Beach barbecue the easy way

Less lugging, more joy

If you like the crisp edges of lasagne, the soaked croutons, the whipped cream that gets icy around the chocolate scoop - you’re in the right place.

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Moons ago, I’d head to the beach before my family/friends to ‘set up’.... I’d pack a trunkful of food and plates, give my coals time to burn down, mock up a kitchen station with various bowls to marinate veg coming off the grill, sizzle trays to season fish, and cutting boards to rest and slice steaks. The firepit looked like a seaside pop-up.

Sadly, my days of self-indulgent cooking are over. The kit and the kids come to the beach all at once. And the pleasure of eating from a fire by the sea must not be overtaken by the pain of lugging full coolers one way, dirties and tired kids back the other. Here’s how I reduce the fiasco to a minimum without shortchanging one of summer's great pleasures: Sunset ushered along by spicy tomato salsa, bubbling clam juice and smoking marshmallows.

P.S. The four recipes below are flexible — it seems impossible to have all the ingredients or tools one might like on vacation — and really — so many ways can taste great. I’ve provided a lot of options. All prepped before heading to the beach.