SHAWARMA

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern wrap. Marinated, slow cooked and thinly sliced chicken, veggies and sauce wrapped in pita bread is what it is.

Shawarma has gained popularity in India as an 'on the go' food just like burger or sandwich. It has been indianised to some extent.

Thinly sliced veggies like onions, tomatoes, cucumbers can be added. Pickled cucumber, carrots, beet root can also be added. Sauces used in Shawarma differ from place to place.

Traditionally the chicken is slow cooked on a specially designed rotassarie.  Similar results can be obtained in the oven.

Here is the original recipe for Shawarma which can be easily prepared at home. Preparation of Shawarma is divided in four parts chicken marination, Shawarma bread, tahini sauce and the veggies. It may sound elaborate but doesn’t take much time. But surely you need to plan for this one.

Recipe for Shawarma

Ingredients 

For marinade

• 250gms boneless chicken (breasts or thighs)
• ½ cup thick yoghurt
• ½ tsp cumin seeds (roasted and ground)
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ½  tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
• Salt to taste
• Oil for basting

For flat bread

• 2 cups all purpose flour (maida)
• ½ tsp dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp raw sugar or white sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For tahini sauce

• ½ cup tahini
• 2 tbsp thick yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp minced garlic
• Few sprigs of parsley (finely chopped)
• Salt to taste

For salad

• 2 cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 2 tomatoes (thinly sliced)
• 2 onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 cups iceberg lettuce (roughly chopped)

How to make Shawarma bread

In a small bowl put dry yeast and raw sugar. Pour ¼ cup warm water. Keep aside for 5 minutes.

In a mixing bowl take the all purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Add salt to it and mix well.

Add the activated yeast mixture. Knead a  soft dough by adding warm water. I required ¾ th cup of water to knead this dough.

Dust the working area with some flour. Now transfer the dough to a on the dusted surface. Knead for 6 to 7 minutes or until the dough becomes soft.

Apply some olive oil and keep into a big bowl (greased with oil). Cover with a moist cloth. Keep in a warm place to prove. That will require 2 hours or more depending on the climate.

Divide the dough in six equal portions. Shape them into balls. Cover with moist cloth for ten minutes.

Roll it thin into circles of 6 inches diameter.

Transfer it on medium hot griddle. Cook for two minutes on each side.

Cover them with moist cloth until consumed.

How to make Tahini sauce

Put all the mentioned ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix well.

How to make Chicken kebabs

In a mixing bowl combine the yogurt, garlic, cumin seeds, cinnamon, chilli flakes, chilli powder, tomato paste and salt with chicken pieces. Gently rub the marinade over the boneless chicken.

Marinate overnight.

Grill the chicken at 220 deg celsius for 10 minutes on each side. Keep aside.

How to assemble Shawarma

Spread a big spoonful of tahini sauce on the flat bread.

Place the veggies in the center of flat bread followed by thinly sliced chicken.

Fold it into wraps and eat immediately.