Throw a Kebab Party
Go from garden to grill at your next summer bash with this delicious idea (some assembly required).

By:
Mick Telkamp
Related To:
Host a Make-Your-Own-Kebab Party
Put your summer harvest on display by setting up a simple kebab station at your next party. Guests will love whipping up their own tasty flavor combinations and you'll love the ease of this set-up.
Soak Skewers
That grill gets hot! Soak bamboo skewers in water at least 30 minutes before getting started to keep them from burning over the coals.
Cut Vegetables
Raid the garden and chop vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Cut denser vegetables into smaller pieces to ensure they will cook through. Good choices for kebab vegetables include zucchini, squash, cherry tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, onions, corn, eggplant and mushrooms.
Cutting Onions
Use small onions and quarter, leaving the end intact to hold the onion together while grilling.
Arrange Vegetables
Place cut veggies in separate bowls or on plates to make it easy to find your favorites when building custom kebabs.
Herbs
Mince herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme or cilantro to sprinkle over kebabs to add flavor and a touch of color.
Marinate Meats
Meat and seafood makes a great addition to any kebab. Add meat to marinades an hour before grilling to infuse rich flavor. Try garlic shrimp (1 pound shrimp, 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup parsley, juice 1 lime), BBQ Pork (1 lb pork, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce) or rosemary chicken (1 lb chicken, 3 tablespoons rosemary, 1/2 cup olive oil, juice 1 lemon).
Olive OIl
Have olive oil and a pastry brush on hand to coat kebabs before placing them on the grill.
Set the Table
Set the table with skewers, meats and vegetables, herbs, oil, select sauces or spices and plenty of plates and napkins. Let the fun begin!
Building Kebabs
Every kebab is a masterpiece. Take care when building kebabs to keep the pointed end away from yourself and others. Kids can fill a plate with their favorite ingredients to have an adult assist with assembly. Monitor children around the grill, and don't let them handle raw meats.
Coat with Oil
After assembly, brush the kebabs with a layer of olive oil.
Sprinkle with Herbs
Once oiled, sprinkle kebabs with your selection of herbs, salt, pepper or other spices.
Grilling Kebabs
Cook times will vary depending on the kebab. Grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turn once and allow the kebabs to cook for an additional 5-7. Remove from heat and allow to rest 2-3 minutes before eating, if you can bear the wait.