When in doubt, make a kebab. When I have no idea what to make for guests or don't want chicken or steak on the grill, I "kebab it"!

These days, you can throw anything on a skewer and call it a kebab, but the tried and true authentic Middle Eastern kebabs are the ones that really hit the spot. These are the kebabs that your guests will "ooh and ahh" over and beg you for your marinade recipe.

Vegetarian? No problem. Seasoned and even marinated vegetables threaded on a skewer are easy to make and so filling! Serve over a bed of rice or with some hummus, baba ghannouj, or even a cucumber-yogurt sauce for dipping.

In Cynthia Rowley's book "Swell Party" she talks about kebab bars, where lots of fresh veggies and meats are presented for the guests to make their own. Afterall, one may not like the veggies you have assembled. While this is a fantastic idea, it is not new. My family has been doing it for years. Offer a variety of veggies and meats like lamb, chicken and beef and have them created their own. You, as the host, do the grilling, of course!

Middle Eastern Kebab Recipes

• Beef Shish Kebab
  
• Spicy Lamb Kebab
  
• Shrimp Kebab
  
• Samak Kebab
  
• Chicken Kebab