Recipe: Honey Sesame Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

Serves 4.

Note: Tender, flavorful beef is grilled until slightly charred and slathered in a well-balanced sweet and salty sauce, along with skewers of pineapple and red peppers. Mirin, a sweet Japanese rice wine, can be found in the global section of most grocery stores. Alternatively, substitute 1/4 cup vermouth or sake and 2 teaspoons sugar for every 1/4 cup mirin. From Meredith Deeds.

• 1 1/4 lb. sirloin steak tips (flap meat), trimmed of excess fat, and cut into 2-in. cubes

• 3 tbsp. soy sauce

• 2 tbsp. mirin (see Note)

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1 pineapple trimmed, peel, cored and cut into 1 1/2-in. chunks

• 2 medium red bell peppers, cored and cut into 1 1/2-in. chunks

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 c. Honey Sesame Teriyaki Sauce (recipe follows)

• 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Directions

If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 1 hour. Place the meat in a large zip-top bag.

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, mirin, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic and ginger. Pour into the bag and toss to combine with the meat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple, red pepper, salt, pepper and remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Toss to coat.

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium-high heat.

Place both the beef and pineapple and pepper skewers on the grill for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes. Brush the kebabs with 1/4 cup Honey Sesame Teriyaki Sauce and continue grilling, turning each kebab every 30 seconds until slightly charred in spots, on all sides and the beef is cooked to desired doneness, about 9 minutes total.

Brush the kebabs one more time with remaining 1/4 cup sauce and transfer to serving platter. Let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds and serve.

Makes about 1 cup.

Note: A twist on traditional Japanese teriyaki, this version gets an added flavor dimension from a generous amount of honey and a splash of nutty, toasty sesame oil. Dry vermouth can be substituted for sake. Mirin, a sweet Japanese rice wine, can be found in the global section of most grocery stores. Alternatively, substitute 1/4 cup vermouth or sake and 2 teaspoons sugar for every 1/4 cup mirin. From Meredith Deeds.

• 1/2 c. mirin (see Note)

• 1/3 c. soy sauce

• 1/4 c. honey

• 1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil

Directions