Category: Dinner

Cumin Beef Kabobs

Cumin Beef Kabobs

Cumin Beef Kabobs

It’s time to grill!!!!

Once Memorial day has passed, it is summer time………..pools open, flowers and gardens are blooming, and you can wear white pants.

Although we do not eat a lot of beef, occasionally Tim and I like a nice steak, or in this case some Cumin Beef Kabobs.

Ease of preparation in the summer is key to enjoying said summer…………Marinading makes any cut of beef extra tasty, and there is something about marinading in soy that makes beef taste extra delicious. Add Tim’s favorite spice……next to red pepper flakes…….cumin, and the marinade is easy and makes the beef tender and juicy, even if you use an less expensive cut of meat.

When making kabobs I have one piece of advice, make sure everything on the kabob has approxamately the same cooking time. If you try veggies that have a short cooking time, they will either burn or in they will fall completely off the skewer by the time your meat is done. Although they do make kabob baskets that holds everything inside,I have not been able to find them this year 🙁 ……….But they are a nifty device, if you can find them. I must admit I really haven’t looked that hard. Besides I found this really cute kabob set at the local Goodwill store that I had been dying to try…………..I love the way it looks.

Cumin Beef Kabobs 1

For these kabobs I wanted to use tomatoes, but as I said above they would have just fallen off the skewer by the time the meat and onions were ready. So I just sautéd them on the side with a bit of sea salt and finished them with a snip of chives. Which by the way, my chives are beautiful this year……….more on the garden as it grows.

So, when you are looking for a easy but delicious kabob recipe, try these Cumin Beef Kabobs with a side of sautéd cherry tomatoes and enjoy some summer grilling!

Cumin Beef Kabobs Collage

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Cumin Beef Kabobs

Cumin Beef Kabobs

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  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grlll
  • Cuisine: American
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound beef,cut into 1-inch pieces ( I used an Angus Western Style Rib – which is boneless, but use what ever is your taste in beef)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • Juice of one fresh lemon
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 small onions, cut into 8 wedges
  • Kabobs skewers

Instructions

  1. Combine soy sauce, lemon juice, and cumin in a small bowl. Place meat and marinade in a ziploc bag and marinade overnight.
  2. Prepare barbecue (high heat) or preheat grill pan. Thread beef onto skewers, alternating meat and onions. Grill until beef is tender, turning occasionally, about 6 minutes for medium rare.
  3. Serve with sautéd cherry tomatoes.

Notes

Prep and cook time do not include marinading overnight.

Keywords: beef, onion, tomatoes, cumin, soy sauce, grill, easy

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Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

I can say with all confidence that Spring is here, and Summer is on the way. Having said that, salads come to mind………..Italian Sausage Caprese Salad!

“Caprese” refers to something that comes from or is in the style of Capri, an Italian island off the coast near Naples………so it really means Italian.

It really is a delicious salad, fresh baby greens, with mozzarella cheese……….I love that they have the little tiny mozzarella balls called ‘Bocconcini’, they are so easy to use, just drain they, pat them dry and they are ready for the salad. I love fresh mozzarella, but to be truthful, it’s kind of a pain to slice……..and I have a cheese knife! But, lucky we live in the kind of world where everything has an easier way.

Tomatoes and basil, along with a Balsamic Dressing make for a lovely salad. Enter the Italian Sausage……….Italian Chicken Sausage to be exact. Johnsonville makes some great chicken sausages. They are precooked so you just have to grill and warm them up. They were perfect for a salad that usually does not have meat. Adding the meat makes it a hearty meal.

Grilled Sausage Caprese Salad

Now, lets talk about how easy this is to prepare. Pre-washed greens, mozzarella balls (I already talked of their ease), grape tomatoes, a quick cut in half, basil, just a little chop or tear, and a quick grill of the sausage. A balsamic dressing that comes together in a snap, especially using a mini food processor, all the ingredients, a quick whirl, and you are ready.

This would make a great weeknight salad, since it comes together so quickly, or a nice light meal after a day of……….gardening, or what ever your weekend pleasures are.

So, enjoy the Italian Sausage Caprese Salad………..Buon Appetito!

Grilled Sausage Caprese Salad Collage

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Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

Italian Sausage Caprese Salad

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: American
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Ingredients

Scale
  • Ingredients
  • 3 cups washed baby greens, any kind
  • 1/2 pound Baby mozzarella balls (Bocconcini), drained
  • 1/2 pound grape tomatoes, halved
  • 6 large basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 grilled Italian Chicken Sausage
  • Cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Dressing
  • 2 clove garlic, grated
  • 1tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 7 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Grill Italian Sausage until warmed through and you have nice grill marks.
  2. Allow to cool slightly and slice on the diagonal. Set aside.
  3. Measure all ingredients for dressing into small jar with tight fitting lid. Shake and drizzle over salad. Serve immediately.
  4. Divide the greens,mozzarella balls, tomatoes between two plates. (you can also place everything on a nice platter). Place the grilled, sliced sausage on top and sprinkle with basil. Serve with dressing and cracked black pepper.

Notes

You can easily double this recipe.

Keywords: mixed greens, fresh mozzarella, Italian sausage, tomatoes, basil, salad

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Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap

Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap

Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap

We had company this past Sunday. Our niece Linzy brought her beautiful daughter Lily to meet us. She is a sweet and precious little girl. We had a great time with her and look forward to seeing her again.They will be here all summer and her brother Jayden will be joining them soon…….the lucky ducks live in Hawaii, but are here for the summer.

Tim-Marty-Lily

 

We invited them for lunch, so it was an opportune time to try out a new recipe. I have been wanting to make a Middle Eastern dish for some time. Since it was lunch, I thought a sandwich or a wrap would be nice. I decided on a wrap. I used Naan bread, if you haven’t tried it you really should, it’s like pita bread, but It has a softer texture and it’s a bit bigger than a pita. Being softer allows you to fold it much easier, and of course you can add a bit more filling.

Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap 1

Chicken is always a safe bet, because after all who doesn’t like chicken? Marinating the chicken in a spicy yogurt mixture made it flavorful and juicy. The couscous was an added flavor layer using olives, pistachios, sun dried tomatoes, a bit of spinach, some cilantro and pomegranate. I did cheat with the couscous, it comes frozen at my local grocery store, so all I had to do was heat it up in the microwave and add it to the other ingredients. Also it is the pearl couscous which I happen to like better………it’s something about the texture.

Tahini………I have never used or tasted it before, but in all my research about Middle Eastern cuisine it gets mentioned…….a lot. I added lemon juice, garlic,olive oil, and a bit of yogurt, I thought it would add a creamy texture…….not so much, but it still had a really good flavor.

The best thing was, that I was able to prepare it all ahead of time, and just reheat everything and warm the Naan bread, and lunch was served. I let everyone assemble their own, having extra, cilantro, pistachios, and pomegranate to top, and goat cheese if you wished. Truth is I forgot the goat cheese,being so excited about baby Lily. Next time I will remember as I think it would add one more great tasting element.

We all enjoyed the Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap and I was glad my test subjects enjoyed the visit and the meal!

I will plan another get together soon and see what other ethnic meal I can try……….hmmmmm.

Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap Collage

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Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap

Middle Eastern Chicken Couscous Wrap

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 Wraps 1x
  • Category: Sandwich
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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Ingredients

Scale
  • Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken, sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Couscous
  • 1 bag frozen pearl couscous, cooked
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/3 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced, reserve 1-2 tablespoons of the oil
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/3 cup roasted shelled pistachios, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate arils
  • Tahini Spread
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoon greek yogurt
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4–8 pieces of Naan bread for serving
  • Goat cheese, chopped cilantro, chopped pistachios and pomegranate arils for garnish

Instructions

  1. To marinate the chicken. In a medium bowl combine the olive oil, greek, yogurt, ginger, garlic, pepper, cumin, crushed red pepper, cayenne and cinnamon. Add the chicken and toss well. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  2. To make the couscous. Cook according to package directions. Stir in the spinach, honey, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and sundries tomato oil, pistachios, cilantro salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm. Just before serving stir in the pomegranate arils.
  3. To make the Tahini Sauce. In a small bowl whisk together the tahini, olive oil, garlic, greek yogurt, lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.
  4. Heat a large skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. When hot remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off just a little of the excess. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes or until cooked through.
  5. To assemble the wraps, warm the Naan bread,spread a little of the tahini sauce down the center of the warmed naan. Add the couscous and chicken and then top with crumbled goat cheese. Garnish with chopped cilantro, more pistachios and pomegranate arils.

Notes

Everything can be prepared ahead of time and warmed just prior to serving.

Keywords: chicken, yogurt, spices, naan bread, couscous, pomegranate, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach

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