Have you ever been to a barbecue? Many of us enjoy roasting meat over the fire but no one ever wonder..........eating of the food. Just a piece of advice to beginners: Bring along some indigestion medicine.

Have you ever been to a barbecue? Many of us enjoy roasting meat over the fire but no one ever wonder who first started the idea of cooking meat in a fire. Perhaps, it is just in the human psyche that we sometimes feel the need to return to the primitive times, probably to relieve us of our urbanized life. That is why many people, regardless of age, love to hold barbecue gatherings. The idea of gathering round a fire and roast some meat just sounds fun. The meat may sometimes be half-cooked or not cooked at all (sounds horrible) but the joy of primitive cooking is there.

The first step towards the preparation for a barbecue is to rent a barbecue pit which usually comes with the barest essentials. After all, we are supposed to return to the early time frame. Of course, during peak seasons like the school holidays, when the pits are fully booked, you may try digging one at the back of your garden. Next, get ready the wire netting, otherwise, you will find yourself roasting the meat on the hot charcoal. Skewers which are important for holding the meat pieces; utensils for picking up the food like forks and spoons, paper plates and cups must not be left out.

Next comes the preparation of the most important part of the barbecue - the food. In fact, any kind of meat will be suitable. If meat pieces are bought, like chicken, beef or mutton, slice them into thin pieces before piercing in the skewers. Chicken wings are the best. Simply stretch the wings apart and push in the skewers. Following which, the meat is to be soaked in a mixture of spices for marination, giving them some flavor. An easier and faster way out would be to brush 'Maggie' barbecue sauce over them. Remember to order a few hundred sticks of satay too. A barbecue without satay will not be a barbecue.

When everything is ready, start the fire with charcoal, one hour before the start of the feast. Once the fire is started, let it all burn till glowing embers are left. Then place the sticks of meat over the wire netting and there you are, the barbecue has begun. Do not worry about overcooking the meat. After all, the real joy behind the barbecue lies in the cooking not eating of the food. Just a piece of advice to beginners: Bring along some indigestion medicine. 

Summary: Firstly, rent a barbecue pit. Bring a wire netting to hold the food over the fire, skewers to hold the meat pieces, utensils for picking up the food, paper plates and cups. Any type of meat will be suitable for the barbecue but chicken wings are the best. Simply pierce the skewers through the thin slices of meat or chicken wings. Next, marinate the meat either by soaking them in a spice mixture or coating them with 'Maggie' barbecue sauce. Order some satay too. Once the preparations are done, start the fire, one hour before the feast. Let the fire burn till glowing coals remain before starting to roast the meat. Beginners may need to bring along some indigestion medicine.