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Tandoori Seekh Kebab

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ByNiloufer Mavalvala,Cookbook author, home cook & keeper of Parsi food heritage
ByNiloufer Mavalvala
Cookbook author, home cook & keeper of Parsi food heritage
Tandoori Seekh Kebabs grilling over glowing red charcoal

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This particular kebab is named after the tools used for their preparation – the tandoor and the skewer or ‘seekh.’

Prepared from finely ground beef (with some fat to keep the moisture), seekh kebabs are a native of the northern half of Pakistan extending into the north of India as well. The traditional method is to grind the meat against a stone with a smaller stone – much like the mortar and pestle or a Masala No Pathar (spice-stone) – until it is completely macerated to a fine pulp, using water, ghee or butter, milk or cream to help it along so the final product is soft. Once cooked it should almost melt in the mouth, in spite of it being a meat dish.

Masala No Pathar (spice-stone)
Masala No Pathar (spice-stone)

As important as the method of preparing the meat is the method of cooking. Tandoors and open fires are the best options. The aroma of coal enhances flavor, and high temperature and quick cooking time caramelize the surface of the kebabs.

Tandoori Chicken Wings
Tandoori Chicken Wings   Courtesy photo

The metal skewer itself emits enough heat within the kebab to cook the meat, while keeping it soft and pinkish. The blazing heat from the outside is meant to crisp and caramelise just the outer kebab forming almost a “skin” to keep the kebab together. The true art of a good seekh kebab is how well one manages to skewer it on the seekh; the thinner you can keep the kebab the faster it will cook, the softer and moister the end result.

There are many types of kebabs found in old traditional food of the Persians, Indian, Pakistanis, Afghanis, Turks and the Middle East regions of the world. The choice of herbs and spices as well as the shape and size mainly defines the ‘type’ of kebab it is. Kebabs can be made up of any kind of meat, chicken, vegetables and even paneer/cottage cheese. While the meat kebab can be either minced or in pieces as a whole, the vegetable and paneer kebabs are generally cubed and threaded on skewers.  

There are plenty of types of Kebabs that can be described as old traditional food of the Persians, Indian, Pakistanis, Afghanis, Turks and the Middle East regions of the world. A commonly prepared and mainly considered a timeless street food, the kebab continues to be just as popular today. From food trucks to cafes, fine dining and hotel restaurants, everyone seems to have it on their menu. The choice of herbs and spices as well as the shape and size mainly defines the ‘type’ of kebab it is. Kebabs can be made up of any kind of meat, chicken, vegetables and even paneer/cottage cheese. While the meat kebab can be either minced or in pieces as a whole, the vegetable and paneer kebabs are generally cubed and threaded on skewers.

About the author

Born and raised in Karachi, with London, Toronto and Dubai all part of her life, Niloufer has travelled extensively. Passionate about culture through its cuisine she enjoys all cuisines of the world. Self taught, her experience through the years has driven her to write a blog NiloufersKitchen.com and publish four Parsi cookbooks – receiving 6 awards. She strongly believes that while we are identified by race, religion and colour, we share the tightest bonding through food. Her umpteen zoom demos through this pandemic have picked up momentum worldwide making #revivinganancientcuisine one recipe at a time her priority. Niloufer runs regular cookery lessons via Zoom and in her home kitchen. Follow her on instagram @nilouferskitchen

Courtesy photo

Niloufer Mavalvala

Niloufer Mavalvala

Niloufer is a cookbook author and cooking instructor with a great passion for food and a love of world travel.

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