What is with people who graciously accept your dinner invitation, arrive two hours late without so much as an apology or look of regret on their face, eat merely two bites of the delicious spread you took hours to lay out and declare that they’re just not that hungry! Huh? Wha…?
A few years ago, when I was a newbie in town, I had decided to invite a few people over for a nice dinner so that we could all mingle and get to know each other over mounds of spiked jello shots. The list of invited guests included a few of my colleagues, neighbours, the friendly dude from my dance class and a close friend on mine I’ve known since we were barely in our teens. A weird bunch to bring together no doubt, but I figured that if I ever intended on having a close knit circle of friends to run to over the weekends, then they should at the very least meet each other in person.
I had decided on serving Mexican food. Mainly, because they were such a diverse bunch and I figured that bringing them together over a Taco/Fajita bar laden with fixin’s and over-flowing pitchers of Sangria would definitely lighten everyone’s spirits. And also of course, who doesn’t like Mexican food? I mean, seriously, isn’t it illegal to frown upon it in some parts of the world? Mexico included?
The table was set, plates, glasses and cutlery laid out, and a Mariachi band was serenading away on my second-hand stereo. Slowly, the crowd started to pour in. The music continued to play, folks laughed at each other’s jokes and I couldn’t empty out tortilla chips into the bowls fast enough! It was all going well, until this person made his entrance. He seemed to be in a real bad mood, which made me wonder why he didn’t just call me up and say that he wasn’t able to make it. He sulked in a remote corner all night, nibbling on a handful of chips dipped in about a teaspoon of salsa. Did I mention I actually roasted tomatoes for the first time to make that delicious batch? Needless to say, he hardly even kept a conversation with me – summarizing his answers to my questions in monosyllables. And you’d think he would call me up the next day to apologize, but I’m yet to hear his reasons for his insane behaviour – and it’s been almost seven years now. Not that we’re still in touch though. I somehow find it very hard to maintain my cool with people who show no consideration for others. Which is why I hardly ever cook dinner for them more than once.
When it comes to having friends over, and I mean those people who you really love to spend your time with and not those that you hope to spend some time with – I almost, always, cook whatever they enjoy most. I recently had a close friend over for lunch who is simply smitten by anything Mediterranean! Her love for this eclectic cuisine knows no bounds, and she’s not one to let a good meal pass her by. Since it’s that time of year when I love throw anything on the grill and enjoy a nice lunch outdoors – I wanted to create a cool, calm and simple summer menu, the highlight of which were these deliciously lovely kebabs.
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN KEBABS
Prep time: 10 min | Cooking time: 20 min | Makes: 8-10 medium-sized kebabsIngredients:
1 lb lean ground chicken
1 medium onion, finely chopped
a handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
a handful of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
2-3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
1 tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 egg, beaten
2-3 tbsp bread crumbs
salt, to tasteDirections:
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl to incorporate well. Form into kebabs and grill till done on both sides.
RECIPE NOTES: To grill in an indoor oven, heat oven to 375 degrees and grill for 20-25 minutes till done, turning once in between.
Tried this recipe? Leave a Comment and let me know, also Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat
I made this tonight it was sooo good! I added a little bit extra red chili powder (we like things spicy and i had more than 1lb chicken). I made it on my grill pan. I made a cold lentil salad and tzatki as sides. My husband loved it! no complaints. I will definitely be making this kabab again and again! 🙂
there is no doubt this Mediterranean kababs are great .I enjoyed this receipe by frying it .But i faced a problem .The receipe mixture i made was not staying on the grill .It was slipping in between so i had to fry it . Can somebody tell me how to make it more stiff so that it stays on the grill ?
Hi,
I recently got married and moved to this country and am a total novice at cooking. Mostly look at stuff on cooking blogs and try my hand at it.
Your kebabs look awesome – I have a question though… I do not have a grill. Do you think it’d be all right to bake these instead?
Can I make a vegetarian version with lentils? Do you have any other suggestions for a veggie version?
Oh I feel the same way…in my culture (I’m Kurdish) you constantly tell the host/hostess how wonderful the food it, how appreciative you are…etc. It is a BIG insult to not exaggerate and go on and on…I feel more cultures should show this kind of behavior. Even if I don’t love what someone cooked me…I LOVE that they took the time for me. And these kabobs look soooooo good!
I dont have a grill oven , is it possible for me to prepare kebabs in some other way?? Please help
I made these kebabs last night and they turned out great. I didn’t have any parsley so I mixed in some shiso leaves with the fresh cilantro. Because shiso has a sweeter taste, I did add a 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of ground coriander. Final result was yummy, I think next time I’ll make some tsaziki to go with it. =)
I love Mediterranean food. Your kababs look gorgeous!
Bookmarking this Meenakshi! I love to scroll down through all ur photos….
Wow….the kebabs look delicious. I am sure your friend was appreciative 🙂
Your Mediterranean kebabs is worth trying. Thanks for the recipe!
The opening paragraph of your post is the reason that I don’t have people over often and the ones I do have over, I can count on 1 hand – no kidding! I have become picky these days about the people I invite to my table to “break bread”. I also have some friends who are not open at all to trying foods or dishes other than the ones they know. I’ll definitely be trying your Mediterranean kebabs.
Lucky for me, most of our friends enjoy a good meal – even if it may turn out a little adventurous. It’s quite a pain when you’re stuck with cooking the same things over and over again ‘coz some people are just not open to anything new! Do let me know you it goes for you Cynthia!
Yum! i would normally make kebabs with lamb, but chicken sounds so fresh and light. I definitely wouldn’t sulk to be eating these at your place!
Lamb would be great in this as well Christie, it’s a very versatile recipe and pretty much anything goes!
We had a couple over for dinner once, who never once said anything I prepared was nice , just quietly ate & left without even a ‘thank you”! I have a rant of a post on them in my blog. And another person (whom I have the misfortune of being closely related by marriage to) actually told me her husband does not like some dishes I’d prepared, even as he was eating them! Very “special” people indeed! Nice if we could send them all to a “special” place! 🙂 Kebabs look fab! Love the picture!
Oh my God! That so happened to me too Vani; one person constantly kept saying how much her husband must be enjoying the food (while he truly seemed to be chugging it all down quietly), without so much as telling me how she liked it. Truth be told, I didn’t notice her eating much! lol… “special” indeed.
Ah, what can we say about ‘those’ special guests…we’ve had our fair share of them too 🙁
the kebabs look delish 🙂
I’m the kind of person that would think: too bad if you’re not enjoying yourself at my party and that would be the last time I invite this person. Stay home if you can’t behave in public. I love your kebabs and would be grateful to be invited at your table.
You’re most welcome anytime, dear sweet Helene!
Do you mean that we’re supposed to had 2 handfuls of parsley, or is there another chopped herb you meant instead of one of the parsleys?
Missed the Coriander Sara, thanks so much for pointing it out!
such behavior is simply unacceptable! if you put out dishes that look as good as these kebabs, anyone who would stand you up is a fool anyway! i’m smitten with all mediterranean food, so i just love these. 🙂
Oh no! I think that’s a common experience – that said, I still can’t work it out. Like you say, why not call ahead and cancel? That is much better than turning up and being downright rude. Cooking food is about generosity and reaching out to people – I’m thinking that person definitely didn’t get it!
I’ve had my share of ‘those’ guests as well *sigh*
Your kebabs look lovely. I’m alwasy on the lookout for interesting kebab recipes because we sure do like our food on sticks here; saves on the washing up, too 😉
I’m with you on that one Dee; and besides, food on a stick is always more fun!
Sounds delicious!
Cool Kababs Meena ….. they look really mouth watering. I have been looking for Mediterranean Kebab recipes …..
Your kebabs look wonderful! I’m having an eye on your hummus too 🙂
Sound and look delicious. Behaviour like that would not be tolerated in my home for sure. I would have probably told him to behave or bugger off…