Marinated chicken skewers with beetroot, herbs and yoghurt

for 4 people

Tam West

Food writer and stylist.

Chicken kebabs

8	Bamboo skewers
1	Shallot, finely chopped; or use a small onion
2 cloves	Garlic, crushed
1 cm	Fresh ginger, finely chopped
½ tsp	Ground coriander
½ tsp	Ground cumin
½ cup	Plain unsweetened yoghurt
1 tsp	Ground turmeric
1 pinch	Dried chilli flakes
4 small	Chicken breasts, cut into 3cm pieces (Main)

3 medium	Beetroot, peeled and coarsely grated (Main)
1	Orange, juice only
1 cup	Chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, coriander, mint, chives
4 Tbsp	Sunflower seeds, toasted, optional
1 bowl	Plain unsweetened yoghurt, for serving

Soak wooden skewers in cold water to help prevent burning during cooking.
Pour a dash of oil into a small heavy-based saucepan and add the onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Add the coriander and cumin and cook for a further 30 seconds. Place in a bowl and leave to cool. Mix through the yoghurt, turmeric and chilli flakes, and season with salt. Mix through the chicken pieces, cover and leave to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. If you leave chicken to marinate for longer, you will need to place in the fridge.
Make the beetroot salad: Toss the grated beetroot with the orange juice and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix through the chopped herbs and sunflower seeds, if using, and place in a serving bowl. Cover and set aside.
Preheat a barbecue grill or chargrill until hot.
Thread chicken pieces on the soaked skewers. Rub over a little oil, then place on the hot barbecue or chargrill. Grill for about 5 minutes on each side.
Serve chicken skewers with the beetroot salad and a bowl of yoghurt.