How to Grill With Bamboo Skewers

Use bamboo sticks instead of metal skewers for your next grilling.

Make your grilled meat go farther with the addition of bamboo skewers -- long sticks with pointed ends that allow you to slip the food items onto the stick. Although some people may prefer a metal skewer, this inexpensive option allows you to try the stick method of grilling with a minimum cost. Unlike metal skewers, bamboo skewers don't become overly hot on the grill, allowing you to grab them with your bare hands.

Things You'll Need

• Potatoes
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Cherry tomatoes
• Platter
• Bowl
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil
• Rice
• Salad

Instructions

1. Soak the skewers in water for 10 minutes. Allow the stick to absorb the water, as it will be over an open flame.

2. Cut up the potatoes, zucchini and squash into small pieces. Rinse the cherry tomatoes. Place the vegetables into a bowl, and season them with salt and pepper. Sprinkle olive oil on top, and mix it in with your hands. Stick the pointed end of the stick through the center of the vegetables. Thread the stick until you have filled it three-fourths of the way. Place them on a platter.

3. Cut the steak and chicken breasts into cubes. Slide the pieces on the skewer, alternating the meats. Season the meats with salt and pepper, and add them to the platter.

4. Turn on the grill and allow it to warm up. Place the meat skewers on the bottom shelf of the grill and the vegetables on the top shelf. Turn the meat skewers every five minutes (or less for rare meat) until all sides become cooked. Turn the vegetable skewers once.

5. Prepare the rice and salad while the items are grilling. Remove the skewers from the grill. Slide the items off.

Tips & Warnings

• Vary the vegetables and seasonings to taste.

References

• Boston Globe: A Time to Grill
• Country Living: Healthy Grilling Recipes