Shish Tawook

Shish Taauk/Tavuk is a traditional Arabic & Turkish shish kababs which is variedly consumed in Lebanese,Syrian,Egyptian & Iraqi cuisine.In Turkish shish means skewer & Tavuk means chicken.It is basically marinated chicken cubes which are(with or without vegetable) skewered & grilled,serve with rice & garlic sauce (toum).In Lebanon its served with hummus & tabbouleh salad.Its widely used in sandwiches,shawarma,pita bread wrap along with lettuce,tomato & pickle turnip & seasoned with garlic sauce.Its often served in a platter with vegetable & fries.

My recipe of Shish tawook is simple to prepare.You have all the ingredient in your pantry & its really a fancy meal to serve on weekends.I like to served it with Butter rice,Fresh Garden salad & Garlic sauce.So here is my recipe

For Chicken Marinade:

• Chicken breast 800g(cut into cubes)
• Coriander powder 1/4tsp
• Roasted cumin powder 1/4tsp
• Salt to taste
• Paprika 1tbsp
• yogurt 4tbsp
• Lemon juice 1/4cup
• Garlic 1/2tbsp(minced)
• Green chilly 4 (minced)(again for extra heat)
• Red chilly powder 1/4tsp(opt)(for a hint of extra spice)
• Tomato paste 2tsp(or tomato ketchup if unavailable)
• Papaya paste 1tbsp

1. Marinate the chicken pieces with all above & leave overnight in the fridge.

For vegetables:

• Red onions 2(cut into cubes/diced)
• Capsicum 2(cut into cubes/diced)
• Tomato 2(cut into cubes/diced)

Other Ingredients:

• Wooden skewers(to fill the veg & chicken)
• Oil for frying

1. Now take wooden skewers & fill it with a cube of capsicum followed by a cube of tomato then onion & chicken cube,again with onion,tomato & capsicum & chicken..fill the rest vise virsa..
2. When you have finished making all.Heat some oil in a frying pan & fry the Shisk tawook on high flame for couple of mins each & put aside.Now you can either grill it i the oven or on grill pan or electric grill.I used my electric grill,i cooked the skewers until tender to touch but still juicy.

For Rice:

• Basmati rice 3cups
• Turmeric a pinch
• Butter
• Oil 1tbsp
• Salt
• Vinegar 1tsp

1. Wash the rice under running water & soak it for 1hr.
2. Then boil it with some salt & vinegar until tender when still a bit firm when pressed.
3. In another pot add a good knob of butter & oil.
4. Add in the turmeric(just for colour),salt.
5. Throw in the boiled rice & stir until well mixed.
6. Cover for couple of mins.
7. Remove flame add some more butter about 1tbsp & mix again.
8. Serve with shish Tawook.

Toum(garlic sauce):

• Garlic 4cloves,minced
• Salt 1/4tsp
• Canola oil 1cup
• Lemon juice 3-4tbsp
• Egg white 1-2

1. In a blender blend egg white,salt & lemon juice.Slowly add the oil while the blender is still running.Stop when the mixture started to thicken.Add in garlic & start again to mix it.serve with shish tawook.

If you want the without egg version of toum to go with Shish tawook then there you go

Toum(without egg)

• Plain yogurt 1cup(thickened)
• Extra virgin Olive oil 1tbsp
• Garlic 1tsp(minced)
• Fresh mint leaves(minced) 1tsp
• Salt 1/4tsp

1. Whisk all & serve.

Salad:

• Cucumber
• Red onions
• Tomatoes
• Pickled onion
• Pickled carrots
• Fresh mint leaves

1. Cut all into bite size chunks & top it with the salad dressing.

For Salad Dressing:

• 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1tbsp lemon juice
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper.

1. Mix all & pour over the salad.

Enjoy!
Fareeha Furhan.