Meat skewers

Recently, I tried these delicious bacon wrapped turkey skewers marinated in yogurt and served with a yogurt sauce. They turned out so good that I just had to share them here. You can probably tell that I love turkey by now, since I’ve already shared a couple of my favorite turkey recipes here, such turkey roast, turkey meatballs and turkey in a cream sauce. Despite that, you can make these skewers with any type of meat you like.  

This recipe involves a yogurt marinade, which makes the meat extra soft and flavorful. Also, since summer is right around the corner, meaning that the grilling season is soon to be open, you can grill these rolls instead of frying and roasting them. This dish is perfect for adults as well as kids!

Ingredients:

1.3 lbs (600 g) turkey, chicken, pork or beef (I used turkey)

14.1 oz (400 g) bacon, thinly sliced

fresh basil leaves (optional)

cooking oil for frying

Marinade:

1 + 1/4 cups (300 g) Greek yogurt

2-3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

Yogurt sauce:

2/3 cup Greek yogurt

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp lemon juice

1 clove garlic

1 cup fresh parsley, basil or coriander, coarsely chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Marinating 

1. Rinse the turkey with cold water and dry with paper towels. Cut the meat into 1.2-inch (3 cm) cubes. Set aside.
   
2. Wash the basil leaves, let them dry, and coarsely chop.
3. Peel the garlic and chop it into small pieces, or squeeze in a garlic press.
4. In a medium bowl, combine turkey, garlic, yogurt, salt, pepper, and basil leaves. Mix well. Add only a dash of salt, since the bacon is already salty. Covert the bowl with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8-12 hours.   
   

Frying and roasting

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Take the wooden skewers and soak them in warm water for 20 minutes in order to prevent them from igniting when the meat will be cooking.
3. Drain the excessive marinade from the meat by placing them on a paper towel.
4. Wrap each meat piece in bacon and a basil leaf. Thread the bacon-turkey-basil rolls on a wooden skewer.  
   
5. In a large frying pan, heat up some cooking oil, and fry the rolls for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until slightly golden. In order to cook the rolls more uniformly, try pressing the rolls down from the top using a frying spatula.
6. Place the skewers in a large shallow baking dish, and let them roast in the oven for 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the meat. If cooked for too long it can become dry. Serve with fresh vegetables and yogurt sauce. 

Yogurt sauce

1. Peel the garlic and chop it into small pieces or squeeze in a garlic press.
2. Wash the basil leaves, let them dry, and coarsely chop.
3. In small bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add the coarsely chopped greens and mix well again.
4. Refrigerate the yogurt sauce for 20-30 minutes before serving.  

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