Spiced Beef And Chicken Kabobs With Cucumber Yogurt Recipes

SPICED BEEF KABOBS WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Grate the cucumber over a strainer and squeeze out the water. Transfer the grated cucumber to a medium bowl along with the mint, yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Mix to combine, using a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• For the kebobs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, cumin, garam masala and cayenne. Add the cubed sirloin and mix to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
• Beginning with the meat, thread one cube of sirloin onto a skewer, followed by a tomato, another piece of meat, a piece of onion, another piece of meat and finishing with a tomato and an onion. Continue like this until all the skewers are assembled. Sprinkle the kebobs on all sides with salt, then place on the preheated grill and cook for three minutes per side for medium doneness. Serve warm with the cucumber-yogurt sauce.

YOGURT-MARINATED CHICKEN KEBABS WITH ALEPPO PEPPER

Steps:

• If using Aleppo pepper, place in large bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon warm water. Let stand until thick paste forms, about 5 minutes. If using dried crushed red pepper and paprika combination, place in large bowl and stir in 2 tablespoons warm water and let stand until paste forms, about 5 minutes. Add yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to spice mixture in bowl; whisk to blend. Stir in garlic and lemon slices, then chicken. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Thread chicken pieces on metal skewers, dividing equally. Discard marinade in bowl. Sprinkle each skewer with salt, pepper, and additional Aleppo pepper or paprika. Brush grill rack with oil. Grill chicken until golden brown and cooked through, turning skewers occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes total. Transfer skewers to platter. Surround with lemon wedges and serve.
• *A slightly sweet Syrian pepper with a moderate heat level; available at some specialty foods stores and from wholespice.com.
• **A thick yogurt; sold at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores (such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods markets) and Greek markets. If unavailable, place regular yogurt in cheesecloth-lined strainer set over large bowl. Cover and chill overnight to drain.
• Ingredient tip:
• Aleppo pepper is sold finely ground or crushed into small flakes; either one will work well in this recipe.

SPICY HARISSA CHICKEN KEBABS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Whisk together the harissa, honey and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken and mix until coated.
• Skewer the chicken evenly among 8 wooden skewers and set aside.
• Mix together the squash, zucchini, onion, mushrooms, olive oil, cumin and salt and pepper until completely combined.
• Place a 1 1/2 to 2 feet long sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil on a table and place 1/4 of the vegetables in the center of the foil. Place 2 chicken skewers on top of the vegetables. Fold up the ends and then the outside of the foil to create a foil packet.
• Repeat the process 3 more times and place the foil packets on a cookie sheet.
• Bake in the oven at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes and then open the foil packets and cook for a further 15 minutes or until the chicken is lightly browned and cooked throughout.
• Optional Serving: Serve the individual foil packets alongside warm pita.

SPICY LAMB KABOBS

Steps:

• Peel cucumber and remove seeds. Place cucumber in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. Remove half of cucumber; set aside. Process remaining cucumber until pureed. Combine pureed cucumber and reserved cucumber; stir in the sour cream, lemon juice and seasonings. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour., In a small bowl, combine the first 7 kabob ingredients. Pour 1-1/2 cups marinade into a shallow dish; add the lamb and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade for basting., Drain and discard marinade. On 8 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread lamb, pineapple and tomatoes., In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, onions, tomato, sprouts, grapes and walnuts; sprinkle with cheese. Set aside., Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until lamb reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), basting frequently with reserved marinade., Beat butter and honey until blended; brush over pitas. Serve with kabobs, salad and sauce.