Skewer

Char Siew This succulent meat is traditionally cooked hanging on hooks inside a smoking barbecue oven. This easier and faster method cooks the pork on a charcoal grill. Char siew can be sliced and used as a garnish over rice or noodles, or stir-fried with vegetables.

The soy-based sauce for these kebabs draws its various intensely flavored ingredients-cilantro, garlic, ginger and chilies-from the equatorial hot zone, where weather and food alike are fiery.

Serve with rice for an easy party dish.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Orzo (a rice-shaped pasta also known as riso) can be mixed with diced summer squash, olives and red bell pepper to make a colorful bed for the lamb skewers. Toss some shredded romaine and red cabbage with an oil and vinegar dressing to serve alongside, and end the Mediterranean-style meal with honey cake from the bakery.

Traditionally, kebabs are made of lamb or mutton, but beef, veal and even pork tenderloin are delicious cooked in this manner. Here are several versions, adaptable to any kind of meat.

Try these as appetizers, as a salad (on a bed of greens) or as a light dessert.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Cooks wanting to prepare these kebabs in advance may let them marinate for up to 4 hours. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Inspired by Middle Eastern cooking.

Offer your favorite corn bread along with the kebabs and salads.

Serve these atop rice, and offer cherry tomatoes tossed with ranch dressing on the side. Purchased peach tarts wrap it up.

Serve the kebabs with some rice to round out the meal.

There's something for everyone in this traditional specialty. Don't forget to soak the bamboo skewers before using them.

Suitable sides for the vegetables and pasta are grilled pita bread and assorted olives. End with baklava and fresh apricots.