There's just something festive about cooking meat and vegetables on a stick!

Grilled Teriyaki Steak Kabobs

2 1/2 pounds boneless round or top sirloin steak, 1-inch thick; cut into 1-inch cubes 1/4 cup soy sauce Juice of 1 fresh lemon (2 to 3 tablespoons) 1 tablespoon brown sugar, firmly packed 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, reserve juice* 1 large red or white onion, quartered 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 pound whole fresh mushrooms 2 or 3 zucchini, sliced into 1-inch rounds 12 (10 to 12-inch) wooden bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes Hot cooked long grain rice for accompaniment

In large zipper-lock style plastic bag, or a shallow glass dish, combine the soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic and reserved pineapple juice. Mix well.
Place steak cubes in marinade and allow to marinate at room temperature for 2 hours or for several hours in the refrigerator, turning the bag over at least once to ensure meat is evenly marinated.
Remove meat cubes, reserving marinade.
To assemble kababs, alternately thread the meat, pineapple chunks and prepared vegetables on bamboo skewers.
Grill over medium-hot heat, about 8 to 10 minutes on each side for medium-well or until desired doneness.
Meanwhile, bring the reserved marinade to a boil in a small saucepan and simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Brush over kabobs just before removing from grill.
Serve kabobs on a bed of hot fluffy long grain rice.

Makes 12 servings.

*Cook's Tip: Fresh pineapple can definitely be used instead of canned (I actually prefer to use fresh, it not only tastes better, but holds up better to the rigors of grilling). Add about 1/2 cup pineapple juice to the marinade to replace the juice from the canned pineapple. Cut up only enough cubes of pineapple to skewer and serve the remaining pineapple in spears as a side dish.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of recipe): 165.7 calories; 14% calories from fat; 2.6g total fat; 53.9mg cholesterol; 355.9mg sodium; 655.9mg potassium; 12.4g carbohydrates; 1.5g fiber; 9.2g sugar; 10.9g net carbs; 23.5g protein.