The concept of eating foods on sticks was clearly invented by a genius. A quick and tasty meal you can take on the go that requires little to no clean up effort… what’s not to love? Since we’ve already covered how much we love said foods, we thought we’d take this opportunity to focus on the original meal on a stick: the kebab.

Originating in the Eastern Mediterranean, the kebab (also sometimes referred to as ‘kebob’, ‘kabab’, ‘shishkebab’ and other similar names) has become popular around the world (as evidenced by the many different names). Traditionally consisting of bits of lamb roasting on a skewer over a grill or open flame, the kebab has expanded to include a variety of proteins and even vegetables.

Want to try making some tasty kebabs at home? It might seem as simple as poking your skewer into some meat and letting it sizzle, but by following a few simple guidelines, you can take your kebab skills to expert level.

Try these secrets to making the best kebabs ever:

Keep it Tender

When selecting your meat, whether it’s chicken, beef, pork or lamb, be sure to opt for the more tender cuts, as these will produce the juiciest, best-tasting results.

Choose Complementary Ingredients 

When choosing which meats and veggies or fruit to include on your kebabs, think carefully about whether or not their flavors will complement each other (check out a few suggestions below). Of course you can just go with meat or just veggies or even a few chunks of pineapple–it’s really up to you!

Cut Carefully

Cut your meat, vegetables and fruit (or whatever combo you’re using) into uniform-sized pieces for even cooking. Be sure that they’re not too small or you might end up with charred bits.

Marinate with Care

Let the natural deliciousness of your kebab ingredients shine on their own, or try marinating them for a few hours to boost the flavor factor. If you’re using an acidic marinade, be careful not to let it sit for too long because the acid can actually start to break down your ingredients and produce yucky results on the grill. 

Skewer it Right 

Metal skewers are generally a good choice because you know they will stay intact in the most intense of grilling situations, but in their absence, feel free to use wooden skewers. Soak your wooden skewers in water beforehand to prevent them from burning to smithereens on the grill.

Kebab Recipes to Try

Another great thing about kebabs is virtually anyone with any dietary preference can enjoy them! Here are a few recipe suggestions to try, ranging from vegan and vegetarian to meat, meat and more meat. 

• Summer Veggie Kebabs with Fresh Corn Relish
• Marinated Tofu and Broccoli Kebabs
• Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers
• Rosemary and Orange Scallop Kebabs
• Garlic and Cilantro Lamb Kabobs
• Spicy Beef Kebabs
• Turkish-spiced Chicken Kebabs

How do you like your kebabs? Share in the comments or over on Twitter at @luvoinc.