How to Cook With Skewers

Cooking With Skewers

A skewer is a cooking utensil used to cook small pieces of meat, vegetables, and fruit. A skewer is usually long and slender. Two popular types of skewers are metal and bamboo. Skewers come in varying lengths. Some are small, about 8 inches long. Other skewers, such as professional grade skewers, hold a lot of food and are perfect for cooking for large crowds. Cooking with skewers is a fun and attractive way to present food. Everyone loves food cooked over an open flame. Cooking with skewers gives your meal a tasty touch of flame and brings out the natural flavors in your food. Here's how to cook with skewers.

Things You'll Need

• Skewers of your choice (bamboo or metal) Cooking spray Hot grill Meat, vegetables, and fruit cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes Oven mitts Platter

Instructions

Cooking With Skewers

1. Cut your meat, vegetables, and fruits into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Trim any excess fat away from the meat. Use lean cuts to get the best flavor. Leave the rinds on vegetables such as squash. This will keep the vegetables together as they cook.

2. Spray your skewers with cooking oil. This will make it easier to remove your food after it is done cooking. Use no-fat or low-fat cooking oil if you are concerned about your fat intake.

3. Skewer your food cubes carefully through the center of the cubes. Combine foods on skewers that have similar cooking times. You do not want to cook tomatoes with beef. You will end up with raw meat and charred vegetables.

4. Place skewers on a preheated grill that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Position skewers in parallel directions to get grill marks on your food.

5. Move skewers from the bottom rack to the top if your food begins to cook too fast. Use your oven mitts to adjust your skewers. Skewers can get hot quickly on the grill.

6. Meat cooks in about 15 minutes and will need to be turned once to cook evenly. Fruits and vegetables only take about 7 or 8 minutes and will also need to be turned once. Remove skewers from the grill with your oven mitts.

Tips & Warnings

• Marinade foods in separate containers to keep from cross-contaminating.

References

• Betty Crocker Cookbook