Summer isn't far off now that May is here, which means it's time to start considering setting up the barbecue.

Whether you like to grill your favourite summer foods out in the garden or in the more controlled environment of your kitchen, there are lots of tasty options to try.

Rather than simply reaching for the usual pack of sausages or frozen burgers, here are some great and tasty barbecue foods to try out this year:

Sticky BBQ chicken skewers

Chicken skewers are easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making your barbecue much easier to arrange. They are also incredibly tasty, so are likely to become a firm family favourite.

To start, simply cut up skinless chicken breasts into chunks and pop them on your skewers - if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for a few hours first as this will stop the chicken sticking to them.

Next up, blend garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, paprika and raw bacon into a smooth paste. Rub this over your chicken skewers, making sure they get a nice thick coating. Pop them on a plate and cover with clingfilm to allow them to marinate for a few hours.

Grill your skewers until nearly cooked through and then brush on your BBQ sauce - you can combine this with a splash of bourbon too if you like - and finish cooking. The result is succulent and flavourful chicken with a sticky sauce coating.

Dry ribs

Ribs are a popular choice for barbecues and are a relatively easy way to feed a lot of people. You can get rack of ribs from the butcher, so to start with you'll need some good quality pork ribs.

Next, prepare the dry rub by mixing, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, cayenne, cumin, parsley, cumin, brown sugar and salt together. You can add other spices if you want to mix it up a bit.

Set aside two tablespoons of this mixture to one side before rubbing the rest over your pork ribs. Allow the ribs to marinate overnight in the fridge.

Create a basting sauce by mixing the rest of your spice mix with apple juice and water. When your grill is at the right temperature, place the ribs top side down and baste with the sauce every 20 minutes.

Then just serve the rack up and allow people to get stuck in!

Lemon and garlic king prawn kebabs

Fish and seafood are also great for barbecues and serve as a nice alternative for those who don't eat a lot of meat. A really simple seafood option is king prawn skewers, which will offer a fresh and tasty dish for your family.

Simply melt some butter and mix in dried oregano, thyme, basil, crushed garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. Prepare your raw king prawns and then put them on your skewers - you can also add lemon slices for presentation.

Brush with the butter mix and grill until the prawns are pink and cooked. Drizzle over a bit more of the butter and then serve.