Best Chicken Kabob Marinade

Yesterday I had the best chicken kabob ever! It was tender, full of flavor and it was extremely easy to make (always a huge plus in my household). Although you do need a couple of special ingredients to replicate it, this recipe is a super easy, healthy dinner variation for kids and adults. It goes great with salads and almost any side dish. Did I mention that it doesn’t taste like any other grilled chicken you had this summer?
I have to say that I have borrowed this recipe from my friend’s mom when she made these kabobs for occasional summer gathering. I fell in love at the first bite!

To make 10 skewers of chicken kabobs you will need:

2 lbs of Amish boneless skinless chicken breast
4 medium size garlic cloves
1 bunch or so of chopped fresh cilantro (the more the better)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice*
1/2 cup olive oil (I used regular olive oil)
Kosher salt, seasoned salt and fresh grounded pepper to taste
1 tsp paprika
1 to 2 tbs sumac powder (this is a spice that is used in Arabic cuisine. If you ever had Fattoush salad it is that dark purple/red powder that gives this salad a distinct flavor. It is a must have ingredient in this recipe and you can buy it in any Middle-Eastern market or just ask a friend to share - that’s what I did ;)

In a large Tupperware or a bowl combine cubed chicken breast, crushed garlic (you can mince it but I prefer to use a garlic press), chopped cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings. Stir the mixture well and let it sit in a refrigerator for at least 4 to 5 hrs. (this pictures was taken before I added seasoning)
I usually start to marinate my meat in the morning to make sure it is ready to go on the grill around dinner time. DO NOT forget to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least one hour before they go on a hot grill.

Cooking time:
Preheat grill to high heat. Place kabobs on the grill and reduce heat to medium. Cook 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Or just ask your husband to cook them - that’s what I did ;)

*Hint: I have been making lots of fresh lemonade this summer and I have noticed that it is easier to store your lemons in a form of a lemon juice. Fresh bags of lemons never fit in my refrigerator and they usually have to hang around until one or even more lemons go bad. Now I juice two or three bags at once and store my lemons this way. With all this hot weather it runs out rather quickly: making lemonade for kids, lemon drop cocktails for parents, making marinades and even fingernail soaks.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my whole family did!

Till next time,
Liana.

Healthy Tip - 10 Foods That Are Healthier Than You Think

This is taken from the article that you can find at Healthy Eats. I wanted to add my personal touch to it and here is what I got:
1. Avocado
So it may seem weird for a fruit (yes, avocados are fruits) to contain fat, but avocados are one of the few produce items that do. Their heart-protecting monounsaturated fats are actually one of the things that make them so healthy. Eating these green guys can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke — so have some of that guacamole!
In my house we like to make super easy sandwiches of fresh Italian bread, few slices of ripe avocados, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and slice of our favorite cheese. Yum!
2. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Thanks to the iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomato sauce and energy-producing carbs from the pasta, this dish a healthy trifecta. If you stick to modest portions and lean beef, you can enjoy its benefits without overdoing it. Limit yourself to three ounces of meat and a cup of cooked pasta per serving.
My extremely easy version of this dish is pasta with meat sauce! It is a crowd pleaser, my daughter would eat this any day and my one year old LOVES to smudge it all over his tray and his face... and sometimes hair. What you'll need: 1 box of spaghetti, 1 lb organic ground sirloin, 1 jar of RAOS Homemade Southern Italian Pasta Sauce with Italian peppers and mushrooms (it is absolutely my favorite brand, you can find it in health food market and sometimes in a regular grocery store for $8 or so for regular size jar). Boil your spaghetti, brown your ground beef on non-stick pan (no oil or spices required), add pasta sauce to the pan with browned ground beef, cover and simmer for 15 minutes on medium heat. BAM! Serve meat sauce over pasta.
3. Bananas
Often bashed for their high sugar and carb content, bananas are a ridiculously healthy fruit that everyone can enjoy. A small banana has the same calories, carbs and fiber as an apple. They also come packed with vitamins C and B6 and good-for-your-heart potassium.
My family is BANANAS over these happy yellow guys. Easy, not messy (big plus for mommies) and super healthy snack! Bananas are perfect over your favorite ice-cream or mixed in a plain yogurt.
4. Peanut Butter
I always hear “peanut butter is fattening!” Sure, it contains fat, but 30% of your daily calories should come from healthy fats, so why not add peanut butter in as an option? The nutty spread is also a great way to get protein, fiber and vitamin E. The same goes for whole peanuts or nuts such as almonds and walnuts — they’re a great way to get your daily dose of healthy fats.
YES! Love this stuff. When I first came to United States (11 years ago) I couldn't stand peanut butter, I just didn't get it. Now I can eat it with a spoon or (another one of my favorites) celery dipped in peanut butter! Try it, you'll love it! For extra fun try adding raisins on top and you get "ants on a log" for kids!
5. Eggs
Eggs do contain some cholesterol, but that doesn’t mean they’re a total no-no. According to the American Egg Board, healthy individuals can eat up to two eggs per day without significantly affecting blood cholesterol levels. Eggs are also full of vitamins A, D and the antioxidant lutein. Don’t skip the yolks; there’s just as much protein there as in the whites.
You can eat eggs in so many was but my new favorite is this one, I have stumbled upon it some time ago and would love to give it a try. It looks delicious! I can almost taste it!

Do you have any favorite snacks or dishes made with these yummy foods that you could share with me?

P.S. if you have missed our previous healthy tips you can find them here:
Clean Truth about Antibacterial Soap
10 Foods that are healthier than you think
Healthy Nails Tips
Healthy Hair Tips
When to buy Organic and when it's ok not to
Benefits of Green Tea
Beauty Sleep
Fish Oil or Omega 3 & 6
How to add years to your life