Kuzu Şiş Recipe
Kuzu Şiş
Turkish Lamb Shish Kebabs
Submitted By: Taz
Ingredients:
2 lbs Boneless Leg of Lamb (Kuzu) - cut into 1 inch ‘cubes’
Marinade:
1 Medium Onion (Soğan)
6 cloves Fresh Garlic (Sarımsak)
Zest of 1 Lemon (Limon Kabuğu Rendesi)
Juice of 1 Lemon (Limon Suyu)
¼ Cup Plain Full Fat Yogurt (Yoğurt)
¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Zeytinyağı)
½ tsp Cumin Powder (Kimyon Tozu)
½ tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper (Karabiber)
½ tsp Dried Rosemary (Biberiye)
¼ tsp Aleppo Pepper (Halep Biberi) - can substitute cayenne pepper if desired
⅛ tsp Dried Thyme (Kuru Kekik)
-OPTIONAL-
1-2 tsp Urfa Pepper Flakes (Urfa Biber) - if you want them spicy
Preparation:
- Place the onion, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the work bowl of a small food processor or blender and blitz into a smooth purée - Add the remaining marinade ingredients and blitz until a smooth paste
- Transfer to a large bowl and fold in the lamb ‘cubes’ making sure all are well coated and covered
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for a minimum 2 hours (overnight for better results)
- Once the lamb has marinated for the desired time, thread 4-6 lamb ‘cubes’ onto metal or soaked wooden skewers making sure that the pieces are touching but not tightly pressed together
- You can grill your Kuzu Şiş OR use the oven broiler:
- To Grill: Ready your grill with a hot fire (450-650°F) - Once ready, grill your Kuzu Şiş flipping frequently until they have developed a slight char and are cooked trough to your liking (apx 8-12 minutes for medium rare) - Remove from heat and serve immediately
- Oven Broiler: Use a broiler pan OR Line a baking sheet with foil and add a wire rack - Place your Kuzu Şiş about 1 inch apart - Set an oven rack at the top most position (apx 4 inches from the broiler) and set your oven to high broil - Place the broiler pan/baking sheet directly below the broiler and allow to cook 2-3 minutes - Turn your Kuzu Şiş a quarter of a turn and allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes - Repeat until all sides have developed a slight char and are cooked trough (apx 10-12 minutes total for medium rare) - Remove from heat and serve immediately
- Serve hot along with warmed Turkish flat bread (Bazlama) or pita, some charred tomatoes, onion, and chiles, Piyaz Salata (Turkish white bean salad) or Patates Salatası (Turkish Potato Salad), a side of Cacik (Turkish yogurt sauce) or Toum (Garlic Sauce), and rice for a complete meal
