Easy Turkish Iskender Kebab Recipe
Delight in the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine with our Iskender kebab recipe, featuring succulent slices of lamb or beef served over a bed of crispy pita bread. This dish is elevated with a generous drizzle of tangy tomato sauce and a dollop of creamy yogurt, creating a perfect harmony of tastes and textures. Ideal for any occasion, Iskender kebab is sure to impress with its authentic taste and satisfying, hearty appeal.
Equipment
- 1 Grill pan
- 1 oven
- 1 saucepan
- 1 small saucepan
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 cutting board
- 1 kitchen knife
- tongs for flipping and handling the meat
- serving plates
Ingredients
- 700 gram lamb leg or shoulder thinle sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
Lamb Ingredients
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cloves garlic minved
- 1 onion medium sized and grated
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 juıice of lemon
Tomatoe Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tomatoes large ripe peeled and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup water
Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Yogurt Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt to taste
Pita Bread
- 4 pita breads cut into small pieces
Garnishing Ingredients
- Fresh parsley chopped for garnish
- romatoes and green peppers grilled (optional)
Instructions
- Season the thinly sliced lamb or beef with salt and black pepper.Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.Brush the grill with olive oil and grill the meat slices until cooked through and slightly charred, about 3-4 minutes per side. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.Add chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine plain yogurt with minced garlic and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.Once melted, add paprika and dried oregano. Stir well and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).Arrange the Turkish bread pieces on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven for 5-7 minutes.Place the warm bread pieces on individual serving plates.Top the bread pieces with grilled meat slices.Pour the tomato sauce generously over the meat.Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the tomato sauce.Finally, pour the warm butter sauce over the entire dish.
- Garnish the Iskender with chopped parsley, sumac, and red pepper flakes if desired.Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Note: The ideal İskenker Kebab should be served immediately after the cooking step. You may consider a 10 minutes for resting before serving the İskender kebab to children since it's too hot.
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Enjoy!