Grandpa Nicks Georgia Shashlik Recipes

GEORGIAN SHASHLYK (CAUCASIAN-STYLE SKEWERED LAMB)

Steps:

• Marinade: In a large bowl, beat together the grated onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Add the meat and toss it in the marinade to coat it thoroughly, then allow to marinate at room temperature for at least 3 hours, tossing every hour or so to keep the meat moist.
• Light a layer of coals in a charcoal broiler and burn until a white ash appears on the surface, or preheat your kitchen broiler to its highest point.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and string them on 4 long skewers, pressing them firmly together, alternate the lamb with the chunks of onion.
• Broil 4" from the source of the heat, turning the skewers occasionally, until the meat is done to your taste and the onions are brown.
• For rare allow about 10 minutes; well-done (which is more typical of Georgian cooking) will take about 15.
• Slide the meat off onto individual plates and garnish with scallions and lemon.

RUSSIAN/GEORGIAN PORK SHASHLYK

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly using your hands. The marinade should cover most of the meat. If it doesn't, add more vinegar and pomegranate juice in a 50/50% proportion.
• Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
• Thread pieces of meat onto wooden or metal skewers leaving at least 1/2 inch between the pieces. You can also alternate meat with onion rings, cherry tomatoes or other vegetables if you like.
• Grill for 15-20 minutes over hot ashes or charcoal (a gas grill will also produce acceptable results), turning skewers every five minutes and brushing the top with the marinade after each turn. Test for readiness by cutting through the meat - it must be medium-well to well done, very juicy and not overcooked.
• Serve with sliced tomatoes, peppers, raw onion rings, radishes and whole springs of parsley and cilantro.
• You will end up with a lot of leftover sliced onions from the marinade. It's delicious fried on a pan or grilled and may be served as a side for your shashlyk.

ARMENIAN SHISH KABOB

Steps:

• Stir together olive oil, lemon juice, wine, and garlic; season with salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaf. Toss lamb with marinade until evenly combined, then pour into a resealable plastic bag, and marinate in refrigerator at least 24 hours.
• Position oven rack to its top setting and set oven to broil.
• Remove lamb from marinade and thread onto metal skewers; reserve marinade. Thread onion wedges, green peppers, and mushrooms onto separate metal skewers. Brush vegetables with reserved marinade.
• Broil the skewers on a broiler pan, turning frequently. Cook onions for 12 minutes, lamb for 10 minutes, green pepper for 7 minutes, and the mushrooms for 3 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool until cool enough to handle.
• Remove skewers from ingredients and set aside. Reassemble skewers, alternating lamb, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Place onto broiler pan and brush again with marinade. Discard remaining marinade.
• Broil skewers again to finish cooking, turning frequently until the lamb is medium-rare and the vegetables begin to blacken in spots, 5 to 7 minutes.