Bengal Beef Skewers for the Man in your Life

Floating along in the spirit of sweet smelling June, I almost forgot to post a Father's Day menu. Although, if you scroll down to my last post, you could make a very fine feast of Teriyaki Chicken and pineapple upside down cake for your Dad, but then there is also your husband to consider. Somehow, I forget that I'm sorta responsible for that man of mine on Father's Day, too. (I did remember to get him some little presents-an Ella Fitzgerald CD, a tin of Altoids, a Toy Story 3 puzzle to put together with the charges, and an inflatable neck pillow for our big trip to the Middle East in the Fall. I don't think he's reading this post, but if he is I have no surprises left. That's what happens after nearly 15 years of marriage.) If I ask the Quiet Man what he wants for dinner, he usually says something kind but maddeningly unhelpful, like "I'm happy with what you make everyday." But on Father's Day, I don't want that every-day-kind-of happiness. I want that manly-beefy-holiday-kind-of-happiness. I had to put on my thinking cap for something really special. I had a flashback to our days of graduate school in southern California, when we spent our weekends making good use of our Disney annual passes. For those of you who know Disneyland, you'll recall a distinctive, savory aroma the minute you cross the threshold into Adventureland. The smell of Bengal Barbecue Beef Skewers, from some little cafe next to the Indiana Jones ride, was enticing enough to excite even the ever-stoic Quiet Man. Everyone who passes by drinks in the intoxicating smell-mmmm, this is the stuff that culinary dreams are made of. I wish I had a scratch and sniff sticker so you could lean in and see for yourself. Tender bites of grilled beef, doused with a savory sauce with the flavors of garlic, sesame and soy. This'll be just the ticket to surprise the Quiet Man, even if he already knows about all of his suprises. The smell alone would be worth it, but trust me-the flavor is unforgettable-in a manly-beefy-holiday kind of way, too.

Bengal Beef Barbecue Skewers

Estimated Cost: $8.00 for 6 skewers
Money Saving Tips: The grocery stores will have big meat sales for Father's Day, so stock up. Any tender cut of beef for grilling will work well here, so ask your butcher for your best and cheapest cut.

1 cup Soy Sauce

1 1/2 cups Water

1 Tbsp. Ground Black Pepper

3 Tbsp. Sesame Seed Oil

1 tsp. Ground Red Pepper

1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

1 Tbsp. Granulated Garlic

3 Tbsp. Cornstarch

18 one-ounce pieces Sirloin Beef Chunks

6 Bamboo Skewers
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients above and bring to a boil, adding cornstarch to thicken. Soak the bamboo skewers in water to avoid burning. Place 3 pieces of beef on each skewer and cook on the grill 3 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Brush with sauce and serve.
Here's what I'm serving alongside:

A green salad with apples, berries, and pecans,

Cheesy potatoes

Mixed vegetables

And there will be pie and ice cream. I'm not sure what kind, but I read somewhere that it was the favorite dessert of men. I've never forgotten it. That kind of useful information sticks with a girl.

Next Up:

Cinnamon Swirl Bread