The Best Barbeque Birthday Lunch

For my boyfriend's birthday, he requested a barbeque lunch on the beach. So the usuals came to mind: corn, steak, potatoes, etc. But he requested eggplant (randomly!) so I brainstormed some variations and here's what I came up with.

- Steak and Sausages

- Onion and Garlic Baby Potatoes

- Marinated Eggplant and Mushroom Skewers with Lemon Goat's Cheese Dip

Easy Right? It took me 15 minutes to throw in a cardboard box before we headed to the beach.

Soak skewers in warm water and just before leaving for the beach wrap in water soaked paper towel. Chop chunks of eggplant and place in a large tupperware container with a half cup of Kikkoman Steak Sauce and drizzled olive oil. Throw into the box, a bag of whole mushrooms, enough to alternate with the eggplant.

Chop baby potatoes in quarters and throw into a tin foil packet with diced onions, garlic and butter.

For the dip, use about 75g of goat's cheese (your choice of flavour), to every tbsp of olive oil and 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice. Add a slight bit of water as you stir if the consistency isn't quite right. Add s&p and if you're addicted like me - a dash of lemon pepper. This dip makes anything taste unbelievable.

For snacks, I chopped up pineapple, strawberries and threw in some blueberries. Then it was simply a matter of picking up some beer and throwing the meat and all the rest on the barbeque until the eggplant's soft and the potatoes are cooked through.

Enjoy!