Tag: Middle Eastern cuisine

  • Shashlik

    photo of shashlik kebab skewers being barbequed
    Shashlik kebabs on a grill

    Shashlik (sometimes also called shashlyk or shish kebab) is a term given to skewered meat in some parts of the world, particularly in Eastern Europe and in Middle Eastern countries. Traditionally the meat used would be lamb or goat, especially in Islamic countries.  But these days it can be found with a variety of meat, eg pork, chicken, beef or fish, depending on local preferences and religious beliefs.

    Sometimes the skewers are threaded with meat only and sometimes the meat is alternated with pieces of fat – good for keeping the meat moist when grilling – or vegetable pieces, eg onion, bell pepper, tomato, mushrooms, etc.

    A favourite in Pakistan and Afghanistan is to serve several skewers of lamb or goat meat on a naan bread and accompany it with sliced red onions, sliced tomatoes, green chillies, a bunch of coriander, and lime wedges.

    Greece has a very similar type of kebab called souvlaki, and traditionally this is made with pork meat.

     

     

  • Baklava

    Baklava - traditional Middle Eastern sweet desert

    What is it?

    Originally from Turkey, baklava is a rich, sticky, sweet pastry made from layers of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened and held together with syrup or honey.

    It’s best to score the pastry prior to baking, as it will be very difficult to cut neatly after it’s been baked.

    Recipe

    BBC Food’s Baklava