Summer Feast with BBQ Skewers

R E C I P E

SUMMER FEAST

with BBQ Skewers

Recipe and photos by Cathy McLellan

Serves 4 | Prep Time 45 minutes | Cooking Time 5-10 minutes

When you look up camping feast in the dictionary, I’m pretty sure you are going to find a picture of BBQ Skewers. Fun, heat, flavor – a perfect combination for any summer adventure. This dish is easy to make; you can prep ahead of time; sit back and enjoy the fun of creating a sizzling dish for your family and friends. The cool thing is that you can be super creative with this dish and include all your favorite components. Add a big fresh salad and hot baked potatoes, and you are set to go.

Let’s get at it.

BBQ Skewers are fun to make, delicious to eat, and can be totally customized to your taste and the taste and preferences of your friends and family. Choose veggies and components that can be pierced relatively easily and hopefully not break apart easily. Choose veggies that are in season, organic if possible, and ones that you love. Think variety of color, texture, and flavor to make your skewers sing!

Ingredients

• 2 small onions – red, yellow, or white, cut in quarters • 1 red and one green pepper – hot or mild, cut into squares • 6 mushrooms – So many varieties to choose from • 2 zucchinis – cut into thick rounds • ½ fresh pineapple – fresh or one can of chunky, add a bit of sweetness • 12.5 ounce (360-gram) package of medium to firm tofu – cubes • 12-15 baby tomatoes • 8-10 skewers, wooden or metal will work, soak if wooden

Directions

1) Gather and prep your veggies and other components 2) Soak your skewer in water for at least one-half hour, if using wooden skewers 3) Marinate all or some of your components in BBQ sauce or your favorite dressing (like a Mediterranean style dressing – lots of spices, oil, and vinegar) 4) Prep your sides – potatoes to bake, salad, other veggies 5) Put the prepped components on the soaked skewers, carefully sliding them on, leave a bit of space so that they will get a good cook on each piece. 6) Place skewers on a hot fire. This is where it gets tricky. Pay attention and at the same time, be patient. 7) Turn skewers regularly to manage the char and cook evenly on each skewer. 8) Continue to baste (with your marinade) to intensify the flavor. 9) When cooked to your liking (somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes), take off the BBQ and serve with your sides. Garnish with fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro). Enjoy!

Alternatives and Tips

• You can cook the skewers on an open fire or in the oven for a more controlled cook • Blanch veggies that take a long time to cook prior to adding to the skewers • Leave space for heat and air to circulate • Have your guests make their own skewers – totally customized to their tastes

Other Ingredients you could add to the above or swap out for your favorites

• Broccoli and Cauliflower – blanch florets to soften before adding to the skewers • Corn on the Cob – cut into small rounds • Seitan strips – woven onto the skewers • Tempeh – braised and cut into cubes • Squash – cut into cubes