Food & Drink

Niall McKenna’s bank holiday barbecue recipes

Niall is hoping for blue skies this weekend as he rustles up some barbecue chilli sticky ribs and baby gems

Niall McKenna's bbq chilli sticky ribs
Niall McKenna's bbq chilli sticky ribs

It’s the last bank holiday of the summer and what better way to celebrate the long weekend than gathering around the barbecue with your nearest and dearest. I find barbecuing the best way to elevate cheap cuts of meat, especially when coated in delicious herbs and spices.

The barbecue is also a fantastic way to cook off baby gems or sweetcorn and is another firm favourite in our household. Fingers crossed for blue skies… enjoy!

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BBQ Chilli Sticky Ribs

Niall McKenna's bbq chilli sticky ribs
Niall McKenna's bbq chilli sticky ribs
Ingredients

(Serves 4)

  • 2 pork rib racks, 800g
  • 1 tsp all spice
  • ¼ tbsp chilli flakes
  • 4 tsp caster sugar
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp honey, runny
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Method
  • Firstly, place all the dry ingredients into a pestle and mortar and grind to a coarse powder. Then, add in the garlic, ginger, oil and honey, seasoning with salt and pepper.
  • Next, place your ribs onto a tray and coat with seasoning. Cover with tinfoil and place in the fridge to marinate for six hours.
  • Once the barbecue is ready, remove from the fridge and wrap in a layer of greaseproof paper and tinfoil. Place on the barbecue using a deflector plate (this works best on a Big Green Egg or similar style BBQ). Close the lid and cook for two hours at 130C.
  • Once ready to serve, carefully remove from the greaseproof paper and tinfoil wrap and slice through the ribs.


BBQ Baby Gem

Niall McKenna's bbq baby gems
Niall McKenna's bbq baby gems
Ingredients

(Serves 2)

  • 2 baby gems, washed and halved
  • ¼ bulb fennel, sliced on mandolin
  • 25ml olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 10g chives, finely chopped
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 1 tsp honey
  • Salt
  • Pepper
Method
  • Firstly, place oil, garlic, lemon juice and honey into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Pour into a small bowl and keep at room temperature.
  • Next, halve the baby gems, brush with the sauce and lay cut side down onto a barbecue and cook for two to three minutes until slightly coloured but with a bit of bite.
  • Next, add the fennel to your sauce and stir. This will pickle the fennel and soften it.
  • When removing the baby gem from the barbecue, place on a plate and garnish with the fennel sauce and chopped chives.