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Kebab khashkhash
Kebab khashkhash: Aleppo grilled lamb kebabs under a spicy tomato, garlic and parsley topping
In Aleppo's grill houses, kebab khashkhash comes to the table sizzling: long, juicy skewers of lamb mince with pepper paste and chilli, laid over flatbread and covered with a hot, chunky sauce of tomatoes, garlic, chilli and parsley that soaks into the bread. It is bold and fiery, eaten with grilled tomatoes and green chillies and a cold glass of ayran. Common mistake: using lean mince — kebabs need around 20% fat to stay juicy on the grill. Chef's tip: chill the shaped skewers for 30 minutes before grilling so the meat clings and doesn't slip off.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the kebabs
For the topping
To serve
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What you'll need
Fresh ingredients (6)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Knead 1 ½ lb lamb mince, 1 onion, 1 tbsp red pepper paste, 2 tsp Aleppo pepper, 1 tsp ground allspice and 1 ¼ tsp salt for 3 minutes until sticky. Divide into 8 and squeeze each around a flat skewer into a long kebab. Chill for 30 minutes.
30 minStep 2: For the topping, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a pan over a medium heat, fry 5 cloves garlic and 1 green chilli for 1 minute, then add 1 ⅛ lb ripe tomatoes and ½ tsp salt and simmer 10 minutes until saucy but still chunky. Stir in 1 oz flat-leaf parsley.
11 minStep 3: Grill the kebabs over hot charcoal or under a very hot grill for 8–10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until charred outside and cooked through to 160°F.
10 minStep 4: Lay 2 Arabic flatbread on a platter, slide the kebabs onto it and spoon the hot tomato topping over. Serve at once.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 610 kcal
- Protein
- 36 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 38 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kebab khashkhash take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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