Cooking for Friends: Beef and Chicken Kabobs with Three Dipping Sauces

Last Saturday, I invited some of my closest friends over for dinner and pre-dancing drinks.  My goal was to be creative and to stay away from the more traditional group foods like lasagna and pizza.  I also wanted to give my friends the opportunity to personalize their dish as much as possible (it's probably important to note that I'm a big fan of food personalization...so, bring it on!).  And so began my quest to offer a variety of flavors and options...

The focus of this post is the three dipping sauces that accompanied the beef and chicken kabobs, roasted peppers, and brown rice.  And, of course, the fresh bread.

In the photo above, the dipping sauces from left to right is a tomato-ginger chutney, a feta/herb sauce, and a lime/cilantro creme.  And below, a complete plate of food...

Tomato-Ginger Chutney
2 yellow onions, finely chopped
6 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tsp ginger (about 1.5 inches), chopped
1 28oz can roasted whole tomatoes
2 tbsp red chili paste (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 cilantro, chopped

Heat a saucepan over low-medium heat and saute onions until translucent, about 8 minutes.  Add the onion and garlic and saute for an additional two minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, crushing them in your hands prior to placing in the dish.  Add the chili paste and cumin and simmer the mixture over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.

Next, pour the entire mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth.  Serve warm.


Feta Herb Sauce
10oz greek yogurt
3oz olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
4oz feta cheese
1/2 cup mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped
1 garlic clove, pushed through a press
salt and pepper to taste

Wisk yogurt, olive oil, and lemon together.  Mix in the rest of the ingredients.


Cilantro Lime Creme Sauce
8oz sour creme
1 lime, juice
3 cloves garlic, pushed through a press
1/2 cilantro, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and serve cold.


I'd also like to give a shout out to my dear friends:

...for helping clean up...

...and for ensuring we have great music!