Meat

Middle Eastern Beef Kebabs

Ingredients
1 onion, cubed
Grated zest of 1 lemon
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
4 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp finely chopped fresh time (1/2 tsp dried)
1 tsp chopped fresh mint
1/2 tsp paprika
Dash cayenne
1 lb boneless beef tenderloin, in 1 inch cubes
1 bay leaf
1 onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 red bell pepper, seeded, cut into 8 squares
8 medium mushroom caps
chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Directions
1- Combine first 10 ingredients in a blender or food processor, pureed. Place marinade in a Ziploc bag and add the beef and the bay leaf. Turn to coat and let marinate 1 hour to overnight in the fridge, turning occasionally. Remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking, drain the marinade into a little saucepan and bring to a boil. Keep boiling, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes.

2- Preheat the broiler or the grill. Thread the onion wedges, bell pepper, mushrooms, and beef onto 4 skewers, beginning and ending with the onion wedges. Set the skewers on the broiler or grill rack, keeping the rack 2-3 inches from the heat. Broil about 5 minutes on each side, basting with the marinade when turning. Discard the bay leaf.
Sprinkle the kebabs with the parsley and serve with any remaining marinade on the side.

Per Skewers: Cal 256, Fat 12g, Fib 3g.

Source: Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook, P. 192


Turkish Meatballs

Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked bulgur
1 spray cooking spray
1/2 pound uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1/4 cup scallion(s), sliced
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped, divided
1 tsp minced garlic, divided
1 tsp ground cumin, divided
1/2 tsp table salt, divided
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions
Cook or soak bulgur according to package directions (Put the 1/2 cup bulgur in a bowl that has a lid, add 3/4 cup boiling water or a little less, cover and let sit 30 to 45 minutes); let cool.

Place oven rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 425ºF. Coat baking pan with cooking spray.

Put beef, scallions, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, 1 teaspoon each of garlic and cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, paprika, cinnamon and drained bulgur in a large bowl; combine ingredients with your hands until well-mixed.

Roll meatball mixture into twenty-four 1 1/4-inch balls; place on prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes (keep an eye on them, it took a little more than 12 minutes last time if I remember right).

Yields 2 meatballs per serving.

Source: Adapted from www.weightwatchers.com