Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The If-I-Have-To Gift

Has there ever been a time when you were obligated to give someone a gift, even though you had absolutely no desire to give anything to that person? Perhaps it was a wedding gift to Mr. & Mrs. Soontobedivorced. Or maybe it was a graduation present for your nephew – the newest Ph.D. in the field of liberal arts... Well whoever the gift was for, you had no desire to spend the time or money searching for a real present to give, and that's just fine. In fact, today I will offer you a few gift suggestions that take absolutely no thought and very little (if any) money, so that the next time such a situation rolls around, you'll be prepared to grudgingly, gift away.

  • Take a couple of pinecones and spray paint them silver.  Nothing says, “I couldn't have cared less about this gift” than a couple of fake silver pinecone...

  • A “pet” tortoise that you found along the side of the road while driving to the gift-worthy occasion.

  • A pack of batteries, size C (because those are the most useful, now aren't they?)

  • A “sexy” wall poster of Christopher Walken... (That ought to be in the bargain bin...)

  • And if all else fails, do what the dentist does and hand out a new toothbrush and some floss because that really is the gift that keeps on giving.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The After Party


Did Hurricane Irene knock down the trees in your front yard? Are you still without power after yesterday's storm? Is your basement now an indoor swimming pool complete with a dirty laundry island and decorative sump pump water feature? Well if so, it sounds like you need to throw an after party. Not only will it be a fun break from your post-hurricane cleanup, but you might also be able to convince some of your party guests to help pitch in and bail out the basement...

And so today I'll offer you a few of my favorite post-hurricane party ideas. They might sound a little crazy, but they sure are fun.

  • If your street is flooded, now is as good a time as every to host a regatta. So bail out your canoes, your kayaks, and even that giant pumpkin you have growing in the backyard, and challenge your friends and neighbors to a friendly speed race down the watery block and back.

  • Bon fires are always a good time. So start chopping up that tree that fell down in the front yard and light her up. In no time, you and your friends will be toasting marshmallows, singing songs, and perhaps even roasting a pig or two over your very warm and comforting bon fire.

  • Since your basement is flooded, why not host a pool party? Inflate a few inner tubes, throw some water noodles down there, and let the kids go crazy. And to keep the big kids entertained, hire your sexiest neighbor to play lifeguard...

  • And if all else fails, dig out that camp stove, that cast-iron skillet, and that 10-pound crate of bacon, and host your neighborhood's first bacon tasting block party. After all, nothing makes all your troubles fade away faster than a big ol' plate of bacon...

Monday, August 29, 2011

Irene's Party


Hurricanes are the perfect opportunity to throw an impromptu party. I mean – what else are you going to do? Sit alone in the dark and binge on all the foods that are spoiling in your electricity-less fridge? No... that's just depressing. Instead, why not invite a few people over (tell them to bring sleeping bags - just in case they get stuck at your house), and throw a party? And if you're not quite sure what kind of party is appropriate to host during a hurricane, allow me to provide you with a few party theme suggestions:

  • Game Night is a great hurricane day party idea. You don't really need electricity to play most board or card games. And, the high wind speeds and pounding rain can really make that outdoor game of Jenga really challenging...

  • Movie Night is also a great theme for a rainy hurricane day. Just be certain that the movies you choose to watch are some that you have already seen many times before. That way when the power goes out, Movie Night can be quickly transformed into Reenact Your Favorite Movie Night.

  • Fishbowl parties are also a lot of fun during a hurricane. Never heard of a fishbowl party? It's really quite simple to host one. All you need to do is go to your local pet supply store and purchase one glass fishbowl for each of your guests. Then, stop by the liquor store and purchase an assortment of alcohols, fruit juices, and bendy straws. When the hurricane hits, combine all of the above, hand a fishbowl to each guest, and enjoy the storm...

  • And if you are ordered to evacuate your house during the storm, why not host an impromptu obstacle course – themed party? Because let's be honest here – if you're evacuating during the storm, chances are there are plenty of downed trees to jump, flooded roads to swim, and ropes suspended from helicopters to climb... So why not take the credit for the best obstacle course

Friday, August 26, 2011

Panfried Cajun Catfish with Lemon Aioli


PANFRIED CAJUN CATFISH WITH LEMON AIOLI

Catfish has always been one of my favorites. And today, I'll share with you my recipe for Panfried Cajun Catfish with Lemon Aioli. It's simple... It's delicious... And perhaps best of all - it's a meal that you can prepare in under 15 minutes.

Serves 4

½
cup buttermilk
3
tablespoons Creole mustard
4
skinless catfish fillets (6 to 8 ounces each)
¼
cup yellow cornmeal
2
tablespoons paprika
2
tablespoons onion powder
2
tablespoons garlic powder
1
teaspoon ground thyme
1
teaspoon dried oregano
½
teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼
cup olive oil
1
cup prepared mayonnaise
2
tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1
clove garlic, peeled and finely minced

In a nonreactive container, whisk together the buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of the mustard. Add the catfish fillets and cover. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes.


In a shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and Cayenne. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Remove the catfish from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off the fish. Dredge the fish in the seasoned cornmeal, being sure to coat the fillets in a light layer of cornmeal.


Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Arrange the fish in the skillet and cook until golden brown and firm to the touch, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to serving plates and season with salt and black pepper.


Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, stir the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic together with the remaining 2 tablespoons of mustard. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the catfish.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Pizza Toppings 101


Are you tired of the same old boring pizza toppings? Pepperoni... Sausage... Anchovy... It's all been done before. So why not try something new? Today, I've compiled a list of some nontraditional pizza toppings that are anything but ordinary. Enjoy!

  • Crumbled bacon and a couple of fried eggs
  • Crushed up potato chips
  • Taco filling (this is great because you can roll the taco filling up in the pizza like a burrito)
  • Sliced hotdogs with relish or sauerkraut
  • Deep-fried mozzarella sticks
  • French fries or tater tots
  • Fish sticks or chicken nuggets
  • Nachos and cheese
  • Chili drained of excess liquid
  • Boneless Buffalo wings with ranch dressing

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Waiting for Service


Has this ever happened to you? You're stuck sitting in a garage, waiting for your vehicle to be serviced. And the only thing that you can find to do is to reread that three-year-old copy of “Guns and Ammo” magazine that's sitting on the coffee table or hold a staring competition with that tail-wagging, cat-shaped clock hanging on the wall... Well if this ever has happened to you, don't worry. Below I have a few suggestions for fun activities that will keep you occupied while you're waiting for that oil change.

  • Borrow some spent spark plugs from the mechanics and stack them like dominoes. By the time they finish with your car, you should have a pretty impressive display to topple.

  • Play a game of “Name That Smell” with the guy sitting next to you. Unless of course, the man sitting next to you sucks septic systems for a living. In which case, it is probably best to avoid commenting on any smells and simply sit outside in the fresh air...

  • Purchase an egg salad sandwich out of the nearby vending machine. Roll the sandwich up into a ball and bounce it against the wall.

  • And if all else fails, change the channel on that waiting room TV to Oprah's new network, and then turn up the volume. You'd be amazed how much faster the mechanics will work when finishing your car means they can kick you out of the waiting room and change the channel back to “Sons of Guns.”

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Some of My Favorites...


After spending three weeks in a hot kitchen preparing all the food for my brother's wedding, I must admit that I'm feeling a little exhausted at the moment. (Well, I suppose that's an exaggeration – I'm actually feeling a lot exhausted...) So in the interest of saving time and getting back to bed, I shall keep this blog entry brief. Here are some of my favorite cooking tips for successful entertaining:

  • Never invite Chuck Norris and a group of ninjas to the same party.

  • Never feed a bird uncooked rice. Unless, it's that annoying Woody Woodpecker – Ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Poof!

  • Be careful who you serve jalapeno poppers to. The extreme heat of the jalapenos has been known to make zits, irritable bowels, and pregnant women pop.

  • Don't have fresh herbs to garnish your dinner plates? Pine-scented, tree-shaped air fresheners are not an appropriate substitute.

  • Find a hair in your food? Be certain that it isn't your own toupee before complaining to the waiter.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry


BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR-FRY

If you're looking for a quick-to-prepare dinnertime idea, try this recipe for Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry. It takes less than 15 minutes to make and is a meal the entire family is sure to enjoy.

Serves 4

¼
cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1
tablespoon cornstarch
2
tablespoons soy sauce
1
tablespoon honey
1
tablespoon rice wine vinegar
4
cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced
1
teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely minced
¼
teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1
tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
pounds flank steak, cut diagonally across the grain into ½-inch strips

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1
small yellow onion, peeled and sliced
1
head broccoli, trimmed, florets and stalks cut into bite-sized pieces
1
cup homemade beef stock, or low-sodium canned beef broth
¼
cup sliced almonds, toasted
12
ounces soba noodles, cooked and drained



In a mixing bowl, whisk together the orange juice and cornstarch until well combined. Stir in the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.  



Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Add the beef to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper. Sear, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.


Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in the skillet. Toss in the onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the broccoli and beef stock. Cover the skillet and simmer until the broccoli is tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the reserved orange juice mixture, and simmer until thickened. Return the beef, as well as any accumulated juices, to the skillet and heat through. Remove from the heat and garnish with a sprinkling of the toasted almonds. Serve with the cooked soba noodles.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Wedding Planning, Part XV

Weddings are a time of celebration. And celebrations are a time for alcohol. But let's be honest here – alcohol is expensive. (Not to mention, it can lead to awkwardly embarrassing wedding toasts and fist fights with ficus trees...) So if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to a full open-bar, try one of the options listed below.

  • Register for wedding gifts at your local liquor store - that way your wedding guests bring the alcohol for you!

  • Write BYOB on the invitations – that way you can have both alcohol and wedding gifts!

  • Host a hillbilly-themed wedding – moonshine is dirt cheap...

  • Hold your reception at a local bar during happy hour – at least the drinks will be half-priced then...

  • Invite a frat house to attend your reception – frat boys are great at throwing cheap keggers.

Well, I have a wedding to attend to this week. So this will be my only blog entry this week. Come back next week for more entertaining tips, techniques, and silliness.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Jerk Chicken with Citrus Glaze


JERK CHICKEN WITH CITRUS GLAZE

Jerk spice is a spice rub commonly used in Jamaican cuisine. And this recipe for Jerk Chicken with Citrus Glaze is a delicious and somewhat spicy summertime favorite.

Serves 4

½
cup orange marmalade, melted
2
tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
1
tablespoon honey
1
scallion, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish

Canola oil, for greasing
1
whole chicken (3- to 3½-pounds), rinsed and patted dry
2
tablespoons light-brown sugar, firmly packed
2
tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1
tablespoon onion powder
1
tablespoon garlic powder
2
teaspoons dried thyme
teaspoons ground coriander
1
teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the marmalade, lime juice, honey, and scallion. Set aside.


Preheat the grill to medium-low and grease the grate with a little oil. Holding the chicken breast-side-down, use a pair of kitchen shears to cut down both sides of the backbone and remove it. Flip the chicken over and firmly press on the breastbone to flatten the chicken.


In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, pumpkin pie spice, onion and garlic powders, thyme, coriander, and Cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper.


Place the chicken on the preheated grill, skin-side-down. Allow the chicken to cook until the skin is crispy and deeply browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Then, turn the chicken and brush with some of the reserved marmalade glaze. Continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bone, registers 165°F, about 12 to 15 minutes more. Glaze the chicken again and remove from the grill. Carve into quarters and serve with a garnishing of lime wedges and chopped scallions.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Thursday Doldrums

Is your Thursday getting you down? Are you counting down the hours until the weekend? Is the thought of working another day this week so exhausting that you just want to curl up in bed and sleep until Saturday? Well if so, I have a few suggestions listed below that should help you get through the rest of your work week without going postal.

  • Start an office rumor that will keep you entertained until Friday afternoon. For example: “You heard about Stacy from accounting, right? With John from HR? On the photocopier... With the two staplers and the toner cartridge?”

  • It's not exactly appropriate to drink at the office. But that's no reason not to break out the blender and make some virgin daiquiris. You'd be amazed how much a couple of strawberry daiquiris will brighten your day. Plus, the sound of the running blender should help drown out the annoying chatter of your cubicle-mate.

  • Grab you cellphone and head to the elevator. Then, once everyone else has gotten off the elevator, hit the STOP button and “get stuck” in the elevator. While the work crews work to get you out of there, you can enjoy some quiet time playing solitaire on your cellphone and texting your friends.

  • Order one of those giant submarine sandwiches and having it delivered to the conference room. Let's be honest here – once a huge sandwich like that arrives at your office, an impromptu office party will inevitably start and work will end for the rest of the day.

  • And if all else fails, start coughing now so that people will believe you when you call in sick tomorrow morning...

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Entertaining VIPs

Is your boss coming for dinner tonight? Are the Australian ambassador and his wife visiting for the weekend? Has Charlie Sheen dropped by for a 6-hour rant? Well if so, you might be a little concerned. Let's be honest here, such VIPs are expecting to be treated in a certain manner. And if you don't accommodate their needs, they might just leave. (Which in the case of Charlie Sheen, might not necessarily be a bad thing...) So in the interest of keeping your guests happy, I have compiled a few key tips for entertaining VIPs.

  • Purchase one bottle of every brand of bottled water available. Then, dump out all the water and refill the bottles from your tap. That way your VIP guests can still select their favorite brand of bottled water, and they won't know when you just refill their empty bottles instead of buying more bottled water.

  • Don't go overboard with food. These are rich people – if they want a six-course gourmet meal with wine and gold leaf garnish, they should stop being such tightwads and spend some of their money in a restaurant and not mooch off of you...

  • Forget about the chocolates on the pillow. Aside from the fact that chocolate contains caffeine (which will keep you awake), the chocolates on the pillow have become quite cliche. So instead of chocolates, place those miniature bottles of vodka (like you get on airplanes). It's a special treat that will also help the VIPs sleep.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Some Favorite Kitchen Tips

With little time to write today, I shall leave you with a few of my favorite kitchen tips. Use them in good health.

  • Always wear clothing when deep-fat frying

  • If anyone ever invites you to a Hannibal Lecter-themed barbecue – RUN AWAY!

  • Never cry over spilled milk – just be glad you didn't spill the Kahlua too...

  • If you are a male and someone offers you a nutcracker, be certain that person is offering you a kitchen gadget.

  • Never double-date with your ex-wife/ex-husband. Unless of course, you're both dating your divorce attorneys... 

Monday, August 8, 2011

Wedding Planning, Part XIV

I don't mean to alarm you, but there are A LOT of things that could go wrong during your wedding day. Let's be honest here – a wedding involves many components working together in harmony. And if one of those components happens to fall out of whack, it could cause a cascade reaction with everything (and everyone) coming unglued at the seams.

But don't worry. Most wedding day problems can be easily fixed if caught early enough. And today, I will provide you with a list of items to purchase and keep on hand in the event of a wedding day catastrophe. I call it my wedding day “Oh $#*! Kit.” Use it as necessary to insure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch.

The “Oh $#*! Kit”

  • Lots of white ribbon in various widths – nothing covers up stains, splotches, and spittle quite like giant white bows
  • A small brown paper bag to breath into and some Valium – should you need to calm down
  • Giant cue cards that read “I Do” - in case someone forgets his/her line
  • Antihistamines – in the event the bride discovers she's allergic to crab and her face swells up
  • Beer, ketchup, and toilet paper – because you never want to run out of beer, ketchup, and toilet paper
  • A massaging foot bath and shotgun – in the event someone gets cold feet
  • Whiskey – to keep crazy Uncle Larry quiet
  • Duct tape and Super Glue – to make things stick
  • Butter-Flavored Pam and WD-40 – to make things go
  • A greased-up piglet – to keep the children entertained
  • A get-away car – in the event that you and the groom/bride decide to elope to Vegas instead
  • And a dossier on all of your more out-spoken guests – in case one of them decides to object to the wedding and you need to blackmail them into silence...

With this kit, you should be able to avoid most wedding day problems. Good luck!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Fried Calamari with Fresh Marinara

FRIED CALAMARI WITH FRESH MARINARA

This recipe for Fried Calamari with Fresh Marinara, is about as easy as it gets. Taking only minutes to prepare, this is a delicious recipe that you can serve up any night of the week.

Serves 2 to 4

1
pound vine-ripened plum tomatoes, cored, seeds removed, and chopped
1
clove garlic, peeled and smashed
¼
cup fresh basil leaves, torn
¼
cup double-concentrated tomato paste
¼
cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼
teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Peanut oil, for frying
½
cup all-purpose flour
½
cup yellow cornmeal
½
teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1
pound squid, cleaned, tubes and tentacles cut into bite-sized pieces

In a blender, combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, tomato paste, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Pulse, scraping the sides of the blender as needed, until the mixture is a smooth purée. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Set the Fresh Marinara Sauce aside.

In a large stockpot, heat the peanut oil until it registers 375ºF on a deep-frying thermometer. Meanwhile, in a shallow baking dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, and Cayenne pepper. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper, and stir to combine well. Dredge the prepared squid in the flour mixture, being sure to coat all sides of the squid in a light coating of the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour and set aside.

Working in batches, fry the squid in the hot peanut oil until golden brown and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Then, with a slotted spoon, remove the fried squid from the oil and transfer to a wire rack to drain of excess oil. Sprinkle the Fried Calamari with additional salt and black pepper. Serve with the reserved Fresh Marinara Sauce.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Happy National Admit Your Happy Month everybody! Why do we need an entire month devoted to admitting your happy, you might ask? I dunno... But I suppose the real question is – why do we need any holiday to admit that we're happy? I'm pretty sure that every school-aged child knows that “if you're happy and you know it” you should just “clap your hands.” But if you're not the sort who admits to your own happiness (or are incapable of clapping for some reason), this month is a great opportunity to fess up.

And in the event that you can't think of anything to be happy about, below you will find a couple of things that you can feel good about. So get into the spirit of things and BE HAPPY!

Happy Thoughts

  • We live in a world that has toilet paper.

  • Bacon – no further explanation needed because if bacon doesn't make you happy, nothing ever will.

  • Chocolate is now considered healthy for you.

  • If it's raining, it means it's not snowing...

  • And finally, when you stand on your head, all the wrinkles vanish.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wedding Planning, Part XIII

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges when planning a wedding is getting the groom involved. Of course, let's be honest here, most of the wedding planning work is made much easier by the groom's absence. But in some cases he absolutely must be involved, such as renting a tuxedo... selecting a best man... and taste testing the beer, wine, and other spirits that will be served during the reception. So if you are finding it particularly difficult to get the groom involved in the wedding planning process, then try motivating him with some of the suggestions listed below.

First, try to bride him. Now in this particular case, I doubt bribing him with money will get you very far. (Unless of course, you're marrying Ebenezer Scrooge...) But if you can identify something else that he wants and bribe him with that, it should be a great motivator. For example, most brides put their grooms on a fairly strict pre-wedding diet of spinach salads, pitifully petite chicken breasts, and glasses of club soda with lime which are then falsely advertised as some sort of dessert. So if you are a bride who put your groom on such a diet, consider bribing him with potato chips and diet soda. He'll get to eat normally again, and you'll get a groom who is motivated to go tuxedo shopping.

Second, offer to move the wedding date back to accommodate for his procrastination. Of course, you're not actually going to move the wedding date. That's a lot of extra work and frustration. No, the purpose of making this offer is the scare your groom into becoming involved. Let's be honest here – your groom is already sick and tired of talking about wedding plans. And the very thought of pushing the wedding date back and having to listen to yet another month or two of wedding planning talk should scare your groom into getting involved now to save himself the agony later.

And finally third, trick him into getting involved. You remember when you were a child and your parents told you to jump into the car because they were taking you to Disney World, only to find out that “Disney World” was code for the dentist? Well, if your groom refuses to become involved, then trick him into it. It might surprise you just how many grooms never realize that “We're going to wing-night at Hooters” actually means “We're going wedding ring shopping at Kay.”

I hope these tips have helped. And until next week I wish you good luck in all your wedding planning!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Back to Work

After a week of vacation, it can sometimes be quite difficult to get back to work. Let's be honest here - we'd all rather be basking in the warming sunlight on some sandy beach, rather than laboring under the flickering fluorescents in some cramped office. So if you're finding it difficult to get back into office work mode, try one of the tips provided below. They might seem a little silly at first, but they should help make that first day back at the office a little more enjoyable.

  • Purchase one of those inflatable kiddie pools and bring it to the office. Then, when it's time for your break, skip the water cooler and go swimming (or at the very least splashing) instead. Not only will this provide for a bit of fun and relaxation, but it will also be an opportunity to show off your skimpy new swim suit to Janice in accounting...

  • It would most likely be inappropriate to drink any sort of umbrellaed cocktail at the office. But that doesn't mean you can't put those little cocktail umbrellas in all your other drinks! Coffee... soda... water... even chicken noodle soup can all be made much more festive with a simple cocktail umbrella.

  • Bring a reclining lawn chair to the office. You would be amazed how relaxing a day at the office can be when you're working from your new office lawn chair...

  • Forget about that big presentation and show a vacation picture slideshow instead. Sure nobody actually likes to look at other people's vacation photos... But when the alternative is a 60-minute presentation on the latest advancements in chopstick manufacturing, I think most people would prefer to see your vacation photos.

  • And lastly, if all else fails, call in sick and enjoy one final day off before returning to work - tomorrow.

I hope these tips help. And enjoy your first week back to work!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Pineapple-Pork Kebabs

PINEAPPLE-PORK KEBABS

Kebabs are a simple and quick-to-prepare summertime meal. And this recipe for Pineapple-Pork Kebabs is so delicious, it's sure to become one of your family's favorites.

Serves 4

¾
cup pineapple juice
¼
cup honey
1
tablespoon soy sauce
1
scallion, thinly sliced
1
tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
4
cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1
teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
¼
teaspoon crush red pepper flakes

Canola oil, for greasing
1
pork tenderloin (about 1½-pounds), trimmed and cut into 1½-inch cubes
1
medium pineapple, trimmed, peeled and cut into 1½-inch cubes
2
bell peppers, trimmed, seeds removed and cut into 1½-inch pieces

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Lime wedges, for garnish

In a mixing bowl, combine the pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce, scallion, cilantro, garlic, ginger, and crush red pepper flakes. Whisk until well combined. Set aside.

Preheat the grill to medium-high and grease the grate with a little canola oil. Arrange the cubes of pork, pineapple, and bell pepper on long skewers. Season the kebabs with salt and black pepper. Place the kebabs on the preheated grill and brush with some of the reserved pineapple sauce.

Continue to grill, turning the kebabs and basting them with some of the pineapple sauce every few minutes, until the pork is cooked through and the peppers are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the kebabs from the heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the finished kebabs with freshly chopped cilantro, and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired. Arrange the kebabs on a serving platter and garnish with lime wedges.