Street Food
Brochettes Béninoises (Grilled Meat
Ingredients
- - 600 g (1.3 lb) beef sirloin or goat meat, cut into 2.5cm cubes
- - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- - 2 cloves garlic, minced
- - 1 tsp ground ginger
- - 1 tsp chilli powder
- - 1 tsp paprika
- - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- - 1 tsp salt
- - 1 onion, cut into large chunks (for skewering)
- - 1 red bell pepper, cut into large chunks (for skewering)
- - Wooden or metal skewers
Method
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a bowl, combine the oil, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, paprika, cumin and salt to form a marinade.
- Toss the meat cubes in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavour.
- Thread the marinated meat onto skewers, alternating with pieces of onion and bell pepper.
- Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until charred on the outside and cooked to preference inside.
- Serve hot, straight off the grill.
Introduction: Smoky, spice-rubbed meat skewers grilled over open charcoal are a fixture of Beninese evenings, sold from
street carts where the sizzle and aroma draw crowds after dark.
Cultural Background: Smoky, spice-rubbed meat skewers grilled over open charcoal are a fixture of Beninese evenings, sold from
street carts where the sizzle and aroma draw crowds after dark. Vendors often fan the coals by hand to keep
the flame steady through the night's rush.
Tips: Leave a small gap between each piece of meat and vegetable on the skewer – crowding prevents even
charring on all sides.
Variations: Serve with a side of ata bean fritters and a spicy pepper sauce, as commonly done at street stalls.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute meat with thick slices of halloumi or firm tofu, marinated the same way and grilled for 3-4 minutes
per side.
Storage: Refrigerate cooked skewers for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat under a grill or in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side to restore char and warmth.
Nutrition: Approx. 280 kcal, 26g protein, 17g fat, 5g carbohydrates per skewer (of 4).
FAQs:
Q: Can I bake these instead of grilling?
A: Yes, broil in the oven on high for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, though the smoky flavour will be less pronounced.
Q: How long should I marinate the meat?
A: A minimum of 1 hour is needed for flavour to penetrate, but overnight gives the best results.