Thai Spiced Beef And Red Bell Pepper Kabobs Recipes

THAI BEEF WITH PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
• In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch, brown sugar, ginger, chili paste, garlic and the juice of half the lime. Pour a third of the marinade into a bowl with the sliced beef and toss to coat. Reserve the rest of the marinade for later.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high to high heat. When it is very hot, throw in the onions and cook for a minute or so. Add the bell peppers and jalapenos. Cook for a minute, tossing until the peppers have brown/black bits but are still firm. Remove the vegetables to a plate.
• Into the hot skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the meat mixture, evenly distributing it over the surface of the skillet. Allow to sit for 45 seconds, then turn with tongs. Cook for another 30 seconds, then add the onions and peppers back into the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Pour in the remaining marinade and stir. Allow to simmer on low for a few minutes; the sauce will slowly thicken. Turn off the heat.
• Drain the noodles, then add half of them to the stir-fry. Toss and add more noodles as desired. Stir in some very hot water if needed to thin the sauce.
• Top with basil and cilantro leaves and serve immediately with a squeeze of the remaining lime half.

BEEF, PEPPER & MUSHROOM KABOBS

Steps:

• Trim fat from beef steak; cut into 1 1/4-inch pieces.
• In large bowl, whisk together seasoning ingredients; add beef, bell pepper and mushrooms, tossing to coat. Alternately thread pieces of beef, bell pepper and mushrooms on each of four 12-inch metal skewers.
• Prepare rice according to package directions; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, place kabobs on rack in broiler pan so surface of meat is 3 to 4 inches from heat. Broil 9 to 12 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.
• Season with salt. Serve kabobs with rice. Makes 4 servings (serving size; 1 kabob and 3/4 cup rice) Total preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes Cook's Tip: To grill, place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered cools.
• Grill kabobs, uncovered, 8 to 11 minutes for medium rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally; season with salt.

TAPAS: BACON WRAPPED DATES AND SWEET RED BELL PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Soak round toothpicks in water for 15 minutes, this will prevent burning when baking.
• RED PEPPER SAUCE:.
• Place garlic cloves w/ peels on a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
• Rub pepper and onion with olive oil.
• After baking the garlic cloves for 15 minutes, add the red bell pepper and onion to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until tender and roasted. It may take a bit longer.
• Squeeze the roasted garlic out of it's paper into a blender along with the roasted onion and bell pepper. *use a blender or small food processor.
• Blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil until blended. * you may use more or less.
• Add salt.
• Slowly add half and half until creamy while blending.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Warm in the microwave before serving.
• BACON WRAPPED DATES:.
• Cut bacon strips in half (making them 1/2 as long approximately 3").
• Microwave the strips for 2 minutes.
• Wrap each date with a 1/2 strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
• Spray a 4 sided cookie sheet with nonstick spray.
• Place all prepared dates in the cookie sheet.
• NOTE: If you have mini muffin pan, suspend the bacon wrapped date over each opening and the bacon fat will drip off into the muffin pan. This is my preferred method.
• Bake for approximately 15 minutes, turning once. *Important to turn.
• After turning, continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until bacon brown and crispy or as desired.
• BAKING TIME may vary. Just be sure to watch carefully.
• Serve with sweet red pepper sauce for dipping or puddle the sauce on a plate and place the wrapped dates in the sauce.
• Note: Everything can be prepared and baked ahead of time and served later. Just warm through in the microwave for about 30 seconds.