Cuban Pork Kebabs

Why is it Cuban?...glad you asked.  The marinade is called "mojo" (not to be pronounced like it looks, it's "mo-ho" - get that one right). It is essentially, olive oil, garlic and citrus (in this recipe, we will use oranges and lime).

Why a grilling recipe? - bec. there's nothing like grilling in that cold, chilly, brisk Fall atmosphere or winter wonderland, depending on climate change. :-) {i don't worry about it at all, coz, I have an indoor, electric grill}


Ingredients:
1. Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
2. Garlic - 3-5 cloves rough choped
3. Red Pepper Flakes - 1 teaspoon or more adjust according to heat flavor desire
4. Limes - about 2, fresh squeeze and a bit of zest for a bang.
5. Oranges - about 2, fresh squeeze and a bit of zest for a bang. (redundant, I know)
6. Pork tenderloins - cubed (about 2 lbs. - this recipe would do feed about 6 people - but that really depends upon who you're having over - ha!)
7. For a visual effect and tasty garnish: cut up an orange into 16 pieces, and 1 large English cucumber cut into 1 inch rounds or Zucchini - obviously, you will add them to the skewer with the pork. REMEMBER to soak your skewer in water for at least 30 min. in order to withstand the grill unless of course you are using something metallic.

Directions:
 In a sauce pan, combine the olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes over a medium-low heat.  Cook it until the garlic is soft (about 15 min.), remember to stir sparingly.  Remove from heat, and add the citrus juices, stir a bit more, and let it sit and cool.  This will become your marinade and also save some for applying a bit of oil to the pork while grilling.

Place the pork in a zip lock bag and pour much of the mojo (aha, did you say "mojoe" or "mo-ho"?) into the bag and let that marinade do its thing for at least 30 min. (if you really are in a hurry - which I find that if you are in a hurry, this is okay time for the flavors to set in, but there is nothing like doing it right - meaning you can marinate your meat up to 12 hours).

Thread the pork, orange slices, and cucumbers slices alternately onto the skewers. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Grill the kebabs for about 4-5 min. on each side for a medium finish or 6 min. on each side for a well done finish. Brush the kebabs with the remaining marinade while grilling, and serve it with a little bit of that marinade brushed onto the kebabs.

Substitute:
You can use chicken or scallops instead of pork if you wish to change up the protien - or, and I haven't tried this one, but Tofu may or may not work, so forget me suggesting Tofu. :-)