Go Ethnic -- And Bring the World to Your Table

Are you tired of serving the same old thing? Would you like to perk up your meals -- without spend a lot of time cooking? If so, try serving ethnic foods. With a little imagination, it can be an interesting way to get out of the food rut.

Simply pick a country, go to your local library and check out some books, cd's, posters, and, of course, cookbooks, about it. Select children's books, as well as ones for adults.

After all members of the family have had a chance to read a little about the country, serve some of the native dishes at dinner one night. As you eat, let everyone share what they have learned about the country.

You can make the experience even more enjoyable by decorating the table with a homemade flag of the country--an ideal project for children.

Be sure to take photos of your celebration and keep a scrapbook of your family's "food trips around the world." (Don't tell the kids, but this is a great way to get them to try new foods.)

Here, to help you get started enjoying ethnic foods, is an Indonesian Satay (Sah TAY)Recipe that has been adapted for easy preparation. Sate (cubes of spicy meat, poultry or seafood) is a very pouular Indonesian dish, served especially at festive occasions.

Indonesian Satay

3 tablespoons naturally brewed soy sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1 clove garlic, minced

1 pound boned, skinned chicken breasts cut in cubes

cooked rice

Peanut Sauce (recipe follows)

In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, oil, lemon juice, curry powder and garlic. Add chicken and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours.

If using bamboo skewers, soak in water one-half hour before cooking, then drain skewers and thread chicken cubes on them so chicken is close, but so that each piece is separate so they cook evenly. Reserve marinade.

Broil chicken 6 inches from heat, turning and basting frequently with reserved marinade, 6 to 8 minutes, or until cooked. (Cut one cube open to ensure no pink meat remains to determine doneness.)

Do not brush with marinade during last 6 minutes of cooking because you want to make certain that the marinade sauce is thoroughly cooked before serving. Toss remaining marinate. Since it contains raw chicken juices, it is not safe to eat.

Serve with cooked rice and Peanut Butter Sauce (recipe below.)

Yield: About 4 servings.

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