Chicken Kefta On A Stick - Kalí óreksi!

One of my favorite things about cooking is the ability to take you to far away places in just one bite! From Morocco, to Italy, to Greece, to Turkey, to the Middle East, Kefta is a meatball or meatloaf. In the simplest form, Keftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat— beef, lamb or chicken mixed with spices and onions. 

• 1/2 brown onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dill
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup fine couscous
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese

Lightly chop the pine nuts, dice the onion and combine with the garlic and the spices. Saute in a little olive oil in pan until aromatic.

Whisk the egg in a large bowl, add the chicken, herbs and nut mixture and the couscous and mix to combine.

The mixture will be a but sticky but make sausage like shapes. Lay the sausage shapes on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 
Insert a skewer into the centre of the chicken sausage shapes and then grill or pan sear. 

Summer Couscous Pilaf

• 1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous
• 1 heaping cup of firm cucumber, quartered and thinly sliced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup minced fresh dill
• 10 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
• 4 medium firm apricots pitted and diced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
• 1 medium firm avocado, peeled and diced
• 3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 Tbs lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Mixed baby greens
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the couscous and cook at a rapid simmer for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water until the couscous is at room temperature.

In a mixing bowl, combine the couscous with the remaining ingredients except the mixed baby greens and pine nuts. Toss well to combine.

Line a large serving platter with the greens. Mound the couscous salad over them, letting some of the greens show along the edge. Sprinkle the top with the toasted pine nuts. Place the Chicken Kefta Skewers on top and sprinkle with feta cheese. You can also serve the chicken in a pita wrap.

Kalí óreksi!