Recipe courtesy of Psychologies Magazine and taken from Berber & Q
Shish kebab is commonplace to all the cuisines across the Middle East. Most use chicken breast meat, but chicken thighs is good in this recipe for its juiciness and flavour.
Ingredients (Serves 2-4)
• 100ml buttermilk
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Garlic oil or olive oil
• 1 tbsp hot red pepper paste (biber salcasi))
• Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp coarse ground black pepper
• ½ onion, sliced
• 8 chicken thighs, deboned, skinned and quartered
• 2 green peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, peeled and quartered
• Pittas or flatbreads
• 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to brush
• 1 tbsp thinly sliced spring onion
• 1 tbsp picked oregano leaves
Step One – Put the buttermilk, spices, garlic, Garlic oil, red hot pepper paste, lemon zest and juice, salt, pepper and onion in a bowl and stir together to combine. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and massage the mixture into the chicken to ensure it’s evenly distributed. Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight.
Step Two – Skewer the chicken pieces intermittently with the red and green peppers and red onion. Warm up your barbecue so you are cooking on medium-hot embers. Grill the skewers directly over the burning coals, turning frequently to ensure both sides are well-coloured and the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Step Three – Brush the pitas or flatbreads with a little olive oil mixed with a few drops of water, and warm through briefly on the grill. They can be placed directly on top of the skewers if there isn’t sufficient room in the barbecue.
Step Four – Remove the pitas and transfer to a serving platter. Place the skewered chicken thighs on top, brushed with olive oil. Scatter the spring onion and oregano leaves liberally over the skewers.
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