It’s now official, summer has arrived and it’s time to get ready to barbecue and dine al fresco!

There are lots of possibilities of equipment to choose from, so for those of you who have a gas fired barbecue you will be ready to kick off at the turn of a knob.  Then there is the quick and easy -anywhere goes style- disposable kind. Or the traditional charcoal, whether you are the owner of the Weber model, or an open top or a kettle type all will produce the wonderful smoked flavoured food you've been waiting for.
 
So stock up now with the fuels and fire lighting accessories you will need, like charcoal, wood, barbecue firelighters, long-handled tongs, fork, skewers, and of course the all-important heatproof gloves and apron.
 
Although steak, spare ribs, burgers are among the most popular to barbecue - the photo is just mouthwatering!- I'd like to share with you an old favourite which is quick and easy:

A perfect recipe for Valentine's Day

​Ingredients:
130 g Plain flour
2 tbsp. Cocoa
1/4 tsp Bread soda
120 g Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp White wine vinegar
120 g Butter
150 g Caster sugar
1 Egg
Red colouring

Filling
 300 g Cream cheese
100 g Butter
100 g Icing sugar


Directions:

1. Sift together flour, cocoa and bread soda.
2. Mix together the buttermilk, vanilla and white wine vinegar.
3. Mix together the butter and sugar until mix is light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg and mix then add remaining dry ingredients and liquid.  Add the red colouring and make sure mixture is smooth and well mixed.
5. Place in Swiss roll tin which has been lined with parchment.
6. Bake in oven 160ᵒC for 20-25 minutes.  Mixture should be spongy and spring back when touched.
7. Leave in tin to cool.
8. Prepare the filling: cream together all the ingredients.
9. Sprinkle parchment with icing sugar.
10. Turn the sponge out onto the parchment
11. Spread the cream cheese mix over the sponge and star to roll the sponge up, rolling away from you.
12. Dust with icing sugar.