Recipe for Mediterranean-Style Kabobs with a Citrus Twist

Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef KebabsWhen families fire up their grills and turn to favorite summer recipes for filling meals, nutritional considerations are often not the focus. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. This year, you can rethink traditional seasonal menus by opting for main courses that offer healthier returns by incorporating ingredients like whole oranges, which provide a multitude of nutritional benefits.

Adding an ingredient like California Valencia oranges to your family’s dishes means you’re including a rich source of vitamin C (70 percent of the daily value) and an excellent source of folate (20 percent of the daily value) in your seasonal spread. As a balance of sweet and tart, the extra juicy oranges reach their peak in summer, making them perfect for warm-weather recipes, juicing or as portable snacks to take along on adventures.

Plus, their anti-inflammatory benefits help support the body, especially as outdoor activities increase in the warm weather. The potassium found in oranges also helps support cell function, healthy blood pressure levels, bone health and hydration.

When it comes to meal planning, oranges are a highly versatile fruit that can be added to both sweet and savory dishes, as well as beverages, cocktails, sauces, frozen desserts, smoothies and more. To introduce a depth of flavor and burst of nutrition to dishes, add a sprinkle of zest, segments or fresh-squeezed juice or even grill the fruit to bring out the flavor.

Try combining them with tastes of the Mediterranean for dinner with Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs — infuse fresh flavor into family favorites. Visit CaliforniaCitrusGrowers.com for more information on California oranges.


Orange and Harissa Glazed Beef Kebabs

Prep time: 2 hours
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup California Valencia orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 California Valencia oranges, zested and segmented
  • 2 tablespoons harissa paste
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces beef tenderloin, cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch squares
  • 1 red onion, cut into 2-inch squares
  • 16 broccoli florets, raw
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Cooked couscous
  • Mandarin chutney

Instructions:

In mixing bowl, combine orange juice and zest, harissa, honey, oil, mint and garlic; mix well.

Add beef cubes and toss to coat; marinate 2 hours in refrigerator.

Using long skewers, build kebabs, alternating beef, peppers, onions and broccoli on each.

Heat grill to medium-high heat.

Season kebabs with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until vegetables are cooked through and beef reaches desired doneness.

Serve over bed of couscous and top with mandarin chutney.