Kabobs

For our recent BBQ, we decided to go all kabob for the ease of grilling and dividing. Soak wooden skewers for an hour before using.


Insalata Caprese Kabobs with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Ingredients:
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 small container cherry tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) container fresh mozzarella (recommended: Ciliegine)
1 bunch large fresh basil leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil, as needed
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Directions:
Preheat a grill to medium heat.

To make the sauce, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and reduce very slowly on low heat. Stir occasionally until it reduced to the consistency of syrup, approximately 10 minutes.

Onto a skewer, layer 1 cherry tomato, 1 piece of fresh mozzarella and 1 large folded basil leaf. Repeat this pattern until 2 inches are left on the end of the skewer. Push the ingredients down towards the bottom tip for easy handling of the tops. Repeat with the remaining skewers and ingredients. When the skewers are ready to grill, put them onto a large piece of foil, brush them with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the sheet of foil with the skewers onto the grill and shut the lid until the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes. When finished, pull the skewers from the heat by gripping the sides of the foil. Drizzle each skewer evenly with the balsamic reduction. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.


Honey Chipotle Lime Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts in 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons adobo sauce (minced chipotle peppers if you want to make it spicier)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons good-quality honey
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and pepper to taste
Bell peppers and red onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions:
Whisk together adobo sauce, olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, salt and pepper until well blended to make a marinade. Put chicken into a large resealable plastic bag with marinade and refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally, for three hours, or overnight.

Skewer chicken on skewers, along with peppers and red onions. Grill chicken until just cooked through and slightly charred, turning often, about eight minutes.


Marinated Beef Kabobs

Ingredients:
2 pounds trimmed beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons beef stock or red wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoons steak seasoning
1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
Black pepper to taste
2 bay leaves
Bell peppers and red onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions:
Stir together the beef stock (or red wine), balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, steak seasoning, dried thyme, dried oregano, black pepper, and add bay leaves. Put meat cubes into the smallest Ziploc bag (or plastic container with a snap-tight lid) that will fit all the meat, then pour in the marinade. Marinate meat at least 4-6 hours in the refrigerator (or longer is fine if you're gone all day.)

Put meat tightly on skewers, along with peppers and red onions and let it come to room temperature while the grill heats. Grill kabobs to desired doneness, turning as soon as you get some browned spots on the first side. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the meat and how hot your grill is, but approximate times would be about 8-10 minutes for rare, 10-12 minutes for medium rare, or 12-15 minutes for medium.


Marinated Veggie Kabobs

Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Bell Peppers, and Red Onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

Directions:
Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. The marinade can be prepared in advance and held covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.  Place vegetables in a shallow dish or container. Pour marinade over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Remove vegetables from the marinade, reserving marinade. Thread vegetables onto skewers, alternating colors. Cook skewers on grill until vegetables are lightly charred all over, about 10 minutes, basting with reserved marinade and turning occasionally.