Shish Kabob
What is Shish Kabob?
Shish kabob (شیش کباب) is the classic skewered meat dish of the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus - chunks of marinated meat (lamb, chicken, or beef) threaded onto metal or wood skewers and grilled over high heat until the outside is charred and the inside is cooked through but still juicy. The word shish means "skewer" in Turkish, and the technique of grilling meat on a stick over fire is one of the oldest cooking methods in human history.
What distinguishes shish kabob from other grilled meat dishes is the marinade - typically a combination of yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and spices that tenderises the meat and builds the crust during grilling - and the precision of the cut. Uniform pieces cook evenly; uneven pieces don't, and the result is an overcooked exterior surrounding an undercooked interior. A well-made shish kabob is a study in simple perfection: good meat, right marinade, right heat, right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between shish kabob and seekh kabob?
Shish kabob uses chunks of whole marinated meat on a skewer. Seekh kabob uses ground meat pressed onto a skewer. Both are grilled; the texture and flavour profile are quite different. Shish has the firm, slightly chewy texture of well-grilled meat chunks; seekh has the softer, more uniform texture of seasoned ground meat.Shish kabob is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern and Central Asian grill culture.Shish kabob belongs to the wider tradition of Silk Road grilling. A garlic sauce is the standard accompaniment to all grilled kabob dishes at Naan Kabob.
See also: Shami Kabob, Chaplee Kabob, Skewer Cooking , Afghan Cuisine.
For grilled-over-flame Afghan chicken, try our Tandoori Chicken (18.99)orClassicChickenBreast(18.99) - marinated, charred, and served fresh off the grill.
