Build-Your-Own Shish Kabobs

Cooking With Kids

Let kids help make meals. They will feel a sense of pride and are less likely to be finicky if they help prepare and choose the foods they eat. Provide them with healthy protein and vegetables choices and let them build their own shish kabobs for dinner.

You Will Need:

1 Pound Sirloin Steak or 1 Pound Skinless Chicken Breasts (cubed and cut into 1-inch cubes) or 1 Pound 16 to 20 Count Shrimp (shelled and deveined)
Bell Peppers
Onions
Cherry Tomatoes
Zucchini
Squash
Baby Potatoes (boiled first until cooked through)
Seasonings for Marinades (see recipes for marinades below)

What to Do:

1. Marinate steak, chicken, or shrimp in the refrigerator for two hours. Some marinade ideas are below.
2. Soak bamboo or wooden skewers in room temperature water for at least ten minutes before grilling so they won’t burn when cooking shish kabobs.
3. Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces.
4. Place meats, shrimp, and veggies in individual bowls. Have kids wash their hands and instruct them how to put their favorite choices on a skewer.
5. Grill kabobs directly over heat source for 10 to 15 minutes, turning 1/4 every two to three minutes or until the meat or fish is cooked through. You can use a Panini maker to grill the shish kabobs inside if you don’t have an outdoor grill.

Balsamic Marinade for Steak:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Citrus Marinade for Chicken:
1 orange, zest, then juice
1 lemon, zest, then juice
1 lime, zest, then juice
4 cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoon tarragon
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Lemon-Garlic Marinade for Shrimp:
3 cloves minced garlic
2 minced shallots
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice