Persian Kabob Food

KABOB KOOBIDEH (PERSIAN GROUND MEAT KABOBS)

Steps:

• Shave onions with a grater into a fine mesh strainer. Gently press pulp into the strainer to remove juices. Place pulp into the center of the cheesecloth and gently press until no further juice drips out.
• Place lamb and beef in a pot. Add green onion and onion pulp; mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in baking powder, salt, pepper, sumac, and turmeric. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Cover the pot and place in the refrigerator until flavors have melded, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Mold meat mixture onto the skewers.
• Cook on the preheated grill, rotating every minute, until nicely browned on all sides, and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 25 minutes.

PERSIAN BEEF KEBABS

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the steaks, cut into 1-inch cubes, and place in a large nonreactive bowl.
• Place onion, garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, and saffron or cumin, in a food processor and process until smooth. Pour mixture over meat, toss to coat, cover and marinate 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
• When ready to cook, heat grill to medium heat (350 degrees F) and oil well. Thread meat on skewers, leaving at least 1/2-inch space between each piece of meat. In a small bowl and the tomatoes, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat thoroughly. Place meat and tomatoes on grill. Cook meat, turning once, until charred and medium-rare, about 7 to 10 minutes. Cook tomatoes, turning rarely, until blistered and soft, about 10 minutes.
• Remove meat from skewers and have guests assemble their own sandwiches with meat, tomatoes, lavash, yogurt, and cilantro.

QUICK PERSIAN BEEF KEBABS

Steps:

• Cut the tenderloin crosswise into 1 inch thick slices. Place the slices flat on the cutting board and cut into 1 inch wide strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Thread the beef onto the skewers and place them on a large nonreactive platter.
• Puree the onion in food processor. Strain the resulting puree over the kebabs, turning to coat all slices. Using a fork, beat the lime juice, oil, pepper and salt in a small bowl, then pour the mixture over the kebabs, again turning to coat on all sides. Marinate for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the grill to high.
• When ready to cook, oil the grate. Drain the kebabs, arrange on the hot grate, and grill until cooked to taste, 1 to 2 minutes per side (4 to 8 minutes in all; Iranians like their beef on the medium side of medium-rare). Transfer the kebabs to a platter. With the butter on the end of a fork, for easy handling, rub it over each kebab. Serve immediately, with the lavash, using a piece of the bread to protect your hand as you slide the beef off the skewer.

PERSIAN CHICKEN KABOBS

Steps:

• Combine onion, lemon juice, oregano, paprika and garlic and puree in a small food processor blender.
• Add olive oil and process until well mixed.
• Combine chicken and marinade in a resealable plastic bag or other container so that chicken is completely covered (I just put it in a bowl and toss it periodically). Let marinade for at least 30 minutes, but longer is ok, too. Remember, because the marinade has oil in it, the oil will rise to the top so you may have to keep stirring it if you want to let it sit longer.
• Thread chicken pieces onto skewers and grill on direct medium heat for approximately 8 minutes per side, depending on preference and grill heat. I usually have my grill up to high, so the chicken only takes about 12 minutes total.