Summer Fresh Recipe Series: Gaucho Beef Kabobs with Corn and Orzo Salad

This is a one dish summer feast!  A gaucho style feast that starts with succulent beef, spiced with just the right Latin flavors, surrounded by an orzo, summer corn, and fresh summer tomato salad!

Gaucho Beef Kabobs with Corn and Orzo Salad

I'm seeing fall food and home items all over Pinterest.  I don't know where these people live but in Southern California it's 94 today which is HOT, which means SUMMER IS STILL HERE!  I don't want to be thinking about pumpkins and stews. Heck no.  Bring on the fresh summer food til there ain't no more!

This Gaucho Beef Kabob is fabulous! Gaucho is a Latin American Cowboy and this food steak would be right up his alley. (or trail!)  Cuts of tender sirloin skewered for ease of cooking are seasoned with spicy Latin flavors.  To go with it we have a wonderful fresh summer salad.  August and September is corn and tomato season so why not put them to good use.  The cool salad tames down the heat of the beef and is the perfect side kick.  Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• chili powder
• garlic powder
• ground cumin
• ground oregano
• ground black pepper
• 1 - 1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak
• orzo pasta
• 2 fresh corn on the cobs - fresh is best
• red onion
• grape tomatoes
• bell pepper - red, yellow, or orange
• limes - needed for zest and juice
• cilantro
• We also grilled zucchini on the side!

Substitutions and Variations

• Use New York strip or filet mignon
• Use cherry tomatoes cut into 4th instead of grape tomatoes
• Bell peppers - use a sweeter one like red, yellow or orange
• Use shallots instead of red onion, or leave it out

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• If you make a lot of kabob buy some metal skewers.  It will save you money in the long run.

• If using bamboo skewers - soak for 30 minutes before threading to prevent the wood from burning

• You can make the orzo pasta ahead but it is not necessary.

• Microwave your limes for 15 seconds to get more juice out of them!

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Gaucho Beef Kabobs with Corn and Orzo Salad

serves 4

Gaucho Kabobs
4 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garlic
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-1 ½ pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

Corn and Orzo Salad
⅔ cup dried orzo pasta
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
½ cup thinly sliced red onion
⅔ cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon lime zest
¼ cup lime juice
2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Lime wedges and cilantro as garnish

In a small bowl combine chili powder, garlic powder, cumin,  oregano and black pepper.  Rub over meat pieces and thread meat onto skewers, leaving a 1/4 inch between each piece.

Grill meat skewers, covered, over medium heat 8 to 12 minutes or until meat is slightly pink in center, turning skewers once or twice during grilling.

Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions, adding corn the last minute of cooking. Drain in a colander. Rinse; drain again. 

In a large bowl combine orzo mixture, bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes.   For dressing: In a small measuring cup combine lime zest and juice, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, the cilantro, and 1/2 tsp. salt.   Cover and shake well. Pour dressing over orzo mixture, tossing to coat. 

To serve, arrange Corn and Orzo Salad on a large platter. Top with meat skewers and, if desired, additional cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.