No matter the cuisine or ingredients, food is an experience.
Sure, it certainly involves your tastebuds as you savor each and every bite. You can identify the different flavors, spices, and seasoning brought together in a harmonious balance. Yet you can also enjoy the various textures and sensations in your mouth.
While most often we may think of enjoying our food with a fork and spoon or with our hands, don’t let the options stop there. Food on a skewer can add to the interactive experience of enjoying food.
When you first think of food on a stick, perhaps your mind brings up images of frozen fruity popsicles or dainty appetizers on toothpicks. As we jump into summer, there are so many unique and intriguing ways to use simple culinary sticks to mix up your menu routine.
With fun flavors and recipes, we’re here to help you get set for summer in this innovative presentation idea using sticks. Next we share some helpful cooking tips when using skewers in the kitchen or on the grill as well as some delicious recipes to try out for yourself.
Cooking with Sticks
From summer fairs to outdoor cookouts, food on sticks can be enjoyed in a variety of places. Yet before you assemble your kebabs or fire up the grill, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind when cooking with sticks.
Soak your Sticks
When used in the oven or on the grill, it’s important to soak your wooden skewer sticks in water for about 20 minutes. The wooden sticks will absorb the water and prevent them from catching on fire in high heat environments or over an open flame like on the grill.
Use Sturdy Sticks
No one likes it when they go in for a bite on their kebab only to have the stick break on them. Make sure to get skewers, toothpicks or other sticks for your food that will stand up when you need them most.
Make Them Your Own
One of the many beautiful things about skewers or other foods on a stick is that they are easy to customize and make your own. Incorporate those flavors and ingredients that you like and leave out what you don’t.
With these simple tips in mind, you’re on your way to whipping up a colorful, vibrant and tasty dish assembled on a stick.
Summer Recipes Perfect for Enjoying on a Stick
While food can be enjoyed on a stick anytime during the year, there’s something about summertime that makes this approach to eating even more enjoyable. Jump into summertime with these delicious skewers and other recipes on a stick.
Antipasto Skewers - Whip up a quick appetizer with just a few key ingredients and a stick. Layer on sliced tomatoes, cucumber, salami, feta and olives and finish it off with a drizzle of Garlic Olive Oil and Sicilian Lemon balsamic.
Chicken Fajita Skewers - Take your favorite fajita flavors and transform them with a skewer. Toss in flavorful and bright ingredients like onion, cilantro, peppers and chicken to create a perfect summer stick. You can even spice things up a bit by marinating your chicken in Chipotle olive oil.
Caesar Chicken Skewers - Take a Caesar salad to a whole new level with this fun and clever skewer recipe. Assemble skewers of chicken pieces. And, also assemble skewers of cubed bread and tomatoes. Toss all skewered and grilled ingredients together with romaine leaves and top with a homemade caesar vinaigrette.
Balsamic Glazed Chicken Skewers - Add some sweet and spice with a marinade that’s perfect for these skewered chicken bites.
Beef and Potato Skewers - Two great things that go well together, now in skewer form. Paired with a rosemary chimichurri, these basic ingredients of beef and potatoes are transformed into a delightful and colorful bite.
Grilled Fruit Skewers - Skewers are an easy way to grill up some cubed fruit, especially small fruits like strawberries, wedged peaches and pineapple. Not only do these skewers look bright and colorful, but they’re also topped off with a sweet Cara Cara Vanilla balsamic drizzle.
Grilled Pork with Pineapple Salsa - Add some color and vibrant flavors to grilled pork skewers, marinated in Jalapeño Lime balsamic, by topping them with a sweet pineapple salsa.
Blackened Salmon Caprese Skewers - Add in some omega-3 power with adding in some salmon in a traditional caprese dish. Topped with our Tuscan Spice Blend, this salmon is something you’ll want to incorporate into all your caprese varieties.
Chicken Meatball Skewers with Ginger Lime Sauce - Add some brightness to a standard meatball recipe with a zesty sauce made with our Ginger & Honey Balsamic.
Enjoy Summer Flavors, on a Stick
Summertime is a great season to explore fresh flavors and vibrant ingredients. With easy access to the grill, it’s also an exciting time to try out new combinations of food on a stick. Add color and diverse textures with flavors that blend harmoniously, all on a single stick. Skewers can be a great outdoor summer feature or something to eat on the go.
Have you tried a new summer skewer idea or do you have a go-to recipe for summertime grilling? Let us know here in the comments or by sharing with us on our social media accounts!