Shish Taouk

Directions

1. 1
   Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces.
2. 2
   Mix the oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and leave the chicken in this marinade for 1/2 hour or longer, turning the pieces over once.
3. 3
   Thread onto flat-bladed skewers and cook over the glowing embers of a charcoal fire or under the broiler for 610 minutes, until lightly browned, turning the skewers over once, and brushing with the marinade.
4. 4
   Serve on a bed of parsley, with lemon wedges and sliced onion.
5. 5
   Sprinkle if you like with sumac (in which case, do not use the lemon wedges).
6. 6
   For a Turkish marinade, liquidize in a food processor 1 onion with 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
7. 7
   For a Moroccan flavor, use as a marinade 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon paprika, a good pinch of ground chili pepper, and salt mixed with 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
8. 8
   Serve sprinkled with chopped cilantro.
9. 9
   For an Iranian version, turn the chicken pieces in 4 tablespoons melted butter mixed with 1/4 teaspoon saffron powder, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and some salt.