The Real Turkish Shish Kebab Recipes

THE BEST SHISH KEBABS

Steps:

• Soak the skewers in water for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight. Pat them dry and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
• Whisk the vinegar, scallions, Dijon, garlic, sugar, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl or large liquid measuring cup. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
• Put the beef pieces, bell peppers, onions and zucchini in a large resealable plastic bag. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade and pour the rest into the bag and seal. Toss the bag so the meat and vegetables are well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• Thread the meat and vegetables onto a skewer in the following order: beef, zucchini, red pepper, yellow pepper and onion. Repeat the threading three more times, ending with a piece of beef (there should be 5 pieces of beef and 4 pieces of each vegetable on the skewer). Repeat with the remaining skewers and ingredients.
• Sprinkle the kebabs with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Grill at an angle, uncovered, until deep char marks form and the vegetables start to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the skewers and continue cooking until the beef has reached an internal temperature of 125 degrees F when measured with an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the grill and brush the kebabs with the reserved 1/4 cup marinade. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

TAVUK ŞIş (TURKISH CHICKEN KEBAB) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
• Cut the meat into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Using the finest grater possible, grate the onion and garlic cloves over a medium bowl.
• Pour the pulp and juice into a fine mesh strainer and, using a wooden spoon, press out the juice into a medium bowl. Discard the onion and garlic pulp; reserve the juice.
• Stir together the onion-garlic juice, yogurt, oil, tomato paste, black pepper, paprika, and salt.
• Add the cubed chicken and toss to coat.
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
• Prepare a medium (350°F to 375°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. If using bamboo skewers, soak skewers in water for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire on the grill.
• Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them onto soaked bamboo kebab skewers or metal skewers. The chunks of chicken can touch each other, but don't put them too close together to ensure they cook through. Discard any remaining marinade.
• Sprinkle the kebabs generously with salt and place on pre heated grill. Grill evenly on all sides, about 12 minutes total.
• Garnish with sumac, dried oregano, and paprika, if desired, and serve.

THE REAL TURKISH SHISH KEBAB

Steps:

• 1. Combine the yogurt, oil, garlic, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a nonreactive bowl. Add the lamb and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and let marinate, in the refrigerator, for 24 hours, stirring once or twice.2. Preheat the grill to high.3. When ready to grill, remove the lamb from the marinade and thread onto the thin skewers, alternating lean and fatty pieces. Thread the tomatoes onto a separate, flat skewer and the peppers onto another flat skewer. Oil the grill grate, then arrange all the kebabs on the hot grate, and grill, turning with tongs, until the skins on the vegetables are blistered and browned and the lamb is browned and done to taste, 8 to 12 minutes in all) for well-done.4. Using a pita to protect your hand, unskewer the lamb and vegetables onto serving plates, dividing the vegetables evenly. Serve immediately, accompanied by sumac (if using) for sprinkling.Serves 4