What You Need To Know Before Grilling Kebabs

Kebabs are a powerful tool in a grillmaster's arsenal, a skewered dish that is as pretty to look at as it is fun to eat. Foodie spoke with Christie Vanover, owner and pitmaster of Girls Can Grill, a grand champion of multiple competitions, and contestant on Season 4 of Food Network's "BBQ Brawl," about the common mistakes people make when grilling kebabs, as well as some of her favorite combos to skewer up for grilling.

First of all, Vanover insists, you need to be mindful of the cooking times of different items that you might be placing on the same skewer. "[F]or instance, shrimp will cook up super quick compared to chicken," she explains. "If they're on the same skewer, your shrimp will end up overcooked by the time the chicken is cooked through." You should use a similar mindfulness with veggies and fruit. "Potatoes take a long time to cook compared to zucchini. So skewer your ingredients based on cook time," she tells us. Naturally, you also need to be aware of how hot your grill is cooking. Just like there is the best temperature for grilling burgers, so should you make sure that your kebabs are packed with items that cook well at the same intensity of flame.

Some items just don't belong on the grill — filet mignon, for instance, is a meat that you should avoid grilling due to its tendency to become chewy. But Vanover's key tip here is not to over-complicate your kebabs. "I skewer a single kind of meat on each kebab," she says. "I love using chicken thighs, flank steak or shrimp." Making kebabs for non-meat eaters? "For veggies, I'm a fan of onions, mushrooms, peppers and zucchini," Vanover enthuses. Overall, "[w]hen making kebabs, have fun with the flavors," she encourages. She recommends trying out bold seasonings and marinades, and even playing with the skewer items. For instance, peaches covered in cinnamon-sugar are a great favorite of hers, along with the more common pineapple. Vanover adds that grilled fruit pairs deliciously with ice cream!

No matter what kebabs you decide upon, make sure that you are cleaning the grates of your grill after every variety. Not transferring undesirable flavors to your next meal is the biggest reason why you should clean your grill after every use, to say nothing of the risk of mold developing. Remembering your basic cooking times, along with putting flavor in the forefront, will guarantee that your kebabs keep all your loved ones coming back for more.