Kebab Cookout

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, rice vinegar, ginger root, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, sesame oil and zest until well blended. (This part can be prepared 1 day ahead, covered and chilled.)

Just before serving, whisk in the cilantro, mint and sesame seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4.

Per serving: 133 calories, 1 gm protein, 20 gm carbohydrates, 6 gm fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 1 gm saturated fat, 191 mg sodium, 1 gm dietary fiber

Got an excuse to bring people together? E-mail ideas to gatherings@washpost.com.

Don't want to cook? Let these local eateries fire up the grill instead:

Aroma Indian Restaurant. 1919 I St. NW. 202-833-4700. Casual passers-by may not notice this tucked-away treasure, but they should! Try some spiced kebabs -- especially lamb or chicken ($13).

Kabob Palace. 2315 S. Eads St., Arlington. 703-486-3535. You get a lot of food for your money at this restaurant, which serves Persian, Pakistani and Afghani fare. Most entrees cost less than $5 and include rice, bread, salad and vegetables. For something a little different but very tasty, try the chapli kebab, made with hot and spicy Peshawari beef.

Le Tarbouche. 1801 K St. NW. 202-331-5551. At this Mediterranean restaurant, lunch crowds can enjoy a spiced chicken kebab marinated in garlic, lemon and tomato on top of a fattoush (bread) salad with a bit of toom (garlic mayonnaise, $15).

Moby Dick House of Kabob. Locations in Maryland (7027 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 301-654-1838; 105 Market St., Gaithersburg, 301-987-7770), Virginia (6854 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, 703-448-8448; 12154 Fairfax Towne Center, Fairfax, 703-352-6226) and the District (1070 31st St. NW, 202-333-4400). The must-try dish at this counter-style Persian restaurant is the chicken kebabs marinated with yogurt and spices, chargrilled to perfection ($5.25 with bread, $6.45 with rice).

Yekta Kabobi. 1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville. 301-984-0005. www.yekta.com. This Persian spot serves some unusual but appetizing kebab combinations. Try the joojeh -- grilled pieces of whole Rock Cornish hen ($8.99). And for a real treat, add some mast-o khiyar -- diced cucumber and yogurt with mint ($2).