To make your cocktail party more participatory, have your guests grill their own skewers. A hibachi is even more user-friendly than a grill, since the ends of the skewers hang out over the edge, eliminating the need for tongs. If you're cooking everything yourself, it's easiest to use a large grill or a broiler (see cooks' note, below) and serve the skewers in batches.
• Skewers can be threaded up to 2 hours ahead and chilled separately, covered with plastic wrap. • To broil skewers, preheat broiler and oil rack of a broiler pan. Put 1 batch of skewers in 1 layer on rack and broil 2 to 3 inches from heat, turning over once, until beef is medium-rare, about 3 minutes total; chicken is just cooked through, about 3 minutes; shrimp is just cooked through, about 2 minutes; and mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes.
Recipe information
Total Time
2 1/2 hr (does not include soaking skewers)
Yield
Makes 80 to 100 small skewers
Ingredients
For skewers
Special Equipment
Preparation
Make marinade:
Step 1
Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt using a large heavy knife. Transfer to a small bowl and whisk in lemon juice and pepper, then add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Divide marinade among 4 (1- to 2-quart) bowls.
Prepare skewers:
Step 2
Cut steak into 20 to 25 (1/4-inch-thick) slices (about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide), then toss with marinade in one of bowls and thread each slice lengthwise onto a skewer.
Step 3
Cut chicken breast halves diagonally into 20 to 25 (1/4-inch-thick) slices (about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide; if breasts are thin, hold knife at a 45-degree angle to get 1-inch-wide slices). Toss with marinade in another bowl and thread each slice lengthwise onto a skewer.
Step 4
Toss shrimp with marinade in another bowl, then thread 2 shrimp onto each of 20 to 25 skewers.
Step 5
Toss mushrooms with marinade in remaining bowl and thread 2 small mushrooms or 2 large halves onto each of 20 to 25 skewers.
Step 6
Prepare grill for cooking over hot charcoal (high heat for gas); see "Grilling Procedure," below.
Step 7
Grill skewers in batches on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once with tongs, until beef is medium-rare, about 3 minutes total; chicken is just cooked through, about 3 minutes; shrimp is just cooked through, about 2 minutes; and mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes.
Grilling Procedure
Step 8
If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. When charcoal turns grayish white (about 15 minutes from lighting), hold your hand 5 inches above grill rack to determine heat for charcoal as follows:
Step 9
Hot: When you can hold your hand there for 1 to 2 seconds
Step 10
Medium-hot: 3 to 4 seconds
Step 11
Low: 5 to 6 seconds
Step 12
If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then, if necessary, reduce to heat specified in recipe.
