Saffron Salmon Kababs Recipes

JOOJEH KABAB BA HOLU (SAFFRON CHICKEN KABABS WITH PEACHES)

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle (or small bowl and the handle end of a wooden spoon), grind the saffron with the sugar to a fine powder (about 1/4 teaspoon). Transfer to a large bowl.
• Bring 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a kettle, saucepan or using the microwave, then let stand for 2 minutes to allow the water temperature to drop slightly. Add to the ground saffron powder, gently stir, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
• To the saffron water, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper; carefully stir to mix. Add the chicken and onion to the marinade and combine until well-coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours, turning the chicken pieces around in the marinade every once in a while.
• Prepare a charcoal grill until the coals are ashed over and still hot, or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Skewer the tomatoes and peaches separately and set aside. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and skewer them. It's best to use flat, 1/2-inch-wide skewers or double skewers so the chicken pieces stay put when turned.
• Transfer the onion and any remaining marinade to a medium skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened and the skillet is nearly dry, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grill the chicken, basting with the butter and turning every 2 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes on a charcoal grill and 15 to 18 minutes on a gas grill.
• Grill the tomatoes and peaches alongside the chicken: Grill the tomatoes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until softened and slightly blistered, 6 to 8 minutes on charcoal and about 10 minutes on a gas grill. Grill the peaches, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until softened but not falling apart, about 10 minutes.
• If using lavash bread, drape on a serving platter. Place the chicken, tomatoes and peaches on the bread. (As the kababs sit, the bread soaks up the wonderful juices and becomes a highly sought-after bite.) Serve with the cooked onions, lime wedges for squeezing and sumac for sprinkling.

SAFFRON SALMON KABABS

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle or small bowl and the handle end of a wooden spoon, grind the saffron with a pinch of sugar to a fine powder (about 1/4 teaspoon). Transfer to a large bowl. Bring 2 tablespoons water to a boil in a saucepan, kettle or using the microwave, then let stand for 2 minutes to allow the water temperature to drop slightly. Add to the ground saffron powder, gently stir, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
• To the saffron water, add the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, oregano, coriander, pepper and turmeric. Stir to mix, add the salmon pieces and combine until the salmon is well coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• As the salmon marinates, prepare a charcoal grill until the coals are ashed over and slightly cooled to medium-hot and or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Skewer the salmon and save any remaining marinade. Grill the skewers, brushing with the remaining marinade and turning every couple of minutes, until tender and buttery, about 10 minutes total. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the fish. Enjoy, with bites of fresh herbs between bites of salmon.

SALMON KEBABS WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to 375 degrees F.
• Add the olive oil, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the salmon, red onion, and lemon quarters to the bowl and gently toss to coat.
• To assemble the kebabs, thread a few pieces of red onion onto an 8-inch-long metal skewer (see Cook's Note). Next, add a piece of salmon, followed by a quarter of lemon. Continue threading the ingredients onto the skewer until you have 4 pieces of salmon on the skewer. Set the finished kebab aside and continue the process with the remaining skewers and ingredients.
• Generously oil the grates of the preheated grill. Add the salmon kebabs to the grill and cook, turning halfway through, until nice grill marks have formed, and the salmon easily releases from the grill, 4 to 6 minutes. (This can alternatively be done on an indoor grill pan.)
• Remove the salmon to a serving platter and drizzle with the Herb Sauce. Serve with lemon wedges.
• Add the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a small food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse until the garlic is finely chopped. Add the basil and parsley leaves and blend until finely chopped. Transfer the herb sauce to a bowl to serve with the grilled salmon.