Matt Davidsons Dartmouth Donair Meat Recipes

THE ORIGINAL DONAIR FROM THE EAST COAST OF CANADA

Steps:

• In a bowl, thoroughly mix together the ground beef, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Pack the spiced meat into a thick loaf shape, cover, and let rest in the refrigerator overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the meat loaf onto a baking sheet, and bake for 1 hour, flipping the loaf over halfway through cooking. Allow the meat loaf to cool so it holds together for slicing.
• Mix together the evaporated milk and white sugar in a bowl, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and then add the vinegar by teaspoons, mixing together after each addition, to taste. Refrigerate the sauce until serving.
• Slice the meat loaf into 1/4-inch thick slices, and brown the slices in a skillet over medium heat until both sides are brown and crisp, about 5 minutes per side.
• Sprinkle the pita bread rounds with a little water, and press each onto a heated skillet to warm up.
• To serve, place several slices of meat into a warmed pita bread, and spoon about 2 tablespoons of sauce over the meat. Roll the pita bread into a cone shape, wrap in aluminum foil to keep the sauce from dripping out, and serve.

NOVA SCOTIA STYLE DONAIR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a large baking pan with sides.
• Place beef, lamb, flour, salt, oregano, dry mustard, 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chile pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning in a bowl; knead all ingredients together with your hands until mixture is like a paste, about 10 minutes. Roll the meat mixture into a large loaf shape, and place into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Remove from oven; place meat on a drip rack until completely cool to allow juices and fat to drain. Refrigerate meat for 6 hours or overnight.
• Stir evaporated milk, sugar, and 2 teaspoons garlic powder together in a small bowl; gradually stir in vinegar just until mixture thickens.
• Slice donair meat into strips about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick. Fry meat strips in single-sandwich batches in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat begins to crisp at the edges; remove from pan. Quickly rub 1 pita round lightly with water; fry pita in same frying pan, turning once, just until warm, about 1 minute.
• Spread pita with about 1/2 tablespoons of sauce mixture, top with donair meat, and garnish with onion, tomato, and more sauce; repeat with remaining meat and pita.

DONAIR MEAT

Steps:

• Try to get your butcher to run the meat through the grinder a few times. A food processor will do the trick also.
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Knead for 20 minutes.
• Shape into two tightly formed loaves.
• Bake on broiler pan for 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cool loaves and slice into thick slabs.
• Meat can be frozen for future use. If (like me) you are not fortunate enough to own your own rotary-stick-cooker thing like the ones in the good shops, you may find that the inner parts of the loaf are not browned enough. This can be remedied by re-heating the meat in a frying pan. This browns it nicely and gives it that slightly chewier texture.

DONAIR MEAT SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For Meatloaf: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Knead for 20 minutes.
• Shape into two tightly formed loaves.
• Bake on broiler pan for 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cool loaves and slice thin.
• Meat can be frozen for future use.
• For Sauce: Stir canned milk, sugar and garlic powder until sugar is dissolved.
• Slowly add vinegar and continue mixing.
• Let sauce sit for at least one hour in refrigerator before using.
• For Sandwich: Heat thin sliced donair meat in a frying pan.
• Dip a pita bread in water and fry in frying pan to soften.
• Place a small amount of sauce on bread.
• Top with meat, chopped onions and tomatoes and finish off with more sauce.
• Roll up or serve open face on a plate.

DASH'S DONAIR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a cup or small bowl, mix together the salt, oregano, flour, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Place the ground beef in a large bowl, and use your hands to blend in the spice mixture. If you want the smooth texture of meat that you see in a real donair shop, you must do this in a steel mixing bowl and on a sturdy surface. Pick up the meat, and throw it down with force about 20 times, kneading it after each throw. This also helps the meat hold together better when you slice it.
• Form the meat into a loaf, and place it on a broiler pan. If you do not have one, a baking sheet will do.
• Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, turning the loaf over about half way through. This will ensure even cooking. Serve, or allow the meat to chill before slicing and reheating.
• To make the donair sauce, mix together the evaporated milk, sugar and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the white vinegar, adding 1 teaspoon at a time, until thickened to your desired consistency.

LEBANESE DONAIR

Steps:

• Place the sliced beef into a flat, ovenproof dish. Stir the red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, allspice, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, salt, tomatoes and garlic together in a bowl until well blended. Pour over the beef, turning slices to coat evenly. Cover, and refrigerate 4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Remove the cover from the dish with the beef, and cook in preheated oven until the meat is no longer pink, about 50 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, make the parsley sauce by mixing the parsley, sweet onion, and 1/2 cup olive oil together in a bowl. Place the tomatoes in a bowl, and set aside until needed.
• Make the tahini sauce by mixing the garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and water together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt.
• To serve, place the pita bread rounds on serving plates. Spoon some of the meat mixture down the center of each pita round. Top with the parsley mix, tomatoes, and tahini sauce. Roll up the sides of the pita bread around the filling, and serve.