Recipe: Midwest Steak And Shrimp Kabobs

Kabobs are great for the grill, as you can be as creative as you want, mixing and matching different meats, vegetables, and seafood. They're also relatively quick to grill, and it's fun to try different marinades and combinations of foods on the skewers.

Of course you've got to make sure items that are on the same skewer together cook in approximately the same time frame, but if you're grilling foods of various types together, you can also help even out the grilling time by cutting longer-cooking foods in smaller pieces.

This tasty recipe is a twist on the "surf & turf" concept, combining juicy sirloin steak with shrimp and veggies for a whole meal on a stick!

Midwest Steak And Shrimp Kabobs
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 lb medium size shrimp, peeled and deveined, uncooked
1/2 lb boneless sirloin steak, cubed in about 1-inch pieces
16 cherry tomatoes
2 cups medium mushroom caps
1 green bell pepper, cut in chunks

Directions:

• In a 9x13 inch glass baking dish, whisk together the soup mix, soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey; set aside.
• Put on skewers the shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, steak, and green pepper alternating. 
• Set skewers into baking dish with prepared marinade and turn to coat evenly.
• Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, turning several times and re-covering with plastic before returning to refrigerator.
• To prepare: remove skewers from baking pan; save marinade sauce.
• Preheat grill or broiler to medium-hot and cook, turning several times and basting as you go with the reserved marinade sauce.
• You'll know when the kabobs are done when the shrimp has turned pink.
• Remove and serve with a side dish of flavored rice.

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp With Lemon Truffle Oil Vinaigrette

Whether you're in the Pacific Northwest, or the Southeastern U.S., shrimp is always on the menu! This extremely simple recipe is absolutely delicious no matter where you are - and it's a snap to prepare. Serve over salad greens with grilled vegetables and hot buttered garlic bread on the side and a glass of white wine, and dinner will be ready in 30 minutes or less!

Grilled Shrimp With Lemon Truffle Oil Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: Neeta Lind)

16 large shrimp (raw, cleaned)
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup white truffle oil
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. minced sweet onion
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Prepare shrimp: Butterfly the shrimp with a sharp knife, cutting along the top curve (where you took the vein out), cutting just short of going all the way through. 
• Then lay the shrimp flat in a shallow dish, insides facing up, and drizzle the olive oil over evenly. Set aside.
• Prepare vinaigrette: In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, truffle oil, parsley, and onion. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Grill: Oil a grilling pan and set the grill heat to medium high. When grill is heated, carefully set the shrimp on grilling pan and cook for about 3 minutes total time, flipping once. Remove shrimp immediately to a platter.
• While shrimp is still warm, drizzle the vinaigrette over the shrimp.
• You can serve the shrimp on top of a salad or by themselves as a meal with other sides, or as an appetizer.

Recipe: Lemony Herbed Shrimp Kabobs

This is a super easy and tasty recipe great for summer grilling! Fresh lemon zest, herbs, and honey combine to give the shrimp a punch of flavor and character. Add your choice of vegetables to the skewers, such as zucchini, summer squash, sliced bell peppers, etc., for a full meal. Check it out for your next barbecue or pop it on the grill for a quick, light, weeknight dinner.

Lemony Herbed Shrimp Kabobs
(Serves 2-3 as a main dish.)

Shrimp kebobs on a charcoal grill. (Photo credit: ddkkpp)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup honey
3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions:

• Whisk together all ingredients (except shrimp) in a glass or plastic bowl, then add shrimp and gently toss to combine.  
• Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Prepare your grill or broiler.
• Remove shrimp from marinade, discard marinade, and put shrimp on metal or water-soaked bamboo skewers.
• Grill for 5 to 7 minutes, turning once during cooking time, until shrimp are cooked through and pink. (This can be a main dish for 2 to 3 people or appetizers for more.)