Grilling Shish Kebabs
Call a few friends and fire up the grill. Try something a little more “elegant” with shish kebabs. They are easy to prepare, easy to grill, look good and taste great. When complimented with a simple salad, French bread, and roasted potatoes, the meal is complete.
Kebab Tips
1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least an hour. This will keep them from burning on the ends.
2. Cut meat and vegetables into bite-size pieces. This may eliminate the need for a sharp steak knife.
3. Marinate meat, chicken, or seafood at least two hours. However, do not marinate more than 24 hours.
4. Crimini or baby portabella mushrooms are a great vegetarian substitution for many marinades. Since mushrooms are very porous, marinate for only 1-2 hours.
5. To baste chicken kebabs with marinade while grilling, make some extra marinade and set it aside so that it will not come in contact with the raw chicken.
Citrus Chicken Kebabs
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1 Tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1-1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 red bell pepper, cut into triangular pieces
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into triangular pieces
1 medium zucchini, cut into semi-circular pieces
In a medium bowl, combine orange juice concentrate through rosemary and mix well. Add cubed chicken. Cover and marinate for 2-24 hours.
Skewer 4-5 chicken cubes, alternating with pepper and zucchini pieces on bamboo or metal skewers. Grill, turning often, until chicken cubes are cooked through. (Time varies depending on grill.)
Savory Marinade for Beef or Mushroom Kebabs
Note: My mom has been serving these for years and they’re always a big hit! I even made them for my first grill-out party when I was in high school.
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Marinate beef in mixture for several hours. (Mushrooms need less time – no more than an hour.) Skewer with bell peppers, onions, or vegetables of choice.
