Grilled Fish Kebabs

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you grill fish kebabs over the coals? Gather your ingredients. I'm using halibut steaks — the fish is fairly rich and has few bones. You can use any fattier fish with few bones. Any of the finer varieties work beautifully: salmon, trout, or sturgeon. Mackerel is great too. Fresh (never-frozen) fish is best — it's better for you than frozen and holds much less water.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the fish well and cut it into medium pieces. Don't cut them too small, or the kebabs will turn out dry.

3. Step 3:

   

   Put the cut fish in a marinating container, ideally one with a lid. You can add a little salt if you like. These days I barely salt fish — the lemon juice is enough for me. But that's a matter of taste!

4. Step 4:

   

   We only need the juice from the lemon, so store-bought lemon juice works fine too. If you're juicing a fresh lemon, wash it first in very hot water — it'll release much more juice. Pour the lemon juice over the fish. It cuts any excess fishy smell.

5. Step 5:

   

   Pour in the kefir. Kefir makes an excellent marinade for all kinds of kebabs.

6. Step 6:

   

   Peel the onion and cut it into rings or half-moons.

7. Step 7:

   

   Add the onion to the fish and stir everything well. Let it marinate anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.

8. Step 8:

   

   Before cooking, light a fire and wait until it burns down to hot, glowing coals. Birch wood is best — it gives the kebabs a wonderful aroma. Or you can use ready-made charcoal and simply get it glowing hot.

9. Step 9:

   

   Wash the skewers and heat them right on the grill. Thread the fish pieces onto the skewers and set them over the coals.

10. Step 10:

    

    Since the fish is fairly fatty, dripping fat can flare up when it hits the coals. Keep an eye out so there's no open flame and the kebabs don't scorch. Grill for about 5 minutes per side, turning now and then. Fish cooks quickly, so the total time is about 25 minutes.

11. Step 11:

    

    Of course, kebabs are best served right away, while they're hot. Enjoy!