DELUXE TRAVELLER

Grilled over hot coals, pork satays are a Thai street food classic

Thailand boasts an impressive culinary culture, and its selection of spicy soups, fragrant curries and crunchy salads are all likely to get your taste buds tingling. However, the kingdom offers a plethora of delectable barbecued goods as well, and what better place to try them than at your private villa? Top of the range barbecues are a common feature in many of Thailand’s high-end holiday properties, so there will be plenty of chances to test out your cooking skills during your stay.

If you don’t feel like cooking yourself, you could even ask your villa’s professional chef to prepare a barbecue feast for you. He or she will have an exquisite selection of tasty marinades and recipes up their sleeve, so you’ll be able to feast on some truly authentic treats. Alternatively, they can even grill Western-style dishes if you prefer. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite barbecue dishes for you to sample for your al fresco barbecue feast.

Surf and turf

A surf and turf feast offers meat and fish lovers the best of both worlds

If you simply can’t choose between meat or fish, don’t worry – a surf and turf spread could be the perfect option for your barbecue. Essentially, surf and turf is any main course meal that combines seafood and meat. The classic choice would be lobster tail and filet mignon, but you can go with whichever ingredients you fancy for your protein-packed meal.

Another option is to have succulent grilled shrimp – pre-marinated in a fragrant lemon and garlic sauce – with a juicy flat iron steak. Ask your chef to marinate the prawns for several hours before grilling them on the barbecue so the flavour can really soak in. If you’re staying in Koh Samui or Phuket, the close proximity of the ocean means that you’ll be able to use delicious freshly-caught prawns. Plus, brushing them with butter just before putting them on the barbecue will give an irresistible indulgence.

Another surf and turf option would be to have rib eye steak, grilled to perfection, with oysters. Once again, you’ll be able to source high quality oysters easily in Thailand, establishing a fresh and fantastic meal to remember. Topping the steak with mushrooms sautéed in butter and garlic will add extra flavour and decadence.

Luxury barbecue

Grilled lobster offers a more luxurious choice for your barbecue

If you’re in the mood for a splurge, then only lobster will do. This king of shellfish boasts a delectable, meaty texture and a sublime buttery flavour. If you’re keen to impress guests at a dinner party or barbecue pool party, then lobster is certainly an option that you should consider having on the menu.

Once again, thanks to the close proximity of the ocean, you know you’ll always be able to get your hands on the finest quality produce. Plus, Thailand also imports world-class lobsters from the east coast of the US. If you ask your villa manager in advance, he or she might be able to source imported lobster for you, because sometimes, only the best of the best will do.

Your lobster feast will be best enjoyed with a chilled glass of white wine overlooking the ocean, as you’ll need a dining area with wow factor to match your delicious meal. In terms of side dishes, a spicy-sour dish of traditional Thai som tam might just do the trick.

When in Rome

Succulent chicken satays are sure to go down a hit at your villa barbecue

Thai cuisine is enjoyed across the globe, thanks to its stunning array and delicate balance of salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavours. If you’re enjoying a vacation in the kingdom, no one would blame you for wanting to stick purely to Thai dishes for the duration of your stay. If you’re seeking out inspiration for a Thai-themed barbecue, local markets are the best place. Here, you’ll be enticed by the aroma of freshly grilled meat as its fragrance wafts from the stalls of local vendors.

Pork and chicken satays are two scrumptious dishes that you’re sure to see as you wander around the market. In addition to the irresistible edge that being grilled over hot coals gives to the satay, it’s the marinade that really gives the dish its kick. Minced shallots, garlic, cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chilli, fish sauce, lemon juice and coconut milk are all diced and mixed to make the marinate. If you want your satays to have a real kick, ask your villa’s chef to leave them in the marinade overnight. Not only will this guarantee flavour, but it will also ensure the meat remains succulent once it is barbecued. Serve with a peanut dipping sauce and you’re onto a winner.

Thai classic

Pla pao is a classic Thai dish, and will taste fantastic when prepared by your villa’s professional chef

When asked to envision the typical barbecue spread, many of us will come up with the classic choices – sausages, burgers and chicken wings. However, the ingenious Thai way of grilling a whole fish on the barbecue means that fruits of the sea are often found in barbecue feasts here, too. Known as pla pao, Thai grilled fish is something you’re also likely to see as you graze your way around many local markets. A thick layer of salt covers the whole fish, keeping the flesh inside moist and succulent when you come to eat it. Typically, red hybrid tilapia or snakehead fish would be used for this recipe – but there’s no reason why you can’t ask your villa’s chef to prepare the same dish with fresh and locally-caught snapper instead.

The first step is to stuff lemongrass stalks and kaffir lime leaves inside the fish to infuse the flesh with a divine aromatic flavour. The fish is them coated with a thick layer of salt, mixed with flour and water. This mixture will form a sticky kind of paste, but it’s going to keep your fish moist and magnificent as its grilled.

The veggie option

Marinating vegetables in a spicy sauce will give this tasty meat-free kebab an extra kick

 

While barbecues are typically thought of as meat feasts, that doesn’t mean vegetarians have to miss if you host a barbecue in your luxury villa. In fact, vegetable kebabs can make a tasty appetiser or side dish – even if there are no vegetarians around. Ask your villa’s chef to infuse veggie kebabs with spicy Thai flavours by marinating the vegetables in advance. Courgettes, tomatoes, peppers and even pineapple can be marinated in garlic, chilli, lemon juice, soy sauce and sugar for a few hours to give them an flavoursome kick.

TIPS

Once your barbecue feast is ready to go, you can take your pick from a choice of scenic dining spots throughout your private villa:

• Many properties come with their own open-air salas, perfect for enjoying the sea breeze without being directly in the sun as you eat
• Other dwellings feature large al fresco dining areas, either on the pool terrace or on elevated decks overlooking the ocean
• For a reprieve from the sun, why not tuck into your barbecue feast in your villa’s stylish indoor dining area? The ocean views will be just as good from here, too