Persian Turkey Kebabs Recipes

KABOB KOOBIDEH (PERSIAN GROUND MEAT KABOBS)

Steps:

• Shave onions with a grater into a fine mesh strainer. Gently press pulp into the strainer to remove juices. Place pulp into the center of the cheesecloth and gently press until no further juice drips out.
• Place lamb and beef in a pot. Add green onion and onion pulp; mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in baking powder, salt, pepper, sumac, and turmeric. Add eggs and mix thoroughly. Cover the pot and place in the refrigerator until flavors have melded, at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Mold meat mixture onto the skewers.
• Cook on the preheated grill, rotating every minute, until nicely browned on all sides, and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 25 minutes.

TURKEY KOFTA KABOBS

Steps:

• Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Combine ground turkey, onion, garlic, cilantro, egg, chile pepper, coriander, paprika, chili powder, and salt together in a large bowl; mix thoroughly.
• Divide turkey mixture into twelve 1/4-cup portions, roll into log-shaped ovals, and place on a baking sheet.
• Grill ovals over indirect heat on middle rack, turning occasionally, until no longer pink in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

PERSIAN TURKEY KEBABS

Steps:

• Grate the onion and drain excess juices.
• Mix together the turkey, grated onion, egg, and remaining spices, EXCEPT the saffron threads.
• Heat a small skillet and slightly toast the saffron with pinch of salt.
• After the saffron becomes fragrant, move from heat to mortar and pestle and crush to fine powder (be careful not to burn the delicate threads).
• Add saffron to meat/spice mixture.
• Mix together until completely combined (2-3 minutes).
• Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• Form the mixture around metal or wooden kabab skewers (should make 8 - 10 skewers). Wet your hands in between to keep the meat from sticking. If the skewers are too hard to work with, you can simply form the kebabs without the skewers on to a lined baking sheet. Is using 99% fat free turkey this is the best option.
• Refrigerate again if the meat mixture becomes too loose and hard to work with.
• I prefer to broil these in the oven 8 minutes per side. Check after 4 minutes on first side to determine the length of your cooking.

PERSIAN BEEF KEBABS

Steps:

• Trim any excess fat from the steaks, cut into 1-inch cubes, and place in a large nonreactive bowl.
• Place onion, garlic, lime juice, salt, pepper, and saffron or cumin, in a food processor and process until smooth. Pour mixture over meat, toss to coat, cover and marinate 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
• When ready to cook, heat grill to medium heat (350 degrees F) and oil well. Thread meat on skewers, leaving at least 1/2-inch space between each piece of meat. In a small bowl and the tomatoes, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat thoroughly. Place meat and tomatoes on grill. Cook meat, turning once, until charred and medium-rare, about 7 to 10 minutes. Cook tomatoes, turning rarely, until blistered and soft, about 10 minutes.
• Remove meat from skewers and have guests assemble their own sandwiches with meat, tomatoes, lavash, yogurt, and cilantro.

TURKEY KUBIDEH (PERSIAN GROUND MEAT KABOB)

Steps:

• Peel onion, grate in food processor (or by hand, but it can get messy and teary).
• drain juice from onion - place onion into mixing bowl.
• Add all the other ingredients. mix well.
• divide result into 4 portions, and roll each into 9 inch long rolls, and skewer using metal skewers. Before skewering, check to see if the meat mixture breaks when bent. if it does, you'll need to add a little more flour and re-mix the meat mixture - otherwise it will fall off the skewer. Don't add too much flour. it's not a cake.
• grill the meat until done over medium heat.
• Serve over rice.