a comforting presence in our lives, and a reason to come together and celebrate. Here’s to more crispy, juicy, delightful moments – one piece at a time!

Love fried chicken? You’ll love this class!

As passionate about fried chicken as I am? Want to experience delicious fried chicken with those commercial tastes you love? Want to take your food business to the next level?

Well, you can do all that with the latest class here at The Bailiwick Academy by Chef Anthony Ang: Fry ‘Em Up: Pinoy Style-Fried Chicken!

This isn’t just any cooking class. It’s a golden opportunity to recreate the iconic flavors of famous Filipino fast-food fried chicken. Imagine mastering the art of making Whole Fried Chicken, Classic Chinese-style fried Chicken, and the crowd-pleaser, Famous Fast Food Fried Chicken—all of them tasting like some of those commercial chickens you love, or even better!

There’s a bonus too! You’ll learn the secret behind making super delicious garlic fried rice that pairs perfectly with these crispy delights.

Whether you’re a home cook looking to wow your family or an aspiring entrepreneur ready to cater to your clients’ discerning tastes, this class might be the one you’re looking for. Don’t miss out on this finger-licking opportunity—sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today and enroll in this class to elevate your fried chicken game!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!

The post Why Do I Love Fried Chicken? appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Keep reading for tips from The Bailiwick Academy to throw holiday parties that will be fun and unforgettable for family and friends!

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Come Up With A Guest List

Begin by taking a moment to list out your potential guests. If you’re considering hosting at home, remember to assess the capacity of your space—you might have to cut some people out if your home will not be comfortable for them. And even if you opt for an external venue, ensure it can accommodate your guest list comfortably.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Set A Date

Whether you plan to throw a party ahead of time for the holidays or one set exactly during the holiday season, you need to remember a very important thing. You need to make sure the people you want to party with you are available!

And thankfully, we’re now in the digital age. So instead of having to contact people one by one via text or snail mail, just make a paperless post on Facebook. You can make a group chat or an event invite, then find out when most of the people are available.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Choose A Theme

Sure, you might be throwing a gathering as an equivalent of a Christmas party, but that doesn’t mean it has to be strictly Christmas-themed. You don’t need to have a candy cane hanging on your door, serve hot chocolate, or have Christmas holiday bestselling food. Just set a theme that your guests will enjoy.

For example, if you are, indeed, having family over, then they might actually like a traditional Christmas-themed party. But if you’re just having friends over, they might enjoy deviating from the norm, like having a movie marathon and dressing up in outfits you like. Since it’s your party, after all, you can dictate what party idea you want to happen.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Determine Your Budget

How to throw the best holiday party, you ask? Well, part of it is determining your budget. After all, it wouldn’t be a nice party if you did a lot of party planning but didn’t have the funds to carry out your vision, right? And thankfully, the best parties aren’t always the ones that are the most expensive!

Start by assessing what kind of party you want to have and then set a clear budget. Use a spreadsheet to keep track, and make sure to list everything. That way, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and, simultaneously, know if you have emergency money for unforeseen happenings.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Make A List Of Things To Do

One thing you want to avoid during holiday party planning is to feel overwhelmed. That can actually happen, especially if you’re the only one doing all the work. To keep things manageable, create a to-do list and check off tasks as you complete them—yes, even trivial ones, such as if you already have enough garbage bags and trash cans.

Not only will you feel more accomplished when you cross an item off, you’ll also know where you currently stand regarding preparations.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Get Help

While it’s your party, the guests you plan to have over would actually be eager to lend a hand, believe it or not. Struggling to find a particular supplier? Reach out to friends or family for recommendations. 

Their assistance not only lightens your load but also makes them feel more invested in the celebration’s success. And when they’re involved, they’re rooting for a fantastic party just as much as you are.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Prepare Some Activities

Any typical Filipino Christmas party involves a lot of eating… But after that, what happens? Do you just let people mingle? What if people want to play games or do something in general?

Well, don’t be caught with your pants down—include activities in your to-do list! For example, rent a karaoke machine so that your guest can belt out their latest tunes or prepare some standard party games. Even before the day of your event, you can make people prepare White Elephant gifts for a fun time during the actual party.

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Serve Good Food

Food is important in any celebration. Think about what your guests might like. It doesn’t have to be fancy; sometimes, simple and yummy food is the best. 

Of course, just make sure that when guests arrive, they get offered some food right away. You can make finger foods or just prepare chips to tide them over until the main course.

Just make sure there’s enough for everyone and that it’s made with care, and you’ll have happy guests!

Oh, and of course, cooking ahead of time is the key. Doing so means you can hang out with your guests more instead of staying in the kitchen. Look for easy recipes for faster preparation.

Speaking Of Serving Good Food…

Thinking of what you should cook ahead, whether you’re throwing a lunch or dinner party? Well, here’s an idea for you: Chef Anthony Ang’s Perfect Party Food Trays class!

Enroll in this class and you’ll get to make these Pinoy party food favorites:

• Egg Drop Soup: a light broth with delicate strands of egg for a perfect starter.
• Lengua with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Seared French Beans: a mouth-watering combination of succulent Lengua paired with creamy mashed potatoes and crunchy French beans
• Chicken Cordon Bleu: tender chicken breast filled with ham and cheese, fried to a golden perfection, and drizzled with a luxurious Special Cheese Sauce
• Garlic Scampi Pasta: spaghetti perfectly cooked al dente, tossed in a fragrant garlic sauce, and topped with juicy shrimp

Each dish has been crafted to ensure a gastronomic journey that will keep guests talking for future seasons. With offerings like these, it’s practically guaranteed that your holiday menu will be a hit with your visitors!

And if you’re in the catering business or even considering venturing into it, this class is perfect for jumpstarting your career!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy, enroll in Chef Anthony’s class, and elevate your culinary skills to dazzle your guests at your party!

How To Throw A Great Holiday Party: Enjoy Your Party!

Once guest arrival has commenced, it means your party has started. Dive right into the moment! While it’s essential to ensure everything runs smoothly, don’t be anchored to the kitchen or get lost in party logistics. Instead, immerse yourself in the laughter, the conversations, and the shared memories. After all, it’s your celebration too! 

Engage with your guests, dance to the music, savor the food, and most importantly, let yourself be in the heart of the revelry. The best hosts not only create wonderful experiences for their guests but also partake in the merriment themselves.

Conclusion

We hope this party planning guide has helped you solidify your vision for your event. One last thing to keep in mind is that there’s no such thing as a perfect holiday party. Things can go wrong, guests won’t arrive at the last minute, and so on.

But isn’t what truly matters the joy, laughter, and memories you create with your loved ones? Celebrations are about connection, not perfection. Embrace the imperfections, stay adaptable, and most importantly, just enjoy!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post How To Throw A Great Holiday Party appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, that’s what we’re going to discuss in this article—keep on reading!

So… what IS bulalo?

Bulalo is one of the many traditional Filipino soup dishes that has beef as its main ingredient. There are many variants of this beef soup dish, but generally, making it consists of boiling beef shanks and marrow bones for several hours. Doing this lets you extract all the flavor and tenderness from your ingredients.

When you’re done with the process, the result is a robust broth that is packed with rich, savory goodness, thanks to the fall-of-the-bone tender meat and vegetables.

What is bulalo called in English?

In English, bulalo is “bone marrow stew” or “beef bone marrow stew.” Doesn’t exactly roll off of the tongue nicely, right?

Why is it called bulalo?

Filipinos like to keep things simple, which is probably why they just named this Filipino dish after its main ingredient: beef shanks. Beef shanks are a special cut of beef that includes both the leg bone and the meat around it.

Because the legs are used a lot, beef shanks can be tough and dry. However, inside the bone, there’s a juicy treat of collagen and fat-filled marrow. To bring out the amazing flavors, bulalo is cooked slowly in moist heat.

What is bulalo’s history?

So where did bulalo come about, exactly? Or who started making bulalo soup?

Well, according to Yummy.ph, you can trace the origins of this Filipino beef to the Southern Luzon area, specifically in Batangas. Apparently, back in the 16th century, Spaniards and Chinese traders brought cattle to the Philippines, and made Batangas all about cattle trade and a source of plenty of beef dishes. That’s probably the reason why Filipinos generally associate Batangas with bulalo. 

Lately, though, Tagaytay is now also known for this beef recipe, not just for buko pie as pasalubong. It makes sense, since Tagaytay is nearer, also has a colder climate, and has a nice view of the Taal volcano. 

Of course, now, you don’t have to go far away to eat some bulalo. You can buy this in various restaurants or even cook bulalo at home.

What are the ingredients of bulalo?

To make one of the best soup recipes ever, you’ll need the following ingredients aside from beef shanks:

Marrow Bone

As mentioned above, marrow bones are an essential component of bulalo. These bones, rich in collagen and fat, contribute to the richness and depth of flavor in the soup. When simmered for an extended period, the marrow melts into the broth, resulting in a decadent taste that will keep you coming back for seconds!

Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is a popular addition to the soup, thanks to the sweetness of the corn complementing the savory flavors of the broth and meat. You’ll also get an additional delightful crunch and texture!

Bok Choy

Bok choy, a leafy and vibrant green vegetable, is often added to bulalo towards the end of the cooking process. In the Philippines, it’s known as pechay. The crisp texture of its leaves also provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and meaty elements of the soup.

Other Ingredients

Since this is the Philippines, we’re not content with just the usual bulalo recipe ingredients. That’s why you might spot variations in bulalo, like adding black pepper, bagoong alamang, bay leaves, onion leeks, green onions, garlic, and Chinese cabbage. These ingredients all add complexity and depth to the flavor profile.

What is the difference between bulalo and nilaga?

So if you look at the ingredients, you might wonder how bulalo is different from other beef dishes like beef nilaga and cansi. Well, one major difference of bulalo and nilaga is the kind of beef used—nilaga uses beef chunks.

As for cansi, while it is also made from beef shank and bone marrow, it is slightly soured with fruits. It’s actually cooked sinigang na bulalo at times. The soup is also different in color and is cooked with ingredients like tomatoes, patis or fish sauce, and even siling labuyo.

How do you cook bulalo?

Cooking bulalo is a slow and meticulous cooking process. The broth is simmered for hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and intensify. The long cooking time ensures that the beef becomes tender and the flavors reach their full potential.

Of course, before anything else, make sure to clean the beef shanks first by boiling them for 10 minutes. After that, submerge the clean shanks in water in your cooking pot over medium heat. When it boils, remove any scum that rises to the surface.

When the broth clears up, you can place the smaller ingredients. This is where patience comes in: you’ll have to let it simmer for hours, or at least until the meat falls off the bone. That means it’s tender.

You can then add the corn and bigger ingredients, then cover your pot. Let it simmer until all ingredients are softer, then you’re done!

How do you serve bulalo?

For best results, serve this soup recipe hot and freshly made. Speaking of best, eat it with hot rice!

Are there any bulalo variations?

Actually, there are more than just the usual classic bulalo. You can discover them in The Bailiwick Academy’s class by Chef Anthony Ang: WOW, Bulalo!

When you enroll, you’ll discover Chef Anthony’s methods for making THREE recipes out of a single cut of meat:

• Real Beef Bulalo Soup, his version of bulalo beef recipe. You’ll get a rich and savory broth with tender chunks of meat that melt in your mouth with every spoonful. You’ll understand why this Filipino classic is a beloved favorite!
• Kalderetang Bulalo, a robust and fiery fusion of bulalo and beef kaldereta. You’ll get a delicious mix of spices and vegetables that goes well with the succulent meat.
• Sizzling Bulalo with Gravy—yes, a sizzling bulalo dish is possible! Sear the meat to perfection and pour some thick gravy over it too! We bet you’ll get more than one bowl of rice for this!

And whether you’ve been cooking for a long time, or you just want to start cooking bulalo at home, this course is for you. Just follow Chef Anthony’s cooking tips and you’ll be well on your way to bulalo success.

You can even start a food business with this class—make your store be the NEW bulalo destination! Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today now and cook up some today!

Final Thoughts

There you have it: a peek in to the wonderful world of bulalo! As we mentioned above, when the rainy season hits the Philippines, nothing beats this hearty and comforting soup dish with its fall-off-the-bone tender meat, flavorful broth, and delicious mix of ingredients.

And whether you enjoy the classic bulalo or try out the other bulalo beef recipes, you’re in for a mouthwatering adventure!

So why wait? Grab your ingredients, cook up a storm, and make your taste buds dance with joy!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post What Is Bulalo? appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, that’s exactly what we will talk about in this blog.

Key Takeaways

TL;DR? Here’s a quick summary of what to expect from this article:

• When planning a catering menu, it’s important to have a specific target market in mind. Focus on that one market so that you can memorize and perfect their needs, which helps you build a good reputation and gets you similar work. 
• Pricing isn’t just about the food–consider also logistics, cost of food, and other business costs. 
• Do further research and education to make better business decisions about running a catering events business.

A Quick Disclaimer About This Article

While we will discuss what to consider when planning a catering menu, this isn’t a deep dive into the topic. A food and beverage business or how to plan a catering business needs more consideration and information than just one blog article. So while we can give you some things to consider, we’d also encourage you to learn more for yourself.

For example, one of the courses at The Bailiwick Academy is Branding 101. Another is Bakery Operations. These and other courses might help you with how to create a catering business plan and make better business decisions.

In short, while this is a quick overview, this is not an article that’s an end-all-be-all about planning catering menus. Also, these won’t be in any particular order, but you have to really consider all of these, as these are important for a successful catering menu or business.

Got it? Good.

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Who Do You Want to Serve?

One thing you have to remember is that in business, you have to have a specific target market. You need to decide on who you want to serve primarily. This also applies to having a catering business.

Let’s say you do decide to enter catering. Do you want to serve personal events like weddings, birthdays, and baptisms? Or would you rather look for a catering event for business people weekly? After all, how to plan catering for a wedding differs from how to plan catering for an event in a corporate setting.

The question doesn’t stop there, though. If you decide to serve weddings, would you rather serve high-end weddings? Or would you be happy serving weddings that are budgeted?

Again, the people in these events will be looking for different things. And if you read our feature on Chef Joey Prats, you’d know that he recommends focusing on one product. The same advice counts for the target market: focus on one. 

When you focus on one market, you can memorize and perfect their needs and expectations. Doing this will help you build a good reputation and get you more work for similar people. That’s always a good thing, agree?

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Consider The Logistics

Now that you know who you want to serve, the next thing to consider is the logistics, as these will factor into your costs. As we said, you shouldn’t only consider menu items!

Let’s go back to the target market. Say you’ve decided to focus solely on corporate events. Will you accept only certain corporate events, or will you take on all of them? 

For example, what if you’re located in Laguna, and a potential client wants to get you for a corporate event in Pampanga? Will you be able to accommodate their request?

Aside from the location, here are some other logistical considerations:

• Staffing – You should determine the number of staff needed, their roles and responsibilities, and their schedules. This includes chefs, servers, bartenders, and event coordinators. Remember, the more you want to give to your clients, the more people you’ll likely need!

• Transportation – Transportation isn’t only considered if, say, you want to run a food truck. After all, if you’re going on location for any type of event, you should be able to transport the food, equipment, and yourself and your team to the venue. You should also determine the truck size you need or if a van will suffice. 

• Equipment – If you plan to enter wedding event catering, you should know that you won’t be able to survive on just one kind of chair and decoration. You have to be able to give your possible clients options that will fit their wedding themes. Catering for corporate events is more forgiving, but these clients will still eventually look for options from you. Consider also that catering can come in different forms: buffets, food stations, seated and served, stand-up cocktails, and even outdoor picnics. Do you want to be able to serve all that or just some?

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Pricing

Ever wonder sometimes about the catering cost per person, especially if you feel like it’s too high? Well, here are some factors to consider in how to price a catering menu.

• Cost of ingredients – This is one important factor in pricing. After all, depending on the market you choose to serve and the types of food they want, you could run up a hefty bill just buying the ingredients alone! Of course, you’re going to charge that to the client. Include also if you’ll serve an alcoholic beverage per person, if they have appetizers, and pretty much anything food related.
• Labor costs – You will also have to factor in the salaries of your chefs, servers, and other staff. In the future, if you add more people, even those not necessarily go with actual events, include those too! They do help with your business, after all. You might even have to raise prices to serve people better.
• Your equipment and logistical costs – How much did you buy your equipment, such as chairs, linens, and tools for food safety? How much are your transportation costs? Insurance? Factor those in as well. 
• Your markup – All these mentioned above are just your operational and overhead costs. If you don’t add in how much you want to make per event, you’re not going to make money. And you have to–after all, businesses survive because of profits, not because of anything else. You have to make money.

Once you have all these, divide the cost of the event by the number of guests, and that’s where you’ll get the cost per person. It is important to note that the cost per person will vary depending on the menu, the level of service provided, and other factors. 

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Planning The Food

Oh, look, we’re finally getting to the food! Why did we place this last? Well, it’s probably the easiest for you, especially if you’ve been making food for a long time already. 

After all, you’re reading this because you’re thinking of getting into catering. And that means you already have a preference for your menu, correct?

And it does go back to Chef Joey’s advice about one first. So what kind of food or cuisine do you want to serve? Sure cuisine that will sell is Filipino food, but you can also offer other ones, like Korean and Spanish. 

You can even choose to niche down further and offer only keto catering. However, how to plan a keto menu is much more complicated than the usual kinds. That’s something to consider as your price might go up!

Your price will also go up if you want to give clients options to serve their guests who have special dietary restrictions.

But once you’ve decided on the food you plan to serve, that’s when you can get to the nitty-gritty. You can customize courses, make avant-garde versions of the cuisine, and so on. It will really depend on your target market and what would appeal to them.

Final Thoughts

Ready to get started on making your own catered event menu? Just consider all the following that we discussed in this article. Remember to consider who you want to serve and all the costs that you will incur, and make sure you’ll profit! By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to not only building a catering menu that will impress your guests but you’ll also have a successful catering business that will last a long time!

Speaking Of Menu Choices…

If you’ve decided to go with our suggestion of serving Pinoy food to start, The Bailiwick Academy has a class that’d be perfect for you to start: Chef Anthony Ang’s Pinoy Handaan!

In this class, you’ll learn to make three classic Filipino party dishes that are restaurant quality using Chef Anthony’s recipes:

• Pancit Overload
• Crispy Pata
• And the very packed Lumpiang Shanghai!

Whether you’re catering for a wedding, a corporate event, or even a simple occasion at home, you can be sure that these menu options will make for a menu that will impress! That’s especially since this class has simple, clear and easy-to-follow instructions that will let you master the dishes in no time!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today and get started planning your perfect Filipino food menu by enrolling in this class!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post How To Plan A Catering Menu appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

But with many possibilities, are you confused about what to cook on the grill? Well, don’t worry. We compiled a lot of our favorite grilled summer foods – they’re perfect for any occasion as well, not just summer, so you don’t have to consider these as strict summer grilling recipes or food.

And no, we’re not talking about just hot dogs here. Let’s level up your BBQ grilling ideas!

Wait… are grilled summer foods healthy?

Of course, we understand that aside from serving good-tasting food, you’d also want your summer barbecue menus to be as healthy as possible. Well, here’s some good news for you: grilling is a healthier cooking method compared to frying or sautéing. 

According to Beaumont.org, grilling is a great way to cook healthier meals while you enjoy the outdoors. This cooking method causes excess fat from the meat you’re cooking to melt and drip off the racks. Plus, grilling helps food keep more of its vitamins and minerals while sealing in moisture, giving you very juicy meat!

And since we usually add condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauce which are high in sugar and excess calories, grilling will help you have a lower calorie intake. But it’s probably better to not use those condiments on your grilled summer foods. The grilling flavor is usually delicious enough that you can just enjoy the food as it is!

Now, grab your tongs, fire up the grill, and let’s head over to our list of grilled summer foods!

Our grilled summer foods list

So a little disclaimer: we’re not saying these are the best of the best foods. But in our opinion, these are some of the best foods to cook for a crowd – they’re universally liked! I’m sure you’ll agree once you go through this list.

Hamburger – one of the popular grilled summer foods staples!

Burgers may be an American classic food, but we Pinoys have grown to appreciate them as well. After all, they’re generally easy to make and cook. That makes them convenient to bring for outings and for outdoor cooking.

What’s great about burgers as well is that you don’t have to eat them as sandwiches. You can eat them with patty only, as well as add different toppings to make a variety of flavor combinations. It’s an easy recipe to modify for sure!

And since most people are familiar and LOVE burgers, it’s probably also the best food to cook for beginners, especially if it’s your first time to ever grill anything. You’re likely to have a happy outing with burgers!

Of course, if you’re looking for some of the best burgers to make from scratch, don’t forget to check out The Bailiwick Academy’s Burger Obsession class!

Kebabs – one of the best summer foods to grill

Why do we say kebabs are one of the best to grill? Well, for one thing, these summer skewers can be made with a variety of meat! That helps to keep everyone happy and makes kebabs easy cookout food for a crowd. 

Kebabs are also pretty delicious since they’re marinated in a variety of spices and seasonings that add flavor and tenderness to the meat. Plus, the grill adds a smoky flavor. And if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, kebabs are usually served on a stick anyway – problem solved!

If you want to make kebabs, try out our Easy Persian Style Kebabs class!

Baby Back Ribs

If you’re wondering about the best food to cook for a date (i.e. you’re going to have an outing with your partner), baby back ribs are one of them. This popular cut of pork ribs is tender and meaty, meaning it cooks quickly and evenly without becoming tough or dry. They also have a natural sweetness which is enhanced thanks to the grill.

And since baby back ribs are smaller than other cuts, it’s easy to handle them over the flame. Serve with chimichurri sauce, BBQ sauce, and even tangy sauces.

In short, baby back ribs are a good choice for date food – especially when served with fine wine!

We also have a ribs class here at TBA. It’s oven baked, but the You Have Died and Gone to Heaven Barbecue Baby Back Ribs class is one of the best you’ll ever take!

Assorted vegetables

Who says you can only grill meat? You don’t have to leave out your non-meat-eating friends and family members! You can actually grill vegetables too!

Some delicious grilled vegetables include green beans, bell peppers, black beans, zucchini, squash, and corn on the cob, to name a few. For added flavor, smear them over with garlic butter – although we’re sure that’s gonna cut down on their healthiness. But at least they taste really good!

Grilled lobster tail – one of the best grill recipes for summer!

If ever you’re forming a summer bbq party menu, lobsters will definitely be a hit. Lobsters are expensive but for a very good reason: they taste really good! The meat has a naturally sweet and delicate flavor, with a firm but still delicate texture.

And despite what you might think, lobster tails are actually easy to prepare for grilling. You just need to brush them with butter or oil and grill them for a few minutes on each side until the meat is cooked. The result will be immaculately delicious!

And if it helps, lobster meat is a good source of not just protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, making it one of the healthiest foods to eat.

Grilled chicken breasts (or any other part) – another of the best summer meals to grill!

Of course, we can’t have a summer outing or occasion without chicken, right? Whatever part you want will do, although chicken breast cooks faster over the grill. And aside from the fact that both kids and adults love the taste of chicken, they’re also pretty versatile – season and prepare them in many ways!

While Pinoys particularly love chicken inasal, you can go about grilling chicken in plenty of ways, like BBQ chicken. Chicken goes great with rice, veggies, or inside a sandwich. What’s not to love, right?

Grilled salmon

Grilled salmon is just a simple dinner recipe (or lunch) that’s simple, easy to do, and very flavorful. Salmon especially has a distinctly delicate taste that everyone will just love. It’s easy to cook, especially for beginners, since it’s a very forgiving fish – it remains moist even if you overcook it.

It also helps that it has a variety of health benefits, making it a great alternative for people who want to cut down on meat but still enjoy eating grilled things. 

Grilled shrimp

If you don’t have lobsters, they don’t fit the budget, or you’re serving plenty of people in your outing, then definitely go for shrimps. They’re sweeter and fit the general budget more. 

When grilling them, you can also choose to leave the shell on. It won’t affect the flavor and is definitely added work, but it will make you slow down and relish the taste. Besides, no Pinoy summer outing is complete without doing some peeling of these grilled summer foods, agree?

Eat them with rice or veggies! Butter will also go great with them – and so will chugging down some beers while snacking on them.

Steak – one of THE best summer meals to grill

What can we say about steak, except that if you’re going to pick things to grill in summer, it might as well be steak? Our advice is to make sure you get the best cuts for grilling to make the experience worth it. And those marks on the steak look SO GOOD!

Eat it with rice, mashed potato, and other veggies to make it a really good meal. You can even pair it with lobster tails for your own surf and turf meal. It’s definitely some date night food for sure – great if you’re just grilling for two in the summer.

Grilled pizza – one of the best grilled summer recipes we’ve ever heard of!

You probably weren’t expecting pizza to be part of a list of grilled summer foods, but yes, grilled pizza is totally possible! You no longer have to order pizzas to bring to your outing – just make it when you arrive at your site! It’s still basically the process of cooking pizza but using a grill instead of an oven.

The best part is you can put your own toppings. Whether you want tomato sauce, cheese, meats, veggies, herbs, or anything else, it’s entirely in your control. Plus, you can get your friends or family members to make it with you – have a great and fun summer pizza party!

Want to achieve the best summer grilling ever?

We hope the list above gave you some ideas about what food to grill during the summer. Now the next question is, what easy recipes can you look at when it comes to grilled food?

Well, if you’re looking for some of the best bbq food recipes, we have them here at The Bailiwick Academy, especially with the entrance of our latest chef instructor, Chef Anthony Ang!

Check out his first class ever at The Bailiwick Academy: Sinugba Specialties! 

In this class, you’ll learn Chef Anthony’s methods for making grilled chicken recipes as well as pork and seafood. Specifically, you’ll be making some of the following best bbq options:

• Chicken Inasal
• Asian Pork Barbecue
• Grilled Squid
• Grilled Butterfly Bangus

Not only will you learn his recipes for grilling these, but you’ll also find out how to use Chef Anthony’s methods for portioning the meat for grilling, marinating, and basting. He’ll even show you the spices and secret ingredients he uses for juicy and delicious grilled meat!

And of course, what’s a Filipino barbecue without rice, right? That’s why Chef Anthony also includes bonus recipes for special fried rice! He doesn’t stop there: you’ll also get bonus recipes for chicken oil and crispy chicken skin!

In short, you’ve got a complete line-up for an awesome summer grill party menu! You can even open your own grill or sinugba food business if you feel like it – this class is that complete!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today and get to making these bbq summer meals. That way, when summer does finally roll around, you’ll have them perfected – and you’ll have some of the best grilled summer meals ever!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

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