Choosing Ingredients for Outdoor Barbecues
A Healthy Barbecue with Balanced Meat and Vegetables
Generally speaking, ladies often prefer vegetables and fruits, while gentlemen are big fans of meat. In situations like hiking deep in the mountains where convenience stores are scarce, it's strongly recommended that you avoid being picky and aim for a balanced meal with both meat and vegetables to maintain healthy nutrition. Eating too many vegetables can reduce your energy levels and make you feel hungry faster, while eating only meat can lead to excessive internal heat and thirst. Below, let’s take a look at several categories of food suitable for outdoor barbecues.
1. Meat Products: Lamb skewers, lamb kidney skewers, beef skewers, chicken wings, chicken fillets, chicken gizzards, and so on. It’s important to note that meat products are prone to spoilage, so always choose fresh ones. It’s recommended to buy pre-marinated packaged meat skewers from supermarkets and check the expiration date before purchasing. If you have specific taste preferences for the skewers, you can definitely make them yourself. When making them, it’s best not to use frozen meat; cut the meat into pieces that are neither too large nor too small. Marinate with seasonings such as salt, MSG, ginger juice, and onion juice, then thread onto bamboo skewers and set aside. For seafood options, you can choose live fish, fresh squid, cuttlefish, live shrimp, hairy crabs, fresh scallop skewers, etc.—the key is to ensure they are “fresh.” Live fish should be descaled, gutted, cleaned, and marinated with salt and wine. Fresh squid and cuttlefish tend to curl up when placed directly over the fire, so you can secure them with bamboo or toothpicks beforehand. For convenience, you can also buy ready-made semi-products like shrimp or scallop skewers from the supermarket, just like meat skewers.
2. Grains and Soy Products: Steamed bun slices, bread slices, small baked pancakes, cooked buns, tofu cubes, yuba (dried tofu skin), etc. These foods are not only appetizing but also filling. Grilled grains can even help soothe the stomach, making them great for friends with stomach issues. When grilling grains, adding sesame oil or chili oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper can enhance the flavor significantly. Tofu cubes and yuba, on the other hand, benefit more from the addition of barbecue sauce for taste.
3. Vegetables and Fruits: Potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, yams, taro, and leafy greens are all great choices. These foods require some preparation—peel and slice potatoes and sweet potatoes before departure (to prevent oxidation and discoloration, don’t leave them sliced for too long); choose thinner yams and smaller taros; wash leafy greens thoroughly. Garlic is especially recommended—it has a unique grilled flavor and natural antibacterial properties, making it ideal for outdoor eating. You can also try grilling fruits like apples, bananas, and walnuts.
Note: It’s best to do as much food prep as possible at home—peeling, slicing, etc.—before setting off. Avoid doing these tasks outdoors. Don’t leave sliced foods exposed for too long to prevent oxidation and discoloration. Aim for a diverse selection of foods, not just meat skewers—balance meat and vegetables. The amount of food should be determined by the number of people—don’t prepare too little, or it won’t be satisfying, but don’t overdo it either to avoid waste.
Traveler's Words Outdoor Network Outdoor Common Sense (http://bbs.xzwyu.com) eLong Travel Guide