By Nicole Spain, Registered Dietitian
Take the cooking outside and use your grill in a multitude of ways during National Grilling Month. According to my kids, everything tastes better on a stick! Try one or all of these tasty grilled kebab entrees at your next backyard BBQ! (Note: if using wood skewers, be sure to soak them in water first.)
Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp, shelled and de-veined
2 limes, juice and zest (or ¼ cup juice)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
1 clove garlic, grated
*Recipe adapted from https://www.closetcooking.com/cilantro-lime-grilled-shrimp/
BBQ Pork and Apple Kebabs
Serves 4
Ingredients:
½ C apricot jam
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium red onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 granny smith apple, cut into 8 wedges
1 ½ lbs pork tenderloin, halved and cut into 16 cubes
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces.
¼ C teriyaki sauce
Recipe adapted from: https://reciperunner.com/teriyaki-chicken-skewers-sesame-zucchini-noodles/
Steak and Potato Kebabs
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 lb ribeye steak
8 baby portabella mushrooms
8 baby Yukon gold potatoes
¼ C soy sauce
¼ C ketchup
¼ C olive oil
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar
½ Tsp garlic powder
Recipe adapted from: https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/steak-potato-kebabs-recipe/
Veggies on the Grill:
Grilling vegetables is easy and a great way to alter the taste and you may just find you along with your kids may be more open to eating your veggies this way. I love grilling asparagus, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, onions, green beans, sweet potatoes and mushrooms.
Really, any vegetable can be grilled. Using a vegetable basket or grilling plate can make it easier. If you don’t have one don’t worry – you will just want to cut your vegetables longer so you don’t lose them through your grill grates. For example, if grilling carrots, cut them lengthwise rather than in circles. To prepare your veggies, cut appropriately then simply toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any additional seasoning you want. Sometimes, I add lemon juice as well. Then, grill until done to your liking over medium heat.
Don’t forget about DESSERT!
Recipes from: https://www.fix.com/blog/desserts-on-the-grill/