How to elevate your barbecues with the perfect blend of Spices

The tantalizing aroma of sizzling meat on the grill, accompanied by a symphony of spices, is a hallmark of the ultimate barbecue experience. If you’re tired of the same old flavours and want to take your grilling game to new heights, then it’s time to unlock the magic of spices. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting your barbecue journey, adding spices to your barbecues can turn ordinary dishes into mouthwatering delights that leave your guests craving more.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the art of using spices to enhance the flavours of your grilled meats and vegetables. From creating custom spice blends to understanding the right techniques for marinating, we’ll provide you with all the essential tips and tricks to become a spice whisperer at your next barbecue gathering.

The world of spices is vast, and choosing the right spices can make all the difference. As always, it’s important to choose a fresh, quality spice, which you can tell by the colour and intense aroma of the package. At La Plantation, all the spices are produced on our farm, where they are harvested, processed and packaged on the same day, before being sent to Europe every 3 months! This unique traceability, down to the very last pepper plant, is truly exceptional in the world of spices, and offers unrivalled freshness.

For barbecues, there are a variety of popular spices that are commonly used, from favourites like Smoked Long Chili, which is similar to paprika, to Black Kampot Pepper for its full-bodied flavour, or even a smoked version that can be ground directly onto the meat. Flower of Salt (Fleur de Sel) is a must, of course, and ours comes directly from a family of salt-makers. Find out more in this article! Enhance your grilled meats with our unique, ready-to-use spice blends, such as our Smoky Mix for ribs, or our Citrus Mix for chicken.
Understanding the flavour profiles of different spices will help you tailor your spice combinations to specific types of meat or vegetables. But like everything else, you need to break the rules and not hesitate to create your own innovative combinations by experimenting in the kitchen!

You’ve been loving them ever since they were launched a few months ago, and our new range of Rubs has been designed to bring some great spicy flavours to barbecues! Our Cacao Rub is powerful and will add a little spice, our Campfire Rub will surprise you with its smoky notes, the Green Pepper Rub is very fresh, and is a tribute to the vegetal aromas of the green pepper picked on our Kampot Farm before it reaches full maturity in February, and finally our Mekong Rub is slightly aniseed-flavoured, and will take you on an immediate journey to our beautiful part of the world.

Marinating your meat is a crucial stage in giving it flavour and tenderness. Thanks to our range of Rubs, you’ll have a marinade ready in 5 minutes, which you can prepare either dry, by tapping directly onto the meat, or wet, by mixing our Rubs with olive oil or yoghurt and then brushing over them.
Here are our favourite combinations for this summer:

– Chicken and fresh goat’s cheese burger + Mekong Rub
– Lamb + Campfire Rub
– Pork or Tofu & Aubergine + Cocoa Rub
– Prawns + Green Pepper Rub

Vegetarian and vegan barbecues are no less exciting when it comes to using spices. Thanks to our spice blends with intense flavours, you can transform grilled vegetables and plant-based proteins into something just as delectable as their meaty counterparts! From portobello mushrooms marinated in Yellow Curry, to mouth-watering tofu kebabs spiced with Cacao Rub, to tempeh marinated in Campfire Rub, your plant-based barbecue options will never be bland again!

Don’t have the time or the inclination to go for a marinade? No problem, you can grill your meat, fish and vegetables with a little Flower of Salt, and spice them up afterwards by bringing our Spice Sauces straight to the table. If you haven’t already tried our Khmer Roots Sauce, you’ll be seduced by its resemblance to the famous piccalilli sauce, which the British love to use at barbecues with grilled sausages.

For more classic flavours, but always revisited with our spices (directly from our farm), discover our BBQ Tamarind and Khmer Ketchup Sauces, which are sure to please the whole family!
For lovers of spicy and exotic flavours, head for Spicy Pineapple and Mango two sauces made from fully ripe Cambodian fruits, and bottled locally of course. You’ve been warned: these sauces will give your guests a hot kick!

If you fancy trying our Spicy Sauces but they’re a bit too strong for you, don’t panic, you can mix them into mayonnaise, yoghurt or even guacamole, for example. It’s a great way to discover spices in a gentle way, and to impress with a delicious homemade sauce.

Conclusion:
Spices have the power to turn ordinary barbecues into extraordinary culinary experiences. By choosing the right spices, discovering our unique blends, mastering the marinade and perfecting your grilling techniques, you’ll be able to seduce the taste buds of your guests and let them rave about your barbecue skills.

See you soon for more tips!