Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Kyinkyinga "Chinchinga" kebabs





Chinchinga is an African style kebab that is marinated and rolled in peanut flour. It is very different from anything else I have ever tasted and the peanut flour keeps the meet very moist and juicy.

FOR THE BEEF AND MARINADE:
--- 1/2-2 lb beef sirloin steaks, boneless, cut into 1-inch cubes
--- 1 onion, large, cut into chunks
--- 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into chunks
--- 1 clove garlic, peeled
--- 3 jalapeño Chiles
--- 2 tbs ginger, chopped fresh
--- 1/2 tsp salt
--- 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
--- 1/4 c oil

FOR THE KEBABS:
--- 3 green bell peppers, large, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
--- 1 onion, large, cut inot 1-inch pieces
--- 1 c flour, peanut (see Note)


1. Place the beef in a large baking dish and set it aside while you prepare the marinade.

2. Combine the onion, bell pepper, garlic, chiles, ginger, salt, and pepper in a food processor and finely chop. Add the oil and continue processing to a smooth purée. Add the mixture to the beef and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 2 to 3 hours.

3. Preheat the grill to high.

4. Remove the beef from the marinade and thread it onto the skewers, alternating with pieces of bell pepper and onion. Place the flour on a large plate and roll the kebabs in it so that all sides are generously covered.

5. When ready to cook,
oil the grill grate really well or the kebabs will stick. Arrange the skewers on the hot grate. Grill, turning the kebabs with tongs, until the beef is cooked to taste, 2 to 3 minutes per side (8 to 12 minutes in all), for medium-rare. Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Note: If you don’t have peanut flour, grind 1 1/4 cups dry-roasted peanuts with 1/4 cup all-purpose flour as fine as possible in a food processor, running the machine in short bursts. Take care not to overgrind; peanut flour quickly becomes peanut butter
.

4 comments:

  1. This looks great. I am really loving peanut flavoring in things lately. I hope I can find the peanut flour at the grocery store. I don't want to make peanut butter!

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  2. I think you have the jalapeños on the skewers. our instruction in umber 4 says bell peppers. Or, is it number two that has the jalapeños?

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  3. Those are bell peppers on the skewers, the jalepenos go in the marinade. I just cut the jalepenos in half and scoop out the seeds before adding them to the blender.

    I would not worry to much about finding peanut flour, I had to make peanut flour and it turned out great.

    Overall this is a great dish and it is very healthy as well. just make sure the grill is well lubed with oil or the skewers with stick. You can also cook the skewers in the oven under the broiler, on a cookie sheet. I actually think they turn out better under the broiler.

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  4. After looking at the picture, I am starting to crave chinchinga. It just has such a mellow and wonderful flavor. Looks like I am going to be pulling some steak out of the freezer. I have some steaks from a grass fed cow I bought last year, and I am thinking the earthy flavors of this dish along with the distinct taste of the grass fed beef will go great together.

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