Kebobs-Perfect for Father’s Day

‘Kebobs ‘ covers a huge, immensely varied category of dishes; one with probably more recipes, more choices, allowing for all cooking methods, and encompassing more ingredients than any other.  There are kebobs for every course, in every cuisine and for every occasion. I have seen them downloaded onto buns at barbeques and served flaming at formal affairs. Moreover, if you can’t find a recipe which suits your specific needs or desires, you can simply create your own.

However, perhaps the best aspect of kebobs is that, fundamentally, they are intended for advance prep and quick finishing/cooking just before serving. This makes them perfect meals for holidays, especially Father’s Day, which traditionally has a flexible schedule. Mother’s Day is generally focused on treating her to a dinner requiring no effort on her part, usually at a restaurant.  Father’s Day is more centered on giving Dad a day to do what he wants, a sport, a hobby, a project, and then a relaxing dinner. A menu with kebobs, geared to his taste, can be ready when he is. If Dad likes to grill, he can go to it. If he doesn’t, or the weather is bad, just move dinner to the oven.

The point is kebobs are completely adaptable. They can be made to cater to all schedules and preferences in any ethnic environment. Kebobs are a good choice in general. They’re healthy, low fat and low carb pairing lean protein with an endless variety of vegetables and fruit. They’re also efficient and economical. More can be cooked in less space than equal servings of other foods. They can be made from lesser cuts of meat because the marinating tenderizes, and can be paired with an endless variety of vegetables and fruit.  Depending on preparation, kebobs can be made to suit any cuisine and cater to all tastes.

Other advantages to kebobs are:
1)  Most recipes automatically allow for grilling or broiling—times are usually the same
2) Intended to be made ahead,  they’re time savers.

3) Portions can be predetermined (for children or as appetizers, for example) by using skewers of different lengths – all available in dollar stores
4) They can be eaten from the skewer, downloaded onto rolls or plates  
5) With the included vegetables and/or fruits they constitute a full meal and they’re healthy
6) Using the marinating tip below, they can be made weeks in advance
7) Easy clean up—just throw the wooden skewers away or soak the metal ones They can even be broiled on a foil covered cookie sheet—no grills or pans to scrub.

I’m including 10 recipes below. There are 2 for chicken, 2 for pork, 2 for beef, 2 for lamb and 2 for seafood. In my Memorial Day 2015 posting I gave several others, specifically a beef, a pork and a great barbequed shrimp. Together with these that makes multiple recipe choices, or springboards for ideas. Look them up. You’ll be glad you did.

Also below are a couple of paragraphs from the tips page for Month 2, Week 1, from my menu cookbook Dinners With Joy. The first will give you complete information on choosing and using skewers. The second outlines the method for marinating meat to have it ready weeks in advance of its menu scheduling.

“Skewers come in metal and wood. The wooden ones usually made of bamboo, are shorter and apt to burn if not soaked in water. If you use them often, an easy way to make sure you always have some ready is to soak an entire pack, blot them dry, and store them frozen, in a plastic bag. They do tend to dry over heat, and raw meat may stick to them as it cooks. To prevent this, spray them with cooking spray, or rub them lightly with oil. Metal skewers are usually longer and, having handles, better for heavier jobs like the Beef Kebobs this week .However, the metal does heat up, so make allowance for the fact that the food on them will be cooking from the center as well as the surface. Food rolls on metal skewers, and the best way to cope with that problem is to try to gently lift the skewer and turn it, or to use tongs and turn each piece. Using two skewers, from opposite ends is another option, but that can tear the food unless the pieces are large.

One easy way to cut marinating time is to start the meat or fish, marinating in a plastic bag in the refrigerator at time of purchase. If it has not been pre-frozen, as is most fish, and it’s to be used at a later date, freeze the bag, marinade and all. The time needed to freeze and to thaw, usually is enough to marinate. If the recipe requires overnight marinating, refrigerate it for a few hours before freezing. If using this technique to marinate lamb or veal, cook the meat partially frozen, because when those meats thaw, they release their juices faster and tend to dry and toughen.”

RECIPES

My Beef Kebobs: This is calculated for 5 skewers but 4 servings, so that the excess can be shared.
A crowd pleaser! Marinate the meat the night before or early in the day and the meal comes together quickly.
Grill or Broiler:
2 lbs. Top round London broil 20 cherry tomatoes
2 Tbs. red wine vinegar 2 large green bell peppers
1/3 cup oil 2 large onions
1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce 25 button mushroom caps
2 tsp . dried thyme – divided
2 tsp. dried oregano – divided 1 box long grain and wild rice mix
1 tsp. paprika – divided
2 tsp. dried rosemary – divided 5 skewers 12” long
2 tsp. garlic powder – divided
2 tsp. dry mustard powder – divided
Trim any fat off the meat. Place in an oblong glass dish; pour on the vinegar, oil and Worcestershire Sauce. Sprinkle half the given quantity of each of the herbs over it.
Allow to marinate for 2 hours, turn it over and sprinkle the rest of the herbs on the other side .Keep turning the meat every few hours for about 6 hours, or overnight. This is to give both sides of the meat equal time in the marinade. When ready to cook, cut meat into 25 large pieces. Reserve marinade.

Cut the peppers into 20 large pieces, and cut each onion in 8ths, then separate those pieces to make a total of 20 segments . Wash the mushrooms, saving the caps and slicing the stems. Thread 5 skewers, alternating meat and vegetables, starting and ending with meat. I find the vegetables hold better during cooking if the natural curved shape of the pepper and onion pieces is used to form parentheses enclosing the tomato and mushroom caps. Use a mushroom cap as a “ stopper” on the end of each skewer. Grill as per your usual routine but don’t overcook. If broiling, do it on a lower shelf, for 8-10 min. That way the vegetables have a chance to cook through without burned skins. Do not cook kebobs until rice is ready.
Cook the rice according to package directions, substituting the marinade for an equal amount of the water required, and adding the sliced mushroom stems. Hold on warm while meat cooks Alternately, boil marinade down and use as a dipping sauce.

Stew on the Grill –Serves 4
2 lbs. beef in cuts suitable for broiling, ½ to ¾ in thick – see charts- other meats optional in equal amounts
2 large all-purpose potatoes – cut in half crosswise
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2 large zucchini- cut in half lengthwise
2 large yellow squash- cut in half lengthwise
1 large green bell pepper-cut in quarters then dived the quarters half to make 8ths
8 cherry tomatoes
8 button mushroom caps
1 tsp.  Dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbs. oil
1 tsp. lemon pepper
Salt and pepper- if needed for the meat
(4) 6 inch bamboo  skewers- soaked
Microwave the potatoes 3 min. Set aside. Skewer the onions parallel the cut so they won’t separate into rings, and microwave 2 min. pausing to turn once. Evenly divide the mushrooms, pepper pieces and tomatoes between the skewers with the onions. Mix the oil herbs and seasonings and coat all the vegetables, Allow to marinate 10 minutes and baste with the excess during cooking.
Place meat 3-4 in. from heat source and sear 5 min. on the first side, then turn and cook 8-10 min on the other, testing for doneness. Times may differ for other meats.
Allow about 15 min cooking time for the vegetables. Cook along with the steak, checking they get done but don’t burn.

Chicken Pinwheels: Serves 4
4 boneless chicken breasts
4 slices deli ham or smoked turkey
3 Tbs.  tomato paste
1 tsp. garlic powder
Fresh basil leaves about ½ cup or 1 Tbs. dried basil
Salt and pepper
1 Tbs. Oil for brushing
Place the chicken breasts separately between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness. Spread each with the tomato paste, sprinkle with the basil and cover with a piece of ham. Roll the breasts around the filling and cut each into 4 slices per breast. Thread the slices on the skewers, brush with oil cook on a hot grill or under a broiler until done about 10 min. Serve with dipping sauce of choice or plain. For a quick solution, pick a favorite salad dressing say, Caesar.

Yogurt Marinated Chicken (Chicken Tikka): Serves 4
NOTE This recipe works well with drums and wings as well as kebobs
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 Tbs.  lemon or lime juice
Oil for brushing
½ cup plain yogurt
1 inch piece grated gingerroot or 1tsp.powdered ginger
2 cloves garlic minced or ½ tsp. powdered garlic
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp. turmeric (optional)
SAUCE
½ cup plain yogurt
Mint sauce, dried or fresh chopped mint to taste
Cut the chicken in 1 inch strips or 1 inch cubes, whichever suits your serving needs and marinate in citrus juice for 15 min. Mix yogurt and next 5 ingredients ( spices) Thread the chicken on skewers and cover with marinade, either in a plastic bag or flat dish. Allow to marinate at least 2 hours or overnight. Mix sauce yogurt with mint and chill allowing flavors to meld Grill chicken over hot coals or broil in oven, brushing with oil and turning frequently until cooked through . About 15 min Serve with dipping sauce.

Fish or Scallop Kebobs: Serves 4

Use any firm white fish, flounder, tilapia, whitefish, trout or scallops.
1 lb. fish or 16 scallops (preferably sea scallops – halved if large but equal 16 pieces)
2 zucchini
2 lemons – 1 juiced the other quartered
12 cherry tomatoes
2 bay leaves crumbled
1 tsp. chopped  fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried
½ tsp. lemon pepper
3 Tbs. oil
Cut the fish into 2 inch pieces or if easier into 2 inch strips, just be sure there are 16 pieces. Cut the zucchini or squash into 12 slices. Thread the fish onto 4 skewers using 4 pieces per skewer, alternating each with a tomato and piece of zucchini . Mix the other ingredients except for the quartered lemon. Use as a basting for the fish Cook under broiler or over medium-low coals basting frequently about 15 min.

Serve with lemon quarters.

Shrimp Kebobs: per 2 lbs. peeled, deveined raw shrimpMARINADE:  per 2 lbs. peeled, deveined raw shrimp

¼ cup chili sauce
3 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 cup olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
½ tsp. basil
¼ tsp. Tabasco
Marinate shrimp several hours at room temperature or overnight chilled. Thread the shrimp lengthwise on skewers, piercing twice per shrimp, and arranging alternately head-to-tail. Broil or grill turning once, until shrimp are opaque and the edges begin to brown. Serve with just lemon wedges, an extra batch of the above marinade or a mild BBQ sauce

Pork and Pineapple Kebobs: Serves 4
1 lb. pork cut into 16 well-trimmed cubes
12 pieces of pineapple = 1 small can rings or chunks – apples, peaches or mangos will also do
Pineapple juice from can reserved or ¼ cup apple juice-divided
1 onion –layers divided into 12 pieces about 1 ½ inches each
2 Tbs. oil
½ cup Dijon or spicy brown mustard –divided
¼ cup mayonnaise
1/8 tsp. dried dill weed(optional)
Thread the pork, pineapple and onion pieces alternately on skewers. Mix ¼ cup mustard, 2 Tbs. fruit juice and oil and baste skewers liberally before and frequently during cooking. Mix remaining mustard, mayonnaise and 2 Tbs. of fruit juice to make a dipping sauce. Grill kebobs over hot coals or broil until meat is done, about 15 min. Serve with dipping sauce garnished with dill weed.

Pork Satay Kebobs: Serves 4-6
1 lb. pork loin in 1 inch cubes
2 green bell peppers in 1 inch pieces
1 cup peeled pearl onions
1 cup cherry tomatoes
MARINADE
¼ cup lemon juice
2 Tbs. peanut butter
1 Tbs. oil
1 tsp. crushed coriander seed1 tsp. garam masala-optional
Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and marinate pork chilled 1 hr. at least. Drain meat and thread alternately with vegetables on skewers. Grill over medium coals, or cook under broiler, 6-8 min per side.

Marinated Lamb Kebobs-Serves 6
2-2 ½ lb. lamb shoulder, well-trimmed, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/8 tsp. minced garlic-about 1 clove
¼ cup white wine vinegar
½ cup sherry-cream or dry depending on preference
2 Tbs. oil
3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint+ more for garnish
Pour the liquids into a bowl, add the garlic and mint and crush with a pestle or a wooden spoon. When well incorporated add the lamb and marinate for 6-8 hr. or overnight chilled. Thread the lamb on skewers and grill over medium coals for 20-30 min. or until desired doneness, basting with marinade. Serve hot garnished with chopped mint.

Minty Ground Lamb Kebobs: Serves 4
1 lb. ground lamb
3 cardamom pods or 1½ tsp. ground cardamom
2 tsp. cumin seeds or 1 ¾ tsp. ground
2 tsp. coriander seeds or 1 ¾ tsp. ground

3 cloves or ¼ tsp. ground
6 black peppercorns or 1 tsp. ground
½ tsp. salt
1 small onion in small dice
2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
1 egg –slightly beaten
2 garlic cloves-minced
½ inch piece of gingerroot – minced
SAUCE
½ cup plain yogurt
3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
(1) 4 inch piece of grated cucumber
1 tap. Chutney –optional
Mix the sauce ingredients and keep chilled. Have 4 skewers ready. If using whole spices, dry fry them in a skillet for a few minutes until they darken a shade and become aromatic, then grind. If using ground, you can warm them in an oven for a few minutes to enhance their flavor.  Process the garlic and ginger to paste, add all the other ingredients except those for sauce. Process until finely chopped; divide the meat mix into 4 portions and mold each portion into 4 sausage shaped rolls around a Cook under a preheated hot broiler 10-15 min. turning occasionally until well browned. Serve hot with sauce.