Shami kebab |
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| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Lucknow, India |
| Region or state | South Asia |
| Dish details | |
| Main ingredient(s) | Mutton, lamb or chicken, Cow Beef,chickpeas and spices |
Shami kebab ((Urdu: شامی کباب ), Hindi: शामी कबाब) or Shami Tikka ((Urdu: شامی تکہ ), Hindi: शामी टिक्का) is a popular Pakistani and Awadhi kebab, that is composed of small patty minced mutton or Beef, ground chickpeas and spices.
Shami kebabs are an extremely popular snack in Pakistan and They are often garnished with lemon juice and/or sliced raw onions, and are usually eaten with chutney made from mint or coriander. They are also served along with Sheer Khurma on Muslim Eid Days.
A variation of Shami kebab is also found in the Bangladeshi cuisine. The recipe is almost the same but it tastes different from the original version.
Contents |
Shami kebab literally means Syrian kebab (Sham) in Arabic. Some are of the opinion that these kebabs were introduced to South Asia during the Mughal era by Muslim emigrants from the Middle East. They had employed cooks from all over the Muslim world to serve in the royal kitchens. Some of the cooks were from Syria as well. The Sham refers to either Syria specifically or the Levant in general, and these kebabs literally means Syrian kebabs or Levantine kebabs in Arabic. The Shami kebab are also popular in Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.
Another source states that the word Sham is evening in Hindi[1] and Urdu[2] and Sham-e-Awadh, evening in Lucknow of yore since the time of Nawab regime.[3] A parochial perfumer from the Indian city of Kannauj offered an explanation linking the spices used with the seductive whiff of an Atr called Shamama.[3]
Shami kababs are boiled meat and chick pea lentils (chana daal) with whole hot spices (garam masala, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves bayleaf ), whole ginger, whole garlic and some salt to taste until completely tender .
Shami kebabs may be served with ketchup, hot sauce, chilli garlic sauce, raita (an Asian dip made of youghurt and some spices) or chutney.
