I don’t know about you but, with the World Cup on, I do not want to spend ages slaving over a barbecue with lots of preparation, especially with up to three games a day on the telly. I apologise to my wife for this fact …
That said, I do want to watch the games with friends over a couple of ice cold beers or a nice glass of chilled rosé (I am in touch with my feminine side), so rather than send out for carb-hungry pizza or a calorie-laden takeaway, here is a really simple recipe that will make you the ‘BBQ Champion’ with your buddies and leave you feeling on top of the world!
These easy BBQ Beef Kebabs are best served inside a wrap or pitta bread with a good lug of Tzatziki sauce on top and a lovely fresh green salad.
Ingredients:
■ 1kg good quality beef mince
■ 1 cup breadcrumbs
■ 2 eggs
■ ½ cup fresh parsley, coriander and mint, roughly chopped
■ ½ onion finely diced
■ 2 garlic cloves finely diced
■ 2 small red chillies sliced
■ 1 teaspoon mustard
■ ½ teaspoon cumin
■ ½ teaspoon paprika
■ Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
Tatziki
■ 250ml fresh Greek yoghurt
■ ½ cup of grated cucumber
■ Juice of 1 lemon
■ 1 teaspoon cumin
■ 1 teaspoon paprika
Method:
Preheat your barbecue to a medium to low heat for about 5-mins if using gas.
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or in a mixing bowl and season.
Roll the mince mix into fingers and mould onto the end of a skewer. If using wooden skewers, make sure you have soaked them in water in advance.
Roll lightly in breadcrumbs before cooking (this assists in keeping the mix on the skewer).
Grill lightly on all sides for approximately 6-mins and turn occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.
Whilst the kebabs cook, mix together the ingredients for the Tzatziki ready to top off the kebabs.
When the kebabs are cooked, let them rest for a couple of minutes before pushing these beautiful bits of beef loveliness into the wrap or pitta. You know what to do with the Tzatziki!
Then select the match, get the beer out of the fridge, sit back, relax and support your favourite team!
By CHRIS WINSTANLEY
