Small Bites For Wood Fired Appetites: The Grilled Pu Pu Platter

I had to at least try.

This little beauty was just waiting to be used, especially after painstakingly disassembling and seasoning it to its original cast iron glory. And today, with a gorgeous sky, mild temperature, and just a hint of fall in our surroundings, it was time to bust out the hibachi and see what would come of it. The mood took on a nostalgic tone, firing up this little trinket of a grill. With the bottom vent opened, I filled the bowl with hardwood charcoal, and small wisps of smoke ribbons started making their way skyward, trying with all their might to conjure enough heat to actually enjoy a mini skewer or two, grilled right in front of us on this little tabletop grill.

And speaking of those mini skewers, I pledged early on to give this hibachi a challenge, and give it a challenge I did, with an array of skewered delicacies fit for an night of appetizer bliss. Indeed, I would only be satisfied by constructing a Wood-Fired Pu Pu platter. And it looked like this.

So outfitted with a hot hibachi, a searing hot cast iron mini grill, and a variety of mini skewers to match, we began, with rumbling tummies and watering mouths. Starting from the left, we had marinated shrimp skewers, tomato bacon and mozzarella skewers, marinated steak and mushroom skewers, turkey kielbasa and pineapple skewers, and seasoned chicken with jalapeño skewers. A mini feast for a mini grill, but with big variety. We started with the chicken, which, by the way, took the longest to cook.

Once done and removed from the grill, a combo was prepped, consisting of the shrimp and steak/mushroom combo.  An actual mini surf and turf, kind of. These were delicious, packed with flavor, and well, it was shrimp and steak, so…

Next up was the kielbasa with pineapple, an old favorite combo that hadn’t been revisited for a long time. It, too, was a winner.

And finally, the tomato bacon and mozzarella skewers, which had to be continually rotated to prevent the cheese from melting through. These were delicious as well, and probably should have been put on first, given the kick in the pants the fire received from the bacon drippings. This fun fact is noted for future hibachi adventures.

So after this little hibachi experiment was over, it was time to reflect. A good first attempt it was, but it could be better. The grilled Pu Pu Platter is definitely an appetizer set up, and when thinking about it, what a great one it could be.

While having guests over for a visit and dinner, why not have this beauty properly set up and centrally located so those that are interested, or curious, can quickly and easily grill their appetizer of choice. A quick bite that is also a conversation piece or ice breaker.

How cool would that be?

Very cool…

Because Life Is Better Wood Fired