Sweet and Sour Chicken Kabobs!
Dinner should be fun.
Let's name a few fun things:
1. Grilling things.
2. Stuff cooked on sticks.
3. Stuff that tastes like dessert but isn't.
4. Quick dinners.
Hey, look at that. Not only does this meet every requirement listed for fun, it is tasty and kinda healthy… Now lets stab stuff with sticks! And be careful! You don't want to stab your fingers…
Sweet and Sour Chicken Kabobs!
Things you need:
1 tsp honey
1 tsp vegetable oil (could substitute with any other very light, heat resistant oil)
Juice from 1 medium lime (2 tsp?)
1/4 white pepper, ground
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or other soy-saucy type stuff)
2 tsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp Hoison (this can be omitted if your diet doesn't agree with this delicious stuff)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1" cubes)
2 bell peppers (I used red, but use whatever color floats your boat)
16-20 pieces of pineapple (Probably about a pound, maybe? I used the medium-sized, already-cut-up-from-the-grocery-store type.), cut into 1" cubes
Mix the first seven ingredients and pour into a one gallon zip top bag. Add chicken to bag and seal. Then mix, coating chicken evenly with this amazing smelling mixture. Then, lovingly place it into your fridge. Be sure to place the bag in a bowl or other container in case your bag isn't as carefully sealed and leak-free as you hope it will be…
2-4 hours later…
(At this point soak any wood skewers for 30 mins prior to using. If you are using metal skewers, you can soak them also, but it will accomplish nothing.)
Note how I used two skewers per hunks o'food. This makes turning easier.
Preheat grill or broiler to medium high heat.
This next part is the most important. You guys…
BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DON'T STAB YOURSELF WITH A SKEWER!!!
I cannot stress how you don't need to be like me and make yourself into a person-kabob. Seriously, don't do it.
Now, Starting with a bell pepper, layer your kabobs. Pepper, chicken, pineapple, chicken, pepper, chicken, pineapple, chicken, pepper… Ok, what comes next?
Nothing. Nothing comes next. I reached the end of my skewer. But if yours are longer, keep going.
Now, grill or broil your skewers on all sides rotating frequently. Once chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165, take it away from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before tearing into them.
"Hey what about them thar' greens?"
Ok… Fine.
Asian-inspired Spinach and Mushrooms
Things you need:
1 lb. Button mushrooms (sub any kind of mushroom you like here) sliced
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 lb. baby spinach (washed and dried)
1 tsp. soy sauce (again, or some kind of soy-sauce-ish product)
1/4 tsp white pepper, ground
2 tsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (or more…)
Preheat a medium pan over medium heat. Add a tsp light oil (I used vegetable) to the skillet and then add mushrooms. Salt very lightly. And stir until...
"Hey! You are add some that soy-sauce-ish-like stuff too! Why not add it here?!?" you shout defiantly.
I am glad you asked. We need just a touch of salt here, not to season the dish overall, but to help the mushrooms give up their liquid. We want all that delicious liquid seeping out and hitting our hot pan. This liquid then reduces and is how we get a delicious mushroom flavor throughout. Mmmm...
Now after the mushrooms have surrendered their liquid (3-5 minutes), add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes more until fragrant. At that point, add the spinach. It will look like your pan is not big enough. Stir until wilted down, then toss the soy sauce, pepper, and vinegar. After the spinach is all wilted BUT has retained a vibrant green color (2-3 minutes), remove pan from heat and add the sesame oil. Stir and scoop/pour/remove everything from the pan. Top with the sesame seeds and start eating.
BTW this does not make that much. Maybe 2-3 servings. Unless people don't like spinach or mushrooms and are just eating it to make you feel better, then it is about 6-8 servings.
- End -
Diet-ish type stuff…
Paleo: Should be good for most of it. Check out your individual plans to see if Hoison or pineapple are part of your plan.
21 Day Fix: Don't see it as one skewer is a serving. Fill containers with chicken (red), bell peppers and spinach/mushroom (green), and pineapple (purple) to make sure you get the right amounts. Also, might need to give yourself an orange, just to make sure you take into account all the different oils and seasonings (not on free list).
Gluten-Free: Should be ready to rock and eat a-la-stick. Check your ingredients for a gluten-free labels and make substations as needed (shouldn't be much if any).
