Chinese-style Grilled Skewers

Ingredients

While the Greek souvlaki traditionally uses Mediterranean herbs and spices, this Chinese adaptation incorporates a unique combination of Chinese seasonings such as soy sauce, ginger, and five-spice powder. The marinade is also enhanced with ingredients like hoisin sauce and rice vinegar to give the skewers a distinct Chinese flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Souvlaki, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken or pork, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken or pork, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 6g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, vegetable oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, five-spice powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken or pork pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Thread the marinated meat onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a small space between each piece.
5. 5.
   Grill the skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken or pork — Ensure that the meat is cut into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking on the skewers.
• Soy sauce — Use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
• Hoisin sauce — Look for gluten-free hoisin sauce if you have a gluten intolerance.

Tips & Tricks

• Soaking the bamboo skewers in water prevents them from burning during grilling.
• Baste the skewers with the marinade while grilling for an extra burst of flavor.
• Serve the skewers with a side of steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete Chinese meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Chinese-style grilled skewers hot off the grill as a main course. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added freshness and texture.

Presentation advice

Arrange the skewers on a platter, placing them in a zigzag pattern for an eye-catching presentation. Serve with a small bowl of extra marinade for dipping.