The Savory Hack For Boosting The Flavor Of Your Skewers
Stacked with meats, vegetables, herbs, and even sometimes fruits, skewers are a great party staple and playful dish for the grill. Also known by the name shish kebabs, skewers' origins can be traced all the way back to ancient culinary practices in the Middle East. So, you may believe skewers have already reached their peak or, at least, that you've achieved everything you could possibly imagine with them, but you'd be surprised. There's a creative way to boost their savory flavor even more.
This hack does not involve marshmallows with hotdogs on skewers (the ultimate Filipino party food). No, this boosting of flavor comes from the trusted and steadfast taste of iconic rosemary. You can use rosemary sprigs instead of wooden stakes to hold your skewers together. These are more attractive and will imbue whatever ingredients you decide to put on there with their incredibly herby goodness. It's an affordable, accessible hack that complements the exquisite flavors of your skewers.
How to use rosemary, sprig and all
Rosemary stalks may feel flimsy, so it's essential to find a bunch with woody stalks. It'll save you time and generally make your life easier, as it will hold the shape of the skewer well. Just thread the rosemary sprig through the skewer ingredients. It's also visually appealing to leave a good fan of rosemary popping out the top of the kebab. That'll take on an excellent charred color, adding a rustic hint to your skewers.
Rosemary is one of the best herb pairings for lamb, so it comes as no surprise that the combination of rosemary and skewered lamb works exceptionally well. Lamb and other meaty additions like chicken or sausage may be difficult to press the rosemary sprigs through (especially if they're flimsy), but this is easily rectified by making a hole with a wooden skewer first, before poking the rosemary through. Alongside lamb, Jamie Oliver even recommends sticking rosemary through bacon-wrapped prunes for a "gorgeous" skewer that's slightly sweet and deliciously salty. As Oliver writes, "these fragrant kebabs are one of those barbecue recipes you'll keep coming back to again and again."
Other savory hacks for your skewers
If you want to boost your skewers with another savory hack, it's an excellent idea to marinate your ingredients first. Consider using Worcestershire sauce to intensify the rich range of flavors within the meat and add a hint of sweetness and umami. Just combine with a little soy sauce, lemon, olive oil, and seasoning (salt and pepper), then marinate for at least one hour or, if you have the time, overnight.
Alongside this, it's important to select meat that skewers work well with. While cod skewers sound great in theory, their soft, flaky skin will fall apart as soon as they hit the grill (or perhaps even as you skewer them). Make sure you're choosing skewer ingredients that will keep their shape. For seafood, use meaty pieces like monkfish, shrimp, or scallops. If, instead of savory, you're looking to balance this richness with a slightly sweet backdrop, try elevating grilled meat with sugarcane stalks — another great, inventive way to slip some extra flavor onto those skewers. Infusing your kebabs with the aromatic essence of rosemary sprigs is just the beginning of a skewer-revolution. Give it a shot and witness how it enhances the flavor of your meaty kebabs.