Ingredients

  • Ground Beef with Red Wine Kabobs with a Creamy Parmesan Sauce
  • Kabobs
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 1/2 cups onions, diced fine
  • 1 red pepper, diced fine
  • 2 slices bread, soaked in milk and then squeezed out
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs, beaten well (small, if using jumbo or large use 1)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 1 cup fontina or 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt
  • pepper
  • Lamb Kabobs with a Creamy Mint Yogurt Sauce
  • Kabobs
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 2 slices bread, soaked in milk and then squeezed out
  • 3/4 cup minced onion
  • 2 eggs, beaten well (small, 1 if using large or jumbo)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon of fresh mint
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons dried currants
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pine nuts, lightly toasted (optional)
  • Sauce
  • 2 cups plain yogurt (greek yogurt is best if you can, but not necessary)
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 -5 tablespoons olive oil, to brush on the skewers as they grill

Method

  • Ok -- The directions for the meatballs is identical for both versions --
  • Mix all the ingredients for either the beef or the lamb in a large bowl. NOTE: I like to mix everything except the meat, then add the meat last to combine. Over mixing the meat can cause tough meatballs.
  • Meatballs -- Form the meatballs and lightly chill in the freezer to firm up a bit, refrigerator is fine if you don't have room in the freezer. Once firm, just 30 minutes or so, then put them on wooden skewers. I do 2-3 per small wooden skewers. And remember -- don't forget to soak the skewers 10-15 minutes so they don't burn on the grill. Then once again, put back in the freezer until ready to use. I take them out about 15-30 minutes before grilling, just to take the chill off, but they are still firm which makes grilling so much easier.
  • Grilling -- brush with olive oil on each side and grill 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
  • Sauce 1: Yogurt mint sauce.
  • Just mix the yogurt, mint, salt and chill until ready to use.
  • Sauce 2: Creamy Cheese Sauce.
  • In a small pot add the butter and melt on medium heat, then add the flour and stir just a minute to make a roux. Now add the milk and bring to a medium boil to thicken the sauce. Add the cheese, salt and pepper and stir until the cheese is melted. And you are done. Enjoy!
  • Just serve the meatball skewers with the dipping sauce.
  • Don't forget, doing some separate skewers of all tomatoes on one, maybe mushrooms or onions -- is a great touch. Everyone will love them.