Fun Skewers
Written and photographed by: Esti Lichtenstein, Intern
Are you in need of creative ideas to make your food more exciting? Skewers are the way to go! Skewers enhance presentation and can easily make a boring dish fun to eat! There are so many different ways to build your skewer. You can add various protein sources, such as chicken, salmon, steak or tofu along with vegetables to make a delicious, nourishing and colorful skewer. Get the kids involved in the kitchen by having them help you build the skewers and most importantly, have fun eating the skewers together with your little ones!
Grilled Salmon Kabobs
Recipe from: https://www.skinnytaste.com/these-lovely-grilled-salmon-and-lemon/
Ingredients:
Salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 lemons, very thinly sliced into rounds
olive oil cooking spray
1 tsp kosher salt
Skewers
Directions:
Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent the skewer from burning.
Heat the grill pan on medium heat and spray with oil.
Mix oregano, sesame seeds, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl to combine; set spice mixture aside.
Beginning and ending with salmon, thread salmon and folded lemon slices onto the skewers
Spray the fish lightly with oil and season kosher salt and the reserved spice mixture.
Grill the fish, turning occasionally, until fish is opaque throughout, about 8 to 10 minutes total.
Pesto
Ingredients:
3 frozen garlic cubes
3 frozen basil cubes
3 frozen parsley cubes
Handful of greens of choice
2 tbsp pine nuts
¼ cup olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a food processor besides for the olive oil. Begin to blend and slowly add in the olive oil. Blend until smooth
Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup raw quinoa
Red peppers
Yellow pepper
Spanish onion
¼ cup pepita seeds (pumpkin seeds)
1/8 up balsamic vinegar
Oil spray
Salt
Pepper
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/8 cup stevia (or sugar of choice)
1.5 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp mustard
1 garlic cube
Salt
Pepper
To prepare:
Quinoa-
Cook quinoa according to package instructions
Grilled veggies-
Cut peppers and onions into cubes. Spread it out on a cookie sheet, spray pam, drizzle balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven at 350 for approximately 20 minutes
To assemble the salad-
Place the quinoa in a bowl and add the grilled veggies. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Garnish with pepita seeds.
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Recipe from: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/251914/maple-glazed-chicken-breasts/#:~:text=%20Ingredients%20%201%202%20tablespoons%20pure%20maple,trimmed%20and%20tenders%20removed%20%28see%20Tip%29%20More%20
Ingredients:
1 package of chicken cutlets
Zucchini
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
1/3 cup oil
4 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce
4 tsp lemon juice
2 garlic cubes
Salt
Pepper
To assemble:Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent the skewer from burning.
Cut the chicken into 1 1/2 inch strips
Cut mushrooms and zucchini for the skewer
Add all ingredients to a Ziploc bag , mix it around, and place in fridge for 1-24 hrs.
Place chicken and vegetables onto skewers
Spray a grill pan with pam and place the skewers on medium heat. Allow to grill for 5-7 minutes on each side
Vegetable Skewers
Ingredients:
Tomatoes
Yellow pepper
Green pepper
Zucchini
Shallots
Directions:
Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent the skewer from burning.
Place each vegetable on a skewer.
Tomatoes – spray with pam, season with salt and pepper
Yellow and green pepper - spray with pam, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, season with salt and pepper
Zucchini- spray with pam, season with thyme, salt, and pepper
Shallots- spray with pam, season with salt and pepper
Bake the skewers in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or grill on a grill pan for 5-7 minutes medium heat on each side.
