Recipe: Grilled Veggie Kebabs With 2 Jalepeño Dipping Sauces

If you like a little heat when you eat, then you’ll love the grilled and smoky flavors of these jalapeño sauces. In addition to the delicious flavor they impart, jalapeños contain capsaicin, the natural substance that gives chili peppers their heat. Capsaicin has been found to lower appetite and speed metabolism, too.

The kebabs, containing fresh veggies, are packed with properties that help fight disease, trim your waist and boost your immune system. And they’re fun to eat!

Ingredients

For vegetable kebabs:

• 2 red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch square pieces
• 2 yellow bell peppers, cut into 1-inch square pieces
• 1 purple onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick wedges
• 4 small to medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch thick rounds
• 12 medium white mushrooms, cut in half
• 12 10-inch wooden skewers
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

For grilled jalapeño sauce:

• 1 jalapeño
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 3/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt, no sugar added
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

For smoked jalapeño sauce:

• 3/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt, no sugar added
• 1 teaspoon chopped chipotle in adobo, plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce

Directions

1. Grilled jalapeño sauce: Heat the grill to medium-high. Grill the jalapeño until completely charred, 3 to 4 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel and remove the stem and seeds. Place the jalapeño in a blender along with the cilantro, yogurt and lime juice. Puree until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Smoked jalapeño sauce: Combine the yogurt, chopped chipotle and adobo sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Vegetable kebabs: Heat the grill to medium-high. Dividing evenly in whatever pattern you like, thread the vegetables onto the skewers. Lightly brush the vegetables with the oil. Wrap each end of the skewers with a small piece of foil to prevent burning. Grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with the two sauces.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 4 servings
Serving = 3 skewers and 1/4 of each sauce

Calories: 170
Total fat: 5 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Protein: 10 g
Total carbohydrate: 24 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 14 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 560 mg

— Created by Sara Quessenberry for Cleveland Clinic Wellness.