Tips on Grilling Shish Kebobs
When making shish kebobs it doesn't matter whether you use the metal or the wooden skewers. If you have young children you may want to go with the wooden skewers because the metal ones may be too hot to touch. Another advantage of the wooden skewers is that they are much cheaper and can be thrown away when you are finished using them.
When you opt for the wooden skewers you will want to soak them in water for at least thirty minutes prior to putting them on the grill. A wooden skewer that is not saturated in water beforehand will burn up on the grill and can actually cause dangerous flare ups.
Now that the safety issues have been discussed, let us have some fun creating these delicious shish kebobs. The number of combinations you can make with your favorite foods are endless. Pick your favorites from lamb, beef, chicken, shrimp, fish or pork. Next you will want to pick your vegetable choices. Keep in mind that the vegetables that you use will have to be able to stand up to the heat of the grill without getting mushy and falling apart. Some of the most commonly used vegetables are tomatoes, bell peppers and onions.
Begin by cutting the meat and vegetables into one inch cubes. By all of the food being similar in size on the skewer it will make it easier to cook them. You don't have to cut the round vegetables like tomatoes into square shapes, just make sure the tomato is equal to the size of the other food. Choose items that have similar cooking times for the same skewer. For example, it won't take a shrimp or a scallop long to cook on a hot grill, but a chicken or beef square will take longer.
Boiling boneless skinless chicken breasts for about twenty minutes before cubing will reduce the cooking time for the chicken. Parboiling also helps to avoid cross contamination. If at all possible limit one type of meat to a skewer. When putting your shish kebobs together combine the chicken with a variety of complimentary vegetables.
It is best when using raw meat, to prepare the kebobs the night before and chill them with or without marinade. If you decide to use marinade be sure that you drain any excess away before grilling. Allow the skewers to come to room temperature before placing them on the grill, this aids in faster, more even cooking.
Who doesn't love the great taste of shish kebobs? Shish kebobs can be used as appetizers or even the main course. It doesn't matter if they are a snack or the main attraction shish kebobs are delicious. By using a combination of meats and vegetables you can enjoy these anytime while not getting bored with the same foods.
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