In case you haven't noticed, the sun's out. Who are we kidding, of course you noticed. Well in Britain, that means eating 'fun' food, usually cooked over coals, any time there's a small section of blue sky visible. These Moorish skewers (or pinchos morunos with mojo picón, to give them their real name) are finger-licking BBQ perfection. See the recipe from Tapas Revolution's Omar Allibhoy below.
Tapas Revolution's recipe for Moorish skewers
Here's a recipe for finger-lickin' BBQ perfection from Tapas Revolution's Omar Allibhoy
Serves 4
Preparation time 20 mins
Cooking time 10 mins
Ingredients
- 500g pork fillet (you can also use chicken, beef or lamb,)
- 1 teaspoon hot or sweet pimentón
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- Drizzle of olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the mojo picón
- 1 slice white bread
- 4–5 tablespoons Spanish olive oil, plus extra for frying
- 2 garlic cloves
- 5 dried cayenne chillies
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon sweet pimentón
- 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
- Salt
Method
- Trim the pork fillet of any excess fat and then cut into 2cm cubes. Place the meat in a large mixing bowl and add the pimentón, cumin, some black pepper, oregano, thyme and garlic. Mix well, drizzle over the olive oil and leave to marinate for at least an hour (but up to two days is fine).
- Meanwhile, make the mojo picón. Start by frying the bread in a little olive oil, drain on kitchen paper and tear into pieces. Using a pestle and mortar, mash together the garlic, cayenne chillies, cumin seeds, pimentón, fried bread, vinegar and salt until you have a smooth paste. You could also use a food processor for this bit. Start adding the olive oil in a thin drizzle while you are still mixing.
- When you are ready to cook the pinchos, thread the meat on to skewers (if you are using wooden skewers it’s a good idea to soak them in water for 30 minutes to stop them burning). Pinchos morunos can be cooked over charcoal (the best way, in my opinion), under a hot grill or in a griddle pan over a very high heat. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side – you want them to be cooked through but still juicy on the inside. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the mojo picón.
- If you want to make these with chicken, use the thigh. If you are using beef use the skirt or flank and if you want to make lamb skewers use the leg.
Recipe taken from Tapas Revolution by Omar Allibhoy (Ebury Press, £20); tapasrevolution.com
Omar is supporting Cancer Research UK's BBQ fundraiser this July. Visit cruk.org/BBQ for more information.
Omar is supporting Cancer Research UK's BBQ fundraiser this July. Visit cruk.org/BBQ for more information.
