Shawarma

 

Shawarma which translates as ‘turned’ is one of the most accepted Middle-Eastern dishes and street food types that has spread throughout the globe thanks to the rich blending tastes it offers and the wide choice of products one can play around with.. Traditionally, shawarma comes from the Levant region where marinated meat is layered on a rotisserie and cooked while spinning vertically. It is either placed in a flat bread or pita with an assortment of vegetables and sauces or served as open-faced. In this particular tutorial on how to make a shawarma, I shall take you through every step starting from the ingredient sourcing to the wrapping style.

1. _The Meaning of Shawarma_

What exactly is shawarma?

Shawarma is where marinated elands and chopped meat are stacked in a vertical rotating spit to form a cone and as the meat gets cooked, the outer shaving layers of the cone are served in a wrap as well with the addition of some condiments and veggies. Usually, meat consumed includes lamb, chicken, beef, and turkey but vegetarian versions are also on the rise.

The Cultural Importance

Shawarma is not merely a dish as it serves a purpose as a cultural practice. It can be seen everywhere from busy markets to street side eateries, depicting the idea of eating together. Several countries in the Middle East have shawarma as a cuisine that brings people together order wise, most of them being friends or family.

2. Taking the Ingredients Into Consideration

Meat Selection

As stated prior, meat is the most important ingredient in any shawarma wrap. Below are some typical examples of the meat type utilized:

Chicken: Tender and juicy chicken shawarma has gained enormous popularity and is preparred with the help of spices and yogurt.

Lamb: It is love when it is prepared and served - this is mutton lamb which is available most in shawarma kiosks as its taste is highly spiced making it popular.

Beef: A smoked meat is a heavy filled wrap their consists mainly of beef shawarma that is doused in marinade and cut into pieces.

Turkey: A member of the cuisine that is being embraced fast but chopped up can be spiced the same way as chicken, this is turkey.

Marinades and Seasonings

In order to make meat tasty, marinade is one of the most important components. A few constituents of a curry marinade for shawarma are:

Yogurt: Using this makes meat parts softer and brings a sour taste.

Spices: These include cumin, coriander, paprika and also turmeric, cinnamon and all spice. All of these spices enhance the overall taste but they also bring other included flavors.

Garlic and Lemon Juice: The strong taste of the fresh garlic cloves with the juice of the fresh lemons made it an attractive addition to the marinade.

Toppings and Vegetables

When it comes to making the perfect shawarma wrap, it is not only the meat that comes into play but fresh toppings as well which helps make the dish better. For example:

“Lettuce”: It Provides Crunch and Freshness.

‘tomatoes’: They Help in Moisture Content and Fat Balance of the Shawarma Meats

Cucumbers: They Help in Adding a Crisp and Refreshing Element.

‘Pickles’: Ever Heard of Pickled Cucumbers or Turnips? You Are in For a Sweet Sour Surprise.

Onions: Thin red onions add an element of sweetness and slight spiciness.

Dips

Wraps are incomplete without the dips or sauces which are provided along with them. The most common being: 

Tahini Sauce: Add creaminess and flavor with tahini sauce which is made of ground sesame seeds.

Garlic Sauce: One of such dips includes thick and spicy garlic dip, which is quite often used for the meat.

Chili Sauce: For those who love spicy food, chili sauce is drizzled on top to add flavor.

3. Marinating the Meat

Step by Step Marinade Process

1. Preparation: Start the process by cutting the meat into thin strips which help with the marination and cooking of the meat evenly.

2. Marinade Mix: Take a bowl and mix the ingredients yogurt, minced garlic, lemon, juice, and spices. Change the number according to the meat that you have.

3. Coating the Meat: Add the meat into the marinade mix ensuring the pieces of meat are properly coated. Seal and store in the refrigerator for 2 hours minimum but for the best results overnight is ideal. This allows the meat to absorb the marinade.

The Value of Marination Period

Meat marinading is a pivotal dimension of prepares tender and tasty shawarma. As the meat is marinated for a long period of time, the flavors tend to intensify more. In addition, the marinades usually contain acids which play a role in tenderizing the fiber structure of the cuts of meat.

4. Cooking the Shawarma

Cooking Methods

In a conventional manner, the shawarma tropically is cooked using a vertical rotatory grill but there are also few other alternatives which can be tried at home for delicious and mouthwatering results even:

Grill: A grill imparts smoked flavor and charring effect on the meat; hence this alternative is favored by many home cooks.

Oven roasting: In this method, pieces of marinated meat are placed on baking tray, covered in foil and edged in an oven at high heat. This technique helps in careful and complete cooking of the meat along with caramelization.

Stovetop: Cook the meat over medium to high heat in a skillet’ frying pan which will allow a good searing.

How to cook Shawarma perfectly

Preheat: Slightly warm the surface where cooking will be done for proper surface retention of flavours and juices.

Do Not Overcrowd: Its best to cook meat in meat more then one batch as this allows the meat to sear and not steam.

Internal Temperature: This is to be checked using a meat thermometer which is inserted in the thickest part. The chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 °F (75 °C). The lamb and beef do not have to be cooked more than 145 ° F (63° C) which is medium rare.

5. Assembling the Ideal Wrap

Finding the Right Wrap

Arguably, the wrap that you will choose also affects the way you will enjoy your shawarma dishes. The following are the common ones:

Pita Bread: Flexible, tear resistant and elastic window why fill this bread.

Lafa Bread: A thicker flatbread that is much stronger and has the capacity to hold more fillings.

Lavash: Also a thin flatbread which is a perfect choice for wrapping the fillings as well.

The Assembly Process

1. Warm the Wrap: Before starting the wrap, it is advisable to warm a tortilla on a pan or in an oven for easier use.

2. Layering Ingredients: Starting with lettuce at the bottom, then adding a layer of meat on top. Within this layer also add tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles, and some onions too.

3. Drizzling Sauces: End with the sauces of your choice, ensuring consistent coverage in every bit.

4. Wrapping Technique: Tuck the edges of the wrap, and then, starting from the bottom, roll it over itself. This method ensures that every stuffing is intact within the wrap.

6. Enhancing Your Shawarma Experience

Pairing with Sides

Various side dishes can be added alongside shawarma rap so that it becomes a complete meal. Below are some common examples

Fries: French fries flavored with region-specific spices are found with per wrap.

Tabbouleh: A healthy mix of bulger wheat, tomatoes, and parsley serves as a cool side salad.

Hummus: This garlicky dip will taste wonderful and can even be spread on wraps.

Beverage Pairings

Also, think of beverages that can go well with your shawarma in order to bring out the full worth of the meal:

Mint Lemonade: A cool refreshing drink with some zesty flavor, this drink also goes hand in hand with other shawarma.

Ayran: A traditional Turkish beverage made of yogurt, ayran is refreshing and helps one quench thirst.

Tea: A good old mint or black tea serves the purpose of cleansing the taste buds.

7. Creative Shawarma Variations

Vegetarian Shawarma

If you do not want meat in your wrap, then consider marinated mushrooms, eggplant or even cauliflower. These can be spiced up in the same way and become lump and delicious as they are. 

Fusion Shawarma

Focus on mixing different element of the cuisine available from the world, by adding some spices or sauces for instance. For example, spicy thai peanut sauce or some Indian curry marinade can spices the shawarma that is well know here.

Breakfast Shawarma

Unleash creativity on shawarma by incorporating scrambled eggs in a wrap.