Monday, August 19, 2013

World Grilling: Moorish Pork Kabobs


I just took another cooking class and boy was it fun!

The class held at Williams-Sonoma was a hands on class on World Grilling.  We made three different kabobs from various countries.  First off was a Greek kabob, then we made a North African kabob, and then the hit of the night (for me at least!) were the Moorish Pork Kabobs (Pinchos Morunos).

Now the Moors were Muslims and did not eat pork, so Christian Spain took the Arab seasonings traditionally used on lamb kabobs and applied them to their beloved meat, pork.  You could use the marinade on chicken just as easily and the results would be outstanding.


I just loved the savory flavors of the cumin, turmeric, oregano, and the kick of cayenne.  This is an excellent marinade!  It may be a little hot for the little ones, so leave out the cayenne pepper if feeding the kids.  

This is a definite winner, loved by all that tasted it!  So next time you grill try some flavors from around the globe.

Moorish Pork Kabobs

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbs. ground cumin
  • 2 Tbs. ground coriander
  • 1 Tbs. sweet paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 lb. pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 Tbs. minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon wedges for garnish 

Directions:

In a small fry pan, combine the olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric, oregano, the 1 tsp. salt and the black pepper. Place over low heat until warmed through and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.

Place the pork pieces in a bowl and rub with the spice mixture. Add the garlic, parsley and lemon juice and toss well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat, or prepare a hot fire in a grill.

Thread the meat onto skewers and season with salt. Place on the grill pan or a grill rack and grill, turning once, until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and serve with lemon wedges.
 
Serves 8.
 
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Savoring Series, Savoring Spain & Portugal, by Joyce Goldstein (Time-Life Books, 2000).

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Nectarine-Blueberry Parfaits

 

It's summer time and the feeling is easy...
Sitting outside on these mild summer nights we've been having is just Heaven! Taking time out to relax with family after a meal helps to wind down the day and slow down the pace. 

We just love long summer evenings. To top of a scrumptious dinner I like to serve a light dessert with some kind of fresh summer fruit. Perfect for summer, and lighter and healthier than our standard ice cream cone! MGG is a fanatic for having a little something sweet, which is usually ice cream. Can't blame him, I'm right there with him too! 

These parfaits are the perfect solution to a light dessert. The creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, and flavors of nectarine and blueberries go so well together. It's a definite winner in my book! These would be wonderful for breakfast, or served at brunch. Kids love them too. You can also vary the fruit used. Peaches would be excellent and are so juicy right now.

What combinations would you choose?

Enjoy!

Nectarine-Blueberry Parfaits

serves: 2

2 6 oz cartons lite vanilla yogurt
1 cup granola
1 ripe nectarine, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

Place 1/2 carton of yogurt into each of two dessert glasses or bowls; top with half of the granola Top with half of the nectarines, half of the blueberries. Repeat layers with the remaining yogurt, granola, nectarines, and blueberries.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

The Best Stuffed Grilled Cheeseburgers


Don't you just love firing up the grill and throwing on a couple of burgers for dinner?

We do!  There's not quite so traditional as having grilled burgers.  All American I would say and we usually have them for Memorial Day, or possibly 4th of July, or the upcoming Labor Day.  Sometimes we have them for all three holidays! 

Burgers are easy to prepare, quick to make, and they lend themselves to so many variations.  There are so many ways to top a burger that it's fun to just set out all the different toppings and let your family create their own masterpiece.  And let's not forget that they are great for summer parties!

Today's burger is what I call the BEST stuffed burger.  This is more of a technique rather than a recipe.  It's how you stuff this burger that makes it easy to create, and then it oozes out cheese after it's cooked.

You start off with a quality beef.  I always use ground sirloin for the flavor.  I know that everyone suggest using 20% fat ground chuck for a juicy burger, but I just can't do it...sorry.  Way too much fat for my liking and my burgers with 10% fat sirloin is plenty juicy.  Trust me...or not!  Your choice on the meat. 

Next you choose a cheese.  I chose a wonderful sharp cheddar cheese for an All American Cheeseburger.  Sliced them into 1-1 1/2" cubes.  Then it's time to make the stuffed patties.  YES! the cheese is on the inside of the burger.  Why?  because it oozes out when you bite it.  Excellent!  So here is where the technique comes in to play.  Typically you make two thin patties and put the cheese on one and top with the other patty.  Not anymore!  Make one medium large patty that is about 1" thick.  Make a well in the middle of the patty and place the cheese cube inside.  Then you just pinch the tops of the meat together to cover the cheese.  Sort of like making a bundle, but you want to smooth out the top and make sure all the cheese is covered up.  That's it!  And it's perfect, and easy to do.



Pick your favorite toppings, and add a nice kaiser roll for the bun.  The rest is history!  Promise you'll try this technique the next time you make burgers...ok?



The Best Stuffed Grilled Cheeseburgers

serves 4

1 1/2 lbs ground sirloin
1 T plus 1 t Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 ounces cheddar cheese cut into 4 cubes 
4 kaiser rolls or buns, split and toasted

Heat grill to medium-high. In a large bowl, gently fold together beef, Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper. Divide meat into 4 equal portions.

Shape cheese into 4 equal 1" thick patties Press a small well in the center of each beef mound. Place cheese in well; wrap beef around cheese, pinching to seal.

Oil heated grates. Place burgers on grill; cover. Cook until grill marks are visible on first side, about 5 - 6 minutes. Turn burgers and an additional 5 - 6 minutes until cooked through.  Toast split buns. 

To assemble place cooked burgers on each toasted bun.  Top with your favorite toppings.

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