Mealtime Magic: Hot Ideas for Cooking Food on Skewers

Food on a stick. There are many varieties, and as the warm weather arrives and we head out into the great outdoors here are some ideas for keeping things healthy AND tasty. These recipes show how cooking with skewers can be not only delicious, but also ideal for your waistline.

 

Mary Riddle is a skewer believer. After losing 85 pounds with Slimming World, which has been popular in the U.K. for more than 45 years and is now available online across America, Mary says that kabobs are one of her go-to meals these days.

“I absolutely love them!” says Mary, an Indiana resident. “They’re so easy and versatile and ready in no time. They’re great for taking with me to cook-outs, and if for some reason I don’t have time to assemble them, I can always pick some up at my local butcher shop. Lean steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes are my favorite combination; brush them with some seasoning and they’re good to go! I don’t feel like I’m missing out at all.”

  

Still a bit intimidated by the skewer style of cooking? Below are tips from the pros at the Old Farmer’s Almanac:

-          Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using them so they won't burn during cooking.

-          If you prefer metal skewers, which have a long life, use square or twisted types, which will hold the food better than round ones.

-          To keep food from slipping off during cooking and turning, use two parallel skewers rather than a single skewer.

-          If you're using a wooden skewer, as you thread the food move the pieces close together, with no space showing. If the skewer is metal, you can leave small spaces between the pieces.

-          When using foods with different cooking times (such as shrimp and beef), don't combine them on the same skewer. Instead, make skewers of just shrimp or just beef, start cooking the beef first, and then combine them on a serving platter.

 

Recipes from Slimming World’s Fast and Filling Family Food cookbook:

 

Mini Cajun-style chicken kebobs with spicy potato wedges

Serves 4

Ready in 30 minutes

 

3 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tbsp Cajun spice powder

2 tbsp light soy sauce

Juice of 2 large limes

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large red bell pepper and 1 large green bell pepper, deseeded and cut into bite-sized pieces

Fat-free plain yogurt sprinkled with chopped parsley, to serve

 

For the wedges:

2 large baking potatoes, unpeeled

Low-calorie cooking spray

4 tsp paprika

4-5 tsp sea salt

2 tsp dried oregano

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

First make the spicy wedges by cutting the potatoes into long, thick wedges and placing them on a nonstick baking sheet. Lightly spray the wedges with low-calorie cooking spray. Mix together the paprika, sea salt and dried oregano and toss with the potatoes to cook evenly. Place in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and tender.

Meanwhile, place the chicken pieces in a mixing bowl. Mix together the Cajun spice powder, soy sauce and lime juice, and pour over the chicken. Season and toss to mix well.

Divide the chicken and bell pepper pieces between 12 presoaked mini-bamboo or metal skewers. Grill the chicken, turning once, until cooked through. Serve immediately with the spicy potato wedges and yogurt dip.

 

Moroccan-spiced fish kebob salad

Serves 4

Ready in 20 minutes, plus marinating

 

2/3 cup fat-free plain yogurt

1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

½ tsp ground coriander

2 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

½-in piece root ginger, peeled and finely chopped

1 lb monkfish fillets, skinned

2 small red onions, peeled and cut into wedges

8 cherry tomatoes

Fresh mint leaves, to garnish

Lime wedges, to serve

 

Place the yogurt, garlic, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, pepper and ginger in a bowl. Stir to mix well.

Wash the monkfish, pat dry with a paper towel and then cut into bite-sized chunks. Add to the yogurt mixture, turning to coat completely. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for two hours.

Remove the fish from the marinade and thread onto eight metal or presoaked bamboo skewers, alternating them with the onion wedges and tomatoes. Brush with the remaining marinade.

Grill, turning frequently, until the fish is cooked and the onions are tender. Garnish with mint leaves and serve with lime wedges and a salad of your choice.

 

Fruit skewers with a passion fruit dip

Serves 4

Ready in 15 minutes

 

1 large mango, peeled, stoned and cut into large chunks

1 ripe papaya, halved, seeded and cut into large chunks

¼ fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into large chunks

8 whole strawberries

Juice of ½ lemon

1 level tsp sugar

Chopped fresh mint leaves, to decorate

 

For the dip:

3 passion fruit

1/3 cup fat-free plain yogurt

1 level tbsp honey

 

Thread the fruit alternately onto eight metal skewers and place on a broiler pan. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and sugar. Grill until the fruit is slightly caramelized, turning once.

Meanwhile, make the dip. Halve the passion fruit and scoop the pulp and seeds into a bowl. Add the yogurt and honey and stir to mix well.

Scatter the mint over the skewers and serve with the passion fruit dip.

 

ABOUT SLIMMING WORLD

Slimming World, the UK’s leading weight loss organization*, launched in America in 2012. It was founded in 1969 and promises people looking to lose weight a healthy eating plan that offers satisfaction without hunger or deprivation based on the science of satiety and energy density; support that offers compassion, empathy and understanding, and an activity program to suit individual needs and preferences. Members following the program lose weight by eating foods like pasta, potatoes, lean meat, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables without having to count, weight or measure. Some foods like candy or alcohol are enjoyed in measured amounts. Slimming World has a deep awareness of the emotional, physical and psychological challenges faced by overweight people, and this understanding underscores the company’s philosophy and methods. In more than four decades, Slimming World has helped millions of people to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives.

 

*Disclaimers:

·         Slimming World helps more people to lose weight in its motivating support groups each week than any other internationally renowned weight loss organization.

·         Slimming World holds more weekly support groups and has more highly trained Consultants leading its groups than any other weight loss organization in the UK.

·         Slimming World magazine is the market leader by circulation in the UK.

·         This statement is not based on online membership in the UK, turnover, profit or revenues; it refers to the number of people who choose to lose weight at a Slimming World group each week compared to any other internationally renowned weight loss organization.