"Shish" (or sis) simply refers to any grilled meat. Kabob (kebap) is a skewer. Shish Kabab is not only popular in Turkey but it is also extremely popular throughout Europe, particularly in Germany and the UK where Kabobs are a readily available "fast-food." Variations of "kabobs" can be found throughout the Middle-East, Europe and South Asia. In Turkey, traditionally lamb has been the meat of choice for kabobs but nowadays chicken, beef and fish have become very popular. Due to the large number of Muslims in Turkey, pork is not used. Shish kebabs are typically made of both meat and vegetables. Perhaps the most favored vegetable is eggplant, but onions, tomatoes and bell peppers. Actually a wide variety of vegetables are suitable for grilling, including tomatoes, zucchini and even marinaded artichoke hearts. If tomatoes are used, it is best to use 1 1/2 - 2 inch tomatoes as cherry tomatoes will cook much faster than the other vegetables and meet. Unless you enjoy rather crunchy bell peppers, it is a good idea to parboil the cut up pieces for 2 minutes before skewering them (after they have cooled a bit). If you use bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water 30 minutes before using them otherwise they will burn and even catch fire! Actually I my experience metal skewers are preferable as they usually have flattened points that generally prevent vegetables like zucchinis and mushrooms from splitting when you skewer them. Bamboo skewers are perhaps more appropriate for Asian treats like Japanese yaki-tori or Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai sate.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of Lamb, Beef, Chicken or Firm Fish
• 1 lb of each vegetable (more or less according to your desires).

Preparation:

1. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and then marinade it for 4-24 hours (the longer the better) in your refrigerator.

Marinade Ingredients:

Please note that this is a rather "all-purpose" marinade with somewhat authentic ingredients. There are an enormous number of possible variations, additions and subtractions. As the old Cole Porter song says EXPERIMENT! You can even buy pre-marinaded meats which make everything easier and quicker! Google "Shish Kebab Marinade" if you want to try what others have tried.

• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 medium tomato, diced finely (3/4 cup)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 tablespoon pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation:

1. Before cooking, brush your charcoal or gas grill with a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
2. Cut vegetables into large bite sized pieces.
3. Skewer the marinaded meat and vegetables in any order you desire, but it helps to figure out a pattern (zucchini, meat, tomato, mushroom, meat, eggplant, bell pepper, meat etc.)
4. Barbecue over a medium level heat until the meat is lightly browned on all sides.

*If you wish to brush marinade on during cooking, make sure that you cook your skewered meat and vegetables for an extra two minutes on each side after the last brush of marinade.

Serve with Basmati rice, Lavash or Pita Bread. A mint/yogurt dressing is also a nice addition.

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Last Updated: 04 February 2021

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Ingredients:

• 1 (4 to 4 ½ pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces, skin removed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped ginger
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped Serrano or Jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• ½ cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Note: This recipe requires that the chicken be marinated for 4 or more hours.

Preparation:

1. Cut diagonal slices 1-inch apart, and 1/2-inch deep into the larger chicken pieces. Poke holes in smaller pieces with a fork.
2. Place the chicken in a baking dish.
3. In a blender, combine the oil, onion, garlic, ginger, pepper and process on high speed until mixture becomes a paste.
4. Add paprika, salt, cumin, turmeric, coriander, garam masala, and cayenne to blender and process until well mixed.
5. Add the yogurt and lemon juice to blender and mix thoroughly.
6. Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces. Turn to coat evenly, rubbing the marinade into the holes and slits.
7. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, refrigerate for at least 4 to 24 hours.
8. Preheat a grill. (even cooking in oven, set note below)
9. Grill chicken for 10 minutes and then turn chicken over and grill for an additional 10 minutes.
10. Turn and continue cooking as until the chicken is fully cooked.

Note: You can also bake or broil the chicken in an oven. To bake, preheat oven to 425 degrees F and cook chicken pieces on a baking sheet for 35 minutes, turning once.

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Last Updated: 04 February 2021

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Ingredients:

• 8 cups beef broth
• 1 large onion, peeled, quartered
• 1 1/2 lbs of beef(cheap cuts are good, but trim fat)
• 1 stalk celery, minced
• 4 large beets, peeled, chopped (can be sliced or shredded) Fresh beets are best!
• 4 carrots, peeled, sliced
• 1 large russet potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 cups thinly sliced cabbage
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• some parsley for a garnish

Preparation:

1. Bring 4 cups of the beef broth, the beef, and onion to boil in large pot.
2. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
3. 2 Spoon fat from top of chilled broth and discard.
4. Add remaining 4 cups broth, beets, celery, carrots, and potato; bring to boil.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
6. Stir in meat, cabbage and 1/2 cup dill; cook until cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add vinegar and stir.
8. Ladle soup into bowls.
9. Top with remaining dill, sour cream and a sprig of parsley for a garnish. Eat with a hearty bread.

Note: For a much quicker to prepare meal, the beef can be omitted in this recipe. If so, start with step 2 and use all of the broth and onions.

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Last Updated: 04 February 2021

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Savory Thai Fish Cakes These tasty fish cakes can be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fish cake (a paste, preferably fresh, but frozen is okay - just be sure to thaw)
• 1 tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh green beans (uncooked)
• 1/3 cup Kaffir lime leaves chopped fine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup oil (peanut)

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients except oil.
2. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok.
3. Drop teaspoonful sized dollops of the mixture into hot oil and pat down the spoonful with the bottom of the spoon to make a flat patty.
4. When bottom becomes golden brown flip the patty.
5. When fish cake is golden brown on both sides remove and place on plate lined with paper towels.

Cucumber Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vinegar (rice or white)/li>
• 5 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 Persian cucumbers, peeled, quartered lengthwise and sliced. If using American cucumbers, remove seeds after quartering./li>
• 3 shallots (fewer if large)
• 1 Thai chili pepper sliced in thin rounds (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring water and vinegar to a boil.
2. Dissolve sugar and salt in mixture.
3. Let mixture cool.
4. Add chopped cucumbers, shallots, and Thai chili.
5. Chill in refrigerator.

The chilled cucumber sauce may be spooned over warm fish cakes before eating.
Notes: All the ingredients for this recipe can be obtained from the 99 Ranch Market.

Recipe submitted by Kristina Lersbuausin
Photo by Shari K. Johnston-O'Neill

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Last Updated: 28 June 2022

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