Sunday, August 3, 2014

Spiced Salmon Kebabs


Last night we had friends over for dinner. The sun was tucked between the clouds, with a light breeze off the ocean. The weather was perfect for dining alfresco. We ate the appetizers and main meal at the picnic table on the deck. We had salmon kebabs, couscous with parsley and a salad with several different varieties of lettuce from the garden. Here sesame seeds, ground cumin, salt and fresh oregano make up the spice that is sprinkled on the kebabs about an hour before grilling. The flavor is almost Mediterranean with a touch of flavor from the Middle East or some combination of the two. Everyone enjoyed the meal and thought the kebabs were unique and delicious.


At the end of the end of the evening I thought back to earlier in the week. Back to when I was fretting over the menu, trying to decide what to prepare. I think that some people are naturally decisive and good at organizing. That would not be me. As you can imagine for myself, the planning part of entertaining is hard. So glad I decided and stuck with the idea to keep the meal simple. I served seasonal fresh food that was quick to prepare and even had plenty of time to visit with our friends.

Recipe has been adapted from Bon Appetit  magazine.

Ingredients:

Spice mixture:

4 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
4 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

Salmon:

2.5 to 3 pounds of salmon (cut into 1 inch pieces)
4 lemons (sliced, very thin into rounds)
Extra virgin olive oil

To prepare:

For the skewers; I used small metal ones, if you use wooden, soak in water at least 1 hour before.

In a small bowl mix oregano, sesame seeds, cumin salt and red pepper flakes together. Set aside.


Thread salmon and folded lemon slices onto the skewers. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with spice mixture.


Prepare grill for medium heat. Place on grill and turn occasionally, until fish is cooked about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from grill, enjoy!




Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

61 comments:

  1. Salmon is a favourite. These kebabs look droolworthy!

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  2. Lovely colours! I love salmon, and will surely love the kebabs! Thanks for sharing!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

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  3. How lovely to have friends over for dinner. I always enjoy a dinner party. And what a beautiful summer's meal. Your kebabs look wonderful xx

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  4. A great summer dish and fabulous way to prepare salmon!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. Scrumptious!
    Have a super day.
    :-) Mandy xo

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  6. This sounds like the perfect meal for entertaining :)

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    1. Hi Tandy, it was a good meal, I was a little anxious at first.

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  7. I love the thinly sliced lemon threaded between the salmon-beautiful!

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  8. Yum! Salmon goes so well with couscous, too. I bet these were awesome!

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  9. Wow Cheri! These kebabs are gorgeous! The perfect dish to share outside with friends while soaking up the beautiful summer evening!

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  10. Sounds like a great summer dinner! The kebabs look so nice!

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  11. My boyfriend loves salmon so these are perfect for him! I love planning entertaining sessions, but my problem is relaxing when people finally do show up!

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    1. Hi Amy, oh it's the planning part that I have trouble with, thats kind of my big weakness.

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  12. Your backyard is so pretty! And so are these kebabs! Love the flavors you used on them!

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  13. Looks lovely, fresh and colorful. A nice way to enjoy a summer evening too!

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  14. I've never made salmon kebabs, but your spice rub sounds perfect! I'd love to pop these on OUR grill :)

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    1. Thanks Liz, I bet the rub would be good with chicken too.

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  15. Love the look and sound of your salmon kebabs…I like the combination of the sesame seeds with the cumin.

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  16. Cheri, I would be extremely happy to be served this as a dinner guest! I totally understand what you're saying though about stressing out over what to make for dinner when you have guests. I feel totally the same. Last week I offered to take a dessert to a friend's house but the host didn't like chocolate and my hubby doesn't like lemon - talk about a challenge!

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    1. HI Helen, wow! what a challenge, wondering what you came up with?

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  17. Fresh lettuce from the garden with grilled salmon and couscous, that sure is one sumptuous meal. Like Helen above I too would be extremely happy to be served this as a dinner guest.
    Noticed you placed the salmon kabobs directly on the grill, did you have problem with the salmon pieces coming apart and falling through the grill?

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    1. HI Norma, my husband does the grilling but we had cut the salmon into large cubes a little larger than the width of the grill grate and he only had problems with one of the kebabs.

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  18. Did someone said kebabs???? YUM!!!!
    :)

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  19. sounds like a perfect way to entertain friends. :)

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  20. Hey Cheri - this looks and sounds terrific. I don't get to entertain much anymore so I'm not very good at it. I miss having nice dinners with friends and a good glass of wine. Thanks so much for your comments and letting me know you made the tomato cobbler. We loved it and will make it again especially since we're covered up with tomatoes. Thanks again! This is lovely, and so is your writing.

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    1. Hi Tricia, love tomatoes and that pie is certain that. We really only entertain here in Oregon, back home it's pretty much all family.

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  21. I don't eat salmon nearly enough, this reminds me to do so!

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  22. I've never thought to use salmon in kebabs. Why not?! These look so delicious! I'd love these for dinner

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    1. Thanks Cindy, it was so easy, could be a great weeknight dinner too.

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  23. I seriously CANNOT wait to have a grill so I can make recipes like this!

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    1. Hi Erin, I love grilling because that's my husbands job. Ha!

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  24. wow, looks pretty sapicy and tasty salmon kebab
    i once made salmon satay, taste really good too, but it's easily falling off from the kewer

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  25. Sounds like a wonderful dinner. You had no need to fret :)

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  26. These skewers look excellent. well done!

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  27. Wow Cheri, these salmon skewers look absolutely delicious, I am going to make them this weekend for my husband and I!

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    1. Hi Phi, great, they are easy to prepare and the spice is great!

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  28. I saw that recipe and love how it looks with those lemons tucked between the chunks of salmon. Perfect Summer meal for outdoors.

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  29. I have never made salmon kebabs either..love the interlaced lemon!
    I can almost sense the feeling of your al fresco evening..

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  30. This look so good and light for a summer evening. I especially love the lemon slices between the salmon chunks.

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  31. These look wonderful. We love salmon but have never tried it as kebabs. Thanks for posting the recipe!

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  32. Salmon kabobs!! What a wonderful dinner. So healthy and and delicious!

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