Gutsy Pork Skewers with Bulgur Salad

The other day I had the biggest urge to eat something from the bbq.  The only problem was that I didn't have anything to light the bbq with, plus the shameful fact that I am not handy with a bbq at all.  That's a job I'll gladly leave to Hans.
I wanted something light, yet gutsy enough to jazz up the bulgur salad I was planning on serving.  These awesome pork skewers were simply grilled on the stovetop and then finished off in the oven.  Hardly bbq, but definitely tasty.  You'll want to marinate the meat well in advance.  Make sure you really use your fingers to rub the marinade into the meat. I'm also giving you the recipe for the bulgur salad to serve along with these succulent babies.
Enjoy!

Gutsy Pork Skewers
Serves 3-5
550g pork shoulder cubed or cut in thick strips
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp whole pink peppercorns
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 1/2 tbsp chilli oil
salt, to taste
Put all of the ingredients in a bowl.  Rub the marinade into the meat using your hands. Allow to marinate for 3-5 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 220C.
Thread the meat through skewers.
Grill the meat in a grill pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and allow to cook in the oven for another 10 minutes.  Serve with slices of lemon.

Bulgur Salad
Serves 2-3
10 tbsps bulgur
salt and pepper
200 ml  hot water
few handfuls cherry tomatoes, quartered
3-4 tbsps capers
chopped cucumber
chopped parsley
extra virgin olive oil
Put the bulgur in a bowl with a fitted lid.  Season with salt and pepper.  Pour the water over the bulgur and place the lid on.  Allow to soften for about 10 minutes.  Loosen the bulgur with a fork.
Add the rest of the ingredients, stir well and refrigerate.

Francophile's Day Out

Since moving to France is still a long way away, we try to live the Frenchest life possible while we're still here in the Netherlands.  Yes, that includes speaking French, eating French, behaving French and visiting events such as Amis de France- a fair meant for crazy Francophiles like us.

There was lots to see (mostly, lots to buy) and plenty to eat.  People were trying fresh oysters, braving the mile-long line for a tasty crepe or galette, playing petanque, purchasing French antiques, tasting wines or joining in on a French lesson by a Frenchman belting out tunes by greats like Charles Aznavour.

I really tried to be good, but I couldn't resist buying a French lace apron (in white- how practical), a wooden heart sign for the front door that reads 'bienvenue', a hanging plant basket (which we filled with pretty bright pink flowers and hung by the front door), a seriously French scarf and a dark gray tablecloth with lace-like accents.  Of course, we had to try one of the goodies from the crepe stand.  Kirstie had a crepe with white chocolate while Hans and I opted for a savory galette. Hans had one with bacon, eggs and gruyere and I had one with truffle paste, walnuts and gruyere.  The fact that they really slathered on the truffle paste made me a very happy girl.

It was a great day out.  We were inspied and once again reminded why we adore France and are intent on making all our French dreams come true.

À Bientôt!