Maple Pepper Meat Skewers Recipes

EASY BEEF KABOBS

Steps:

• Cut steak, peppers, and onion into roughly equal sized pieces (about 1-1.5").
• In a large freezer bag or storage container, stir together the oil, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, honey, onion powder, and chipotle powder if using.
• Add steak and let marinate for at least one hour, and up to 6 hours.
• If using wooden skewers, soak for 10 minutes before skewering beef and vegetables.
• Skewer beef cubes and vegetables, alternating as you like. I try to ensure 3-5 cubes of beef per skewer, depending on how long the skewers are.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Place kabobs directly over the heat, cooking for 4-5 minutes before flipping and cooking another 4-5 minutes. See notes for cook times depending on your preference for doneness.
• Remove and let sit 5 minutes before serving.

PEPPER STEAK SKEWERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Butterfly the steak by cutting horizontally through the center until the two halves open flat. Cover with plastic wrap and pound it to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 3 equal rectangles.
• Lay out each steak rectangle. Season with 1 tablespoon steak seasoning. Lay a piece of the roasted red pepper along the bottom edge of each. Sprinkle each with 1/3 cup cheese. Starting at the bottom edge, roll each rectangle into a tight log. Place the 3 rolls parallel to one another. Pierce the 3 rolls with 6 evenly spaced skewers so each skewer goes through the center of all rolls. Slice the rolls between the skewers to make 6 skewers with 3 pieces on each. Season with the remaining 1 tablespoon steak seasoning.
• Make the spicy yogurt sauce: Combine the steak seasoning, yogurt, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and parsley in a bowl.
• Brush the grill grates with the canola oil. Grill the skewers for 3 minutes on all sides. Serve with the sauce. Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

SAUSAGE-AND-PEPPER SKEWERS

Steps:

• Soak eight 8-inch skewers in water, at least 15 minutes. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Prepare the couscous as the label directs.
• Meanwhile, toss the bell peppers, sausage, onion and tomatoes in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Thread onto the skewers, alternating the sausage and vegetables. Grill, turning, until the vegetables are slightly softened and the sausage begins to brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, puree the parsley, cilantro and scallions in a blender with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the vinegar and 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt and pepper. Brush the skewers with some of the pesto and continue to cook, turning, until the tomatoes are tender and the sausage is charred, 6 to 7 more minutes.
• Toss the couscous with half of the remaining pesto and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the skewers and the remaining pesto, for dipping.
• Photography by Antonis Achilleos

MAPLE-PEPPER BACON

Steps:

• Position wire racks on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Lay 1 pound bacon in a single layer on the racks and bake 7 minutes at 375 degrees F. Brush with maple syrup and continue baking until caramelized, about 25 minutes, flipping, brushing with syrup and seasoning with pepper every 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the racks.

MAPLE-PEPPER BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the bacon on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the fat starts rendering, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and blot the bacon with paper towels on both sides.
• Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup and cayenne in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring, until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Brush the bacon with half the syrup mixture and sprinkle with half the ground peppercorns. Bake until the bacon browns around the edges, about 15 minutes. Flip and blot the other side with paper towels, then brush with the remaining syrup mixture (reheat in the microwave, if necessary); sprinkle with the remaining peppercorns. Continue baking until the bacon browns and the sugar melts, 15 to 20 more minutes. Let cool slightly.

SPICED GROUND MEAT SKEWERS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the meat, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, sumac, salt, Urfa pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon, if using.
• With your hands, thoroughly knead and massage the meat to incorporate the ingredients, about 4 minutes. Breaking down the meat will create a sticky, cohesive mixture that results in a pleasing springy texture. You can also combine everything in an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, in which case it will take only about 2 minutes. Chill the mixture for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
• Wet your hands with cold water, then divide meat into 6 equal portions and mold each around a metal or soaked bamboo skewer (see Tip). Transfer skewers to a large plate or baking sheet. You can grill them right away at this point, or cover and refrigerate them while preparing the grill (up to 4 hours).
• Heat the grill to high. When the grill is hot, lightly brush the grates with oil, and add the skewers. Cook, rotating them carefully every few minutes, until evenly browned and slightly charred in places, about 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let rest for a few minutes. Garnish with more herbs, sumac and flaky sea salt, and serve.