Ingredients:
- Minced beef, lamb, or a mixture (at least 25% fat): 800g
- Lamb tail fat or another animal fat, finely chopped (optional): 50g
- Onion, very finely chopped: 1
- Flat leaf parsley (without thick stalks), finely chopped: 30g
- Garlic cloves, finely chopped: 4
- Pul biber (Aleppo pepper): 1 tbsp
- Finely ground sea salt, more if using US kosher salt: 1 ¼ tsp
- Tomato paste: 25g
- Turkish sweet red pepper paste (tatlı biber salçası), or more tomato paste: 25g
- Boiling water: 200ml
- Long green Turkish peppers: a few
- Red onion, cut into wedges: 1
- Tomato, cut into wedges: 2
- Tea Rubs: 1 tablespoon (a blend of black tea leaves, paprika, ground cumin, and a pinch of sugar)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Tea Rubs: Mix the black tea leaves, paprika, ground cumin, and sugar to create your tea rubs. Crush the tea leaves lightly to incorporate them into the rubs.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (374°F). Grease a round or rectangular roasting tin of appropriate size.
- Mix the Meat: Place the minced meat on a large cutting board. Add the chopped fat (if using), onion, parsley, garlic, pul biber, and salt. Chop until well mixed, about 2-3 minutes.
- Form the Kebab: Place the meat in the roasting tin, pressing it into a large burger shape, filling the entire tin without compacting it too much.
- Prepare the Sauce: Mix the tomato paste, red pepper paste, and boiling water until homogeneous. Spread this sauce over the meat. Top with peppers and tomatoes in your desired pattern.
- Roast the Kebab: Roast in the middle of the oven until nicely colored and cooked through, 30-40 minutes.
- Serve: Allow the kebab to cool for a few minutes, then cut into portion-sized pieces and serve.
Tips:
- The tea rubs add a unique aroma and depth of flavor to the kebab, complementing the traditional flavors of Turkish cuisine.
- For a more authentic experience, serve with Turkish bread and a side of rice or grilled vegetables.
- This Turkish Kebab with Tea Rubs recipe is perfect for a special dinner or a gathering with friends and family. The addition of tea rubs creates a memorable and aromatic twist on a classic dish.