Shish-ka-bobs

In an effort to beat the heat in the kitchen and take it out to the barby, we first tried this as a "fun" dinner to make involving the whole family. We did it again because we like it so much we want to make it every day.

Shish-ka-bobs.

First of all the shopping list:

A good steak or beef roast ~Beef... It's what's for dinner.
Sweet Yellow Onion ~sweet is best in my opinion
Yellow Bell Pepper ~it's good to add color
Green Bell Pepper ~great flavor addition
Red Bell Pepper ~more color and good flavor
Small Red or Yellow Potatoes ~trust me... it will work
Chunk Pineapple ~Your palate will thank you~twice.
Mushrooms ~just wait until you taste them with this marinade!
Zucchini ~Did anyone else even use it? I did, and I liked it.
Anything you love that will stay on a stick...
Crusty French Bread
Cantelope
Bamboo Skewers

Next, the marinade.

I got this marinade from my favorite cookbook, well, my favorite published cookbook. We have a family cookbook that I use almost daily- it's my favorite, but The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook is so great, you need to get it today.

It is filled with information on how to buy, how to cook, how to trim, what to buy, and how to everything... But I digress...

The Marinade.1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon dark Brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Ketchup
1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients. Add beef which has been cut into 1 inch pieces. Marinate in refrigerator for an hour.

While meat is marinating, cut vegies into skewerable size hunks and place in individual bowls. (One bowl for each different vegetable.)

The potatoes need some special treatment because they require more cooking time than the other items. Cut the potatoes into the size you want for the skewers. Place in boiling water and boil to about 1/2 way done. Use your own judgment. Last time I boiled them a little too long and they still worked fine, just a little soft when putting on the skewer.

Remove meat from refrigerator saving excess marinade to brush on shish-ka-babs before grilling. (We usually double the marinade so there is plenty to brush on the skewers before placing them on the grill)

Call the family in from outside, gather them together around the counter and let everyone use their own creativity to build shish-ka-bobs a la (insert your family name here).

Once all the food is placed on a skewer brush them with the left over marinade and place on preheated BBQ. Cook until done. This part is Cycle Guy's job, I have no idea how to tell when it's done.This marinade is great, it is a little like a brine for tenderizing the meat and the flavor is divine! Serve with Crusty French Bread and Sliced Cantelope.

Try it today.

You'll thank me tomorrow.

Love, Jenny