Wow, what a year. A cross country move, a gazillion airline miles, buckets of tears, baskets of laughs, a handful of new friendships, and the most perfect wedding later.. here we are. The year really did fly by in the blink of an eye and it was undoubtedly my best year yet. It was also my most trying year. I have never before been placed so far removed from my comfort zone. I tried so hard to adopt all those self-help book philosophies that tell you to be comfortable being uncomfortable and to treat each big change in your life as an adventure and to embrace the moment. But all I wanted to do (all I still want to do) was to go home, hug my mommy and never step foot in California again.

I guess that’s the thing about growing up though. You begin to realize that some things are so much bigger than you. I’m not sure I even consider myself grown up yet, but I do know that I’ve grown up a little bit since I moved to California. It’s not fun and it’s not exciting and I will still never be “comfortable being uncomfortable”, but it is life and for now, that will have to be enough.

I have never been one for New Years resolutions but I did promise myself that in 2019 I will do my very best to make time for things that I love to do. So this year, whenever things get tough, whenever I miss my family and the east coast, I’m going to channel all that energy, keep my head up, and continue cooking!

Here’s the recipe for my spicy garlicky chicken kebabs:

1 package of organic ground chicken

1 jalapeño shredded

1/2 large red onion shredded

6-7 garlic cloves shredded

3 Teaspoons of cumin powder

3 teaspoons red chilli powder

2 teaspoons coriander powder

Squeeze of lime juice

pinch of salt

pepper to taste

 

Cilantro yogurt dipping sauce

1 cup greek yogurt

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 cup chopped cilantro (stems included)

1/4 large red onion chopped

1 teaspoon red chilli powder

Squeeze of lime juice

pinch of salt

 

For the kebabs: 

Mix all ingredients and let it marinate in the fridge for 30 mins – overnight (I only marinated for an hour and mine were super flavorful)

use watery fingers to stick kebabs to skewers.

Line baking tray with oil and lay out your skewers on the tray. Broil for 10 mins (turn skewers every 2 mins)

For the Dip:

Mix all ingredients together and serve with kebabs.

 

You could also serve these in pita pockets, add some veggies, and top with the dip and maybe some harissa if you like it extra spicy. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!