5 Great barbecue books

Nothing shoos the winter away better than firing up the slumbering grill. This season, bring a bit of novelty and innovation to the grill with the help of these fantastic cookbooks.

If you’re like us and have been flipping through the pages of Canadian Living for years, devouring its recipes, then this book is for you. This collection boasts over 350 recipes that are promised to have gone through the rigorous “tried-and-tested” routine the magazine is famous for. As in any true Canadian publication, the recipes draw from the variety of flavours our multiculturalism has brought together and translates them into delicious grilled foods. Aside from the amazing grilled meat recipes, we recommend you try out the mint dipping sauce — it’s to die for!

When it comes to the grill, Bobby Flay knows what he’s talking about and has made a successful career out of it. The beauty of this cookbook is that it’s easy to follow (no unnecessary detours or fluff), but it experiments with and introduces incredibly vibrant flavours. All ingredients can be picked up at a local grocer’s, and the recipes cover everything from meat to dessert. Boy Meets Grill was first published in 1999 and remains innovative — it has stood the test of time. So if you’re looking for simple grilling recipes with a twist, this is perfect for you.

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This is a saviour for all those struggling vegetarian and vegan grillers out there. This book has not only an El Dorado of yummy recipes but more photos than you can count. It offers recipes for every need, including dessert, and is very easy to follow. Our favourite aspect of the book, hands down, is the comprehensive explanation of how to properly grill fake meat, because all non-meat eaters know it’s nearly impossible. It’s time for vegans to join the world of barbecuing, and Grilling Vegan Style will get you there. We recommend the grilled vegetables on focaccia and the tropical kebabs. Need we say more?

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The best recipes come from people who love to be in the kitchen, and Chris Knight is definitely in love with the grill. The Complete Licence to Grill features over 200 recipes for meat, vegetables and fruit. The book also teaches you how to choose the right meat and the appropriate cooking time for each. The recipes are simple, comprehensive and, best of all, written with a bit of humour. Just think of grilling up some lemon grass smoked duck or corn with a chipotle-maple glaze. If these speak to you, then so will this great cookbook on grilling.

This book really is like a grilling bible and should be owned by everyone. It features over 500 recipes. Yes, 500 recipes! It’s an all-inclusive book. Anything and everything you need to know about barbecuing is in it, not only in terms of recipes (which span every category, including necessary dips) but also in terms of grilling and preparation techniques. The recipes draw inspiration from all around the world, which is refreshing. However, this cookbook is minimal on photos, so if you’re more of a visual person, take that into consideration. If you do pick up this baby, we recommend the lamb and eggplant kebabs — you’ll thank us later!

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