Cumin Chile Pork Kebabs Recipes

SPICY CUMIN KEBABS

Steps:

• You will need a charcoal or gas grill, 12 to 15 small bamboo or metal skewers, and a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
• Preheat grill. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes. Remove excess fat from the meat. Cut lamb into small chunks, 1/2-inch across or less. Thread them onto skewers, without packing them too tightly together.
• Grind or pound together the cumin, cayenne, and black pepper to a blended powder. Using your hands, rub spice mixture onto the skewered meat. Grill lamb for 5 to 8 minutes over hot coals. Halfway through the cooking, sprinkle the kebabs with a little salt.

CUMIN CHICKEN KEBABS (OR LAMB KEBAB)

Steps:

• Add the chicken to a non-metallic dish- set aside.
• Mix together all remaining ingredients, except for the onions. Pour the marinate over the chicken, toss well to coat. Marinate for 2 hours in the fridge.
• Thread the chicken onto skewers, alternating with the red onions.
• Grill or BBQ for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 20 minutes prior to using. This should stop them from buring during the cooking stage.

GRILLED PORK KEBABS WITH MANCHAMANTEL SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the kebabs:
• Let the skewers soak in water to cover for 1 hour. Toast the chili on a baking sheet in the middle of a preheated 250°F. oven for 5 minutes and transfer to a heatproof bowl. Pour enough boiling water over the chili to cover, let the mixture stand for 30 minutes, and drain the chili. In a blender blend together the chili, the 1 cup water, the garlic, the onion, the cumin, the thyme, the orégano, the salt, the peppercorns, the oil, and the lemon juice until the marinade is smooth.
• In a large heavy-duty resealable plastic bag combine the pork and the marinade and let the pork marinate, chilled, for at least 6 hours overnight.
• Drain the pork, pat it dry lightly, and thread each skewer loosely with 3 pieces of the pork, 3 chunks of the pineapple, and 3 chunks of the red onion. Grill or broil the kebabs on an oiled rack set about 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 8 to 10 minutes on each side, or until the pork is cooked through but still slightly pink. Serve the kebabs with the manchamantel sauce.
• To make the sauce:
• Toast the chilies on a baking sheet in the middle of a preheated 250°F. oven for 5 minutes and transfer them to a heatproof bowl. Pour enough boiling water over the chilies to cover, let the mixture stand for 30 minutes, and drain the chilies. In a heavy skillet cook the garlic, the onion, and salt and pepper to taste in 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is soft and pale golden, add 1 tablespoon of the sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the vinegar, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer the onion mixture to a blender, add the chilies, the broth, the 1/2 cup water, the pineapple, the banana, the cinnamon, the cloves, the additional sugar and vinegar if desired, and salt and pepper to taste, and blend the sauce until it is very smooth. In the skillet heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking, add the sauce, and simmer it, stirring, for 5 minutes. Makes about 3 cups.

PORK KEBABS AL PASTOR

Steps:

• Heat a dry small heavy skillet over medium heat until hot, then toast chiles, turning and pressing with tongs, until more pliable and slightly changed in color, about 30 seconds. Stem chiles.
• Purée 1 chile (reserve remainder for salsa) in a blender with pineapple, vinegar, oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, and 1 3/4 tsp salt, then transfer to a bowl.
• Preheat broiler.
• Oil a small baking pan, then add tomatoes and onion. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat, turning occasionally, until tomatoes are wilted, skins are blistered, and onions begin to soften and are charred in spots, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer to blender. Add remaining 2 toasted chiles, water, and 1 tsp salt and purée until smooth. Add cilantro and 1/2 cup pineapple basting sauce and pulse until cilantro is finely chopped.
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas).
• Toss pork with half of remaining pineapple basting sauce, then thread pork, onion, and pineapple onto skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces. Put on a tray. Wrap tortillas in 2 separate foil packages.
• Oil grill rack, then grill skewers, covered only if using a gas grill, turning and basting frequently with remaining sauce (do not baste during last 3 minutes), until pork is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and keep warm, covered.
• Heat tortillas (in foil) on grill, turning once, until warmed through, about 3 minutes total.
• Remove pork, pineapple, and onion from skewers. Serve wrapped in tortillas with salsa and other accompaniments.

SPICY GRILLED PORK WITH FENNEL, CUMIN AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Season pork lightly with kosher salt and put it in a bowl or resealable bag.
• Juice the lime into a blender or food processor and add cilantro, fish sauce, garlic, jalapeño and honey. Blend until the jalapeño and garlic are puréed, then add fennel, cumin, coriander seeds and pulse four or five times to bruise the spices and mix them in.
• Pour mixture over the pork, tossing to coat the pieces. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you heat the grill, or up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, heat the grill or broiler with a rack positioned 4 inches from the heat source.
• Thread the pork onto skewers, leaving a little space between cubes. Grill over the highest heat possible, or broil on high, for 2 to 5 minutes, then flip the skewers and continue cooking until the meat is browned all over and charred in spots. It should be just cooked through: A little pink is OK, but there shouldn't be any red spots.
• Serve the pork with cilantro sprigs and onion slices on top, and lime wedges on the side for squeezing.