DCA’s Food For Thought

One of the new but not really noted change for Disney California Adventure has been the addition of a variety of international cuisine; from Chinese to Mexican to Mediterranean food. At the Paradise Garden Grill, near Paradise Pier, guests will definitely be able to get their fix on everything Mediterranean such as beef Kefta skewers, lemon oregano chicken, steak, and delicious veggies.

However if you can’t make it to the park to try these delicious Mediterranean dishes, here is the recipe for the Mediterranean Kabob with Moroccan chili sauce, rice pilaf, and cucumber salad – a guest favorite from Paradise Garden Grill! We’ve also included a video walkthrough above of the preparation for all you watchful learners!

Kabob Mixture

• 1/2 cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely diced onions
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Moroccan Chili Sauce

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons harissa (Mediterranean chili paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced

Rice Pilaf

• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cups white rice
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• Coarse salt, to taste

Cucumber Salad

• 4 cucumbers, sliced on a diagonal
• 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil

For kabob mixture:

1. Soak 10 wooden skewers in cool water for at least 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place bulgur in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over bulgur and set aside until water is absorbed and bulgur is cool, about 30 minutes.
3. Add ground beef, onions, parsley, mint, garlic, cumin seeds, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne to bulgur in bowl. Mix with hands until just combined. Refrigerate 1 hour.
4. Shape mixture into 15 to 20 oblong balls and form around skewers.
5. Grill kabobs over medium-high heat, 8 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 158°F. Alternatively, bake in a 400°F oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until cooked through.

For Moroccan chili sauce:

1. Place stewed tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, harissa, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cayenne in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth; set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté 2 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
3. Add tomato mixture. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

For rice pilaf:

1. Combine vegetable stock, cumin, and pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add onions and celery; cook until vegetables are softened.
3. Carefully add hot vegetable stock mixture to rice mixture. Bring to a simmer, then place lid on pan. Cook until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Season to taste with salt.

For cucumber salad:

1. Combine cucumbers, red pepper, and green pepper in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Whisk together lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano, and sugar in a small bowl. Whisk in oil until completely combined.
3. Pour dressing over vegetables; toss to combine. Refrigerate salad until ready to serve.

To serve:

Serve skewers over rice pilaf with cucumber salad on the side and with Moroccan chili sauce for dipping.