Summer Sizzles

Welcoming summer with al-fresco dining ideas and barbecue inspiration.

One of the things we look forward to the most in summer is the chance to be outside and dine. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the sun whilst on holiday having lunch or dinner with a glass of rosé or two. And of course, there is nothing better than the smell and taste of barbecuing to really get the taste buds flowing. I, for one, love to cook as much as I can on the barbecue whenever it’s not raining. Everything goes on the barbecue from meats to seafood and any vegetable. I also love the fact that us dads tend to want to do most of the cooking, which gives many mums a well-deserved break from the daily routine of feeding the family.

I really like the chance to experiment on a barbecue with different marinades, dressings and sauces. Inspiration can come from many countries; such as marinated beef with chimichurri sauce from Argentina; chicken satay with peanut sauce from South East Asia, and grilled pork souvlaki from Greece. Or maybe something closer to home, like a line- caught Cornish mackerel bap with pickles, beetroot, and tartare sauce, or even a simple grilled local lobster with garlic butter and fries. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with the good old favourites of burgers, sausages and marinated chicken. The combinations are endless.

Then the question is, which barbecue to buy? I have a selection of barbecues between the restaurants and home. With a multitude of variations in type and different fuels available, there are many choices to make. I personally love a mix of wood and charcoal. The charcoal gives fantastic heat while the wood adds flavour. I personally have a Green Egg at home which I really enjoy. These types of barbecues are called ‘kamado’ as they are made from insulated ceramic, designed to keep hot. It takes a little bit of practice to cook well on one as you need to use the vents underneath, and on the lid, to control the heat. But once you’ve mastered the art, the benefit is that they stay very hot and you can barbecue for up to three hours on one light. I also think a gas barbecue has its place, as they are easier to light and give instant and controllable heat, which is much better for people who want to cook in a hurry. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best.

We have a Konro grill at Kota, which is effectively a small box that doesn’t take up much room that we use to grill ingredients. They’re particularly handy if you’re just barbecuing for two and don’t want to cook too much, as they use very little fuel to get nice and hot for grilling. At Kota Kai, we have a Josper Grill that is a beast! It can reach temperatures of up to 400°C. We throw so many different ingredients on it and are constantly experimenting to see what it can do. 

One of the focus areas at Kota Kai this summer is our al-fresco dining area on the green on Porthleven’s harbour head. It has the best views over the harbour and, with seating for up to 70 people, it’s already very popular. We will be serving a selection of barbecue dishes accompanied by jugs of cocktails, sangria and a lovely wine list, all designed for summer dining. I hope to be doing a few barbecue days directly on the green if the weather permits – keep an eye on our socials for more details and I hope to see you there!

Kota Kai
Harbour Head, Porthleven TR13 9JY
01326 562407 / 01326 727707
www.kotarestaurant.co.uk
www.kotakai.co.uk