Shawarma is like the ultimate on the go meal and I have been craving for one for a long time. I tried many of the Middle Eastern restaurants nearby but in vain. So what do we do??? Yes, we make it ourselves. And, to my surprise it came out pretty good...Nothing compared to the traditional Shawarma of course!
Nevertheless, it did give me complete satisfaction when I bit into that juicy meaty and most delicious wrap. I added all my favorite toppings from pickled beets and carrots to French fries. Who is going to stop me right?
INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE MARINADE:
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into thin strips
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1/2tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp chilies powder more if u want it spicy
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• juice from 1 lemon
FOR THE SAUCE:
• 1 cup tahini (available in any middle eastern super market)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
PITA FILLINGS:
• 8 loaves of pita bread
• thinly slice cucumbers
• thinly sliced onions
• thinly sliced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• pickle slices l(green chilies thinly sliced, beets or carrots
• French fries
• Chopped lettuce
USE any of your favorite fillings
METHOD:
Preparing the chicken
• Combine all the ingredients under marinade with the chicken strips and keep it covered in the refrigerator at least for two hrs…the more the better.
• In a heated pan, add some olive oil and cook the chicken on medium heat until its cooked well .Do not let it dry out. It should be juicy! Remove and keep aside.
FOR THE SAUCE
Combine all the ingredients under sauce and keep aside
ASSEMBLING:
• Take a pita bread and spread the tahini sauce over it (can add hot sauce if u want it to be a little spicy)
• Add some chicken strips, some of your favorite filling and roll like you would roll burritos and you have your own Shawarma!!!
