Thai Melon Skewers Food

THAI-STYLE GRILLED PORK SKEWERS (MOO PING) RECIPE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine garlic, cilantro stems, palm sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, and MSG (if using), and stir until palm sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
• Freeze pork for 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes (partially freezing the pork makes it easier to slice). Using a sharp chef's knife or slicing knife, slice pork against the grain into 2-inch-long, 1-inch-wide, and 1/8-inch-thick strips. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is to start by portioning the pork butt into 2-inch-wide by 1-inch-thick pieces, and then slicing those pieces crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick strips.
• Combine pork and marinade in a large bowl, and toss until every piece of meat is evenly coated in marinade. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, and up to 36 hours.
• Thread one piece of pork onto a skewer, piercing it through twice to secure it, then pushing meat tightly together like an accordion. Continue threading pork onto skewer, making sure meat is tightly bunched together, leaving no parts of the skewer exposed except for a 2-inch handle at the bottom, and the pointy tip at the top. Repeat skewering process with remaining pork.
• Set up grill for skewers, making sure to adjust distance between bricks to the length of your skewers. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly in the channel between the bricks.

THAI-STYLE CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Pound each chicken breast between 2 lightly oiled sheets of parchment or waxed paper into a 4 by 4 inch piece about 1/8-inch thick.
• Lay a piece of chicken smooth-side down on the work surface. Spread 1/2 teaspoon of the chile paste over the surface and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Trim and halve the scallions lengthwise. Lay them side-by-side across the lower third of the chicken, so there is white and greens at both ends. Top with 2 or 3 pieces of the red and yellow peppers. Roll the chicken around the vegetables into a tight cylinder. Thread a wooden skewer through the seam of the roll to seal. Repeat with the remaining chicken and vegetables to make 4 rolls. These can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in an oven-proof nonstick skillet over high heat. Season the rolls with salt and pepper, to taste. Lay the rolls, seam side down, in the pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine the lime juice, fish sauce, water, chile paste, honey, mint and coriander in a small bowl and set aside.
• To serve: Carefully remove the skewers, taking care to keep the rolls intact. Cut across the rolls to make round pieces about 3/4-inch thick, and thread onto skewers. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with peanuts and serve with the dipping sauce.

THAI BEEF SKEWERS WITH PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Pickle the cucumbers: In a small saucepan, heat the sugar, salt, vinegar and 1/4 cup water over medium-high heat until the sugar and salt dissolve; remove from the heat. Put the cucumber, chile and red onion in a medium bowl and pour the hot brine over them. Let cool, then add the cilantro. Chill.
• Make the beef skewers: In a medium bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, fish sauce, mirin, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Pour half of the mixture into a serving bowl, add the lime juice and reserve as a dipping sauce. Put the beef cubes in a zip-top bag and pour in the remaining marinade. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the meat. Put in a bowl and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. Preheat a grill to high. Drain the meat, discarding the marinade. Thread the cubes onto skewers (1 to 4 per skewer), separating each cube with a piece of scallion. Grill directly over the coals, turning once, until nicely charred, about 3 minutes per side. Sprinkle with sliced scallions. Serve warm or cold with the reserved marinade for dipping and the pickled cucumber and chiles on the side. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to keep them from burning on the grill. Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

THAI CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the lime juice, zest, coriander stalks, sugar, fish sauce, oil, garlic, ginger and curry paste together.
• Slice each chicken breasts into 4 strips lengthways and coat with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to half a day. Soak 32 wooden brochette sticks in water for at least half an hour.
• Thread each strip onto a wooden brochette stick, weaving in and out as if you're sewing.
• Preheat the grill or barbecue and cook the chicken for 4 - 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through, in batches.
• Arrange on a platter. Serve with a pot of sweet chilli sauce and a sprinkling of coriander leaves.

THAI STEAK SKEWERS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the brown sugar, lime juice, soy sauce, curry powder, lemon juice, 1/4 cup coconut milk and 1 teaspoon pepper flakes; add the steak. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours. , Drain and discard marinade. On 16 metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread beef with lime slices if desired. Grill, covered, over medium-hot heat or broil 4-in. from the heat for 6-8 minutes or until meat reaches desired doneness, turning occasionally., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, remaining coconut milk and pepper flakes. Cook and stir over medium heat until blended. Transfer to a small bowl; sprinkle with peanuts. Serve with steak skewers.

THAI CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the yoghurt, coriander, ginger, lemongrass, chilli, fish sauce and cumin.
• Add the chicken to the bowl and toss well to coat; allow to marinate for 15 minutes in the fridge; thread the chicken onto damp (see TIPS below) skewers.
• Heat a char-grill or pan on medium; spray with oil; cook skewers for 4-5 minutes each side until the chicken is cooked through; serve with lime wedges and steamed Asian greens.
• TIPS: Soak the skewers in water for 20 minutes before cooking, to prevent scorching. Steam Asian greens in a steamer over gently simmering water; drain and drizzle with hoisin to serve.