Best Turkish Braised Lamb Tas Kebap Recipes

TAS KEBAP (A GREEK BEEF OR LAMB STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium neat until hot and saute the cubes of meat, in batches, until browned; remove with a slotted spoon as the meat browns.
• In the oil in which you have just browned the meat, add the onions and garlic and saute until just starting to turn golden, about 6-7 minutes; return the meat to the saucepan.
• Add the pureed tomatoes, sugar, wine, parsley, cinnamon, oregano, bay leaf and cloves and season to taste; cover pot and simmer on low until meat is fork-tender- this could take anywhere from 1 to 1 1/2 hours; fish out the 2 cloves; if, at any time, the gravy has reduced too much (there should always be some thick liquid), add hot water in 1/4 cupfuls.
• You should be left with very tender meat in a thick, rich sauce, into which the onions have melted.
• Serve with a rice ring: molded buttered rice, cooked egg noodles, french-fried potatoes or Hunkar Begendi (recipe#95402).

TURKISH KEBABS

Steps:

• To make the marinade:
• Mix together the garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, spices, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste.
• To prepare the kebabs:
• Add the meat to the marinade and toss. Let marinate for at least 2 hours.
• Prepare a charcoal fire in an outdoor grill, switch on the gas if you have an outdoor gas grill, or preheat the broiler to high.
• Thread the meat onto 7 long skewers and the tomatoes onto an eighth one. Grill over high heat or broil 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the meat and tomatoes are done to your liking. Slip the meat and tomatoes off the skewers onto flatbread and serve immediately.

TURKISH BRAISED LAMB (TAS KEBAP)

Steps:

• Trim and cut meat into 2 cm (3/4 inch) cubes.
• Heat 1/2 the olive oil in a heavy pan and brown meat quickly on each side.
• Transfer to a plate.
• Add remaining olive oil, onion, garlic and sweet pepper.
• Fry gently until onion is transparent.
• Add tomato and water.
• Stir well, and add bahrat or allspice, salt and pepper to taste and most of the parsley.
• Return lamb to pan, cover and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours or until lamb is tender and sauce is thickened.
• Very good on a bed of Turkish Wedding Pilaf (Dugun Pilav).
• Sprinkle hot meat with reserved chopped parsly before serving.

SLOW-ROASTED TURKISH LAMB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut lamb shoulder into 2 or 3 pieces, and place in a shallow 12-by-14-inch roasting pan or similar. Season generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with red pepper, if desired.
• Rub meat with olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. Tuck thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, garlic cloves and onion halves here and there. Place in oven, uncovered, and roast for 30 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.
• Turn meat browned-side down and add 2 cups of water to the pan. Cover tightly with foil or lid. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Cook, covered, until meat is absolutely fork tender and beginning to fall apart, about 3 1/2 hours total. Uncover during last 30 minutes of cooking if you want to brown the meat a bit more.
• Remove meat to a cutting board. Pour pan juices into a skillet (discard herbs and garlic). Skim and discard excess fat from surface. Bring to a boil and simmer until about a cup remains.
• Chop or shred meat into 1-inch chunks or rough slices. Transfer to a warm platter and pour juices over. (Alternatively, leave meat in pan with reduced juices until ready to serve.) Garnish with persimmon and pomegranate (if using), parsley, mint and lemon wedges. Serve yogurt on the side.

GRILLED LAMB KEBABS WITH TURKISH FLAVORS

Steps:

• Build a two-level fire in your grill by putting all the coals on one side. When the flames have died down and the coals are medium-hot (you can comfortably hold your hand 6" above the grill for 3-4 seconds), you're ready to cook.
• Trim the lamb of most of the fat and cut into 32 more or less equal chunks. Combine in a bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil and salt and pepper to taste; toss well to coat.
• Thread the lamb chunks onto skewers (8 or so per skewer) and place directly over the coals. Cook, turning, until done to your liking, about 8 minutes total for medium-rare.
• When the lamb is done, slide the chunks off the skewers into a large bowl, then add apricots, Maras pepper, garlic, mint, remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, and more salt and pepper to taste and toss vigorously. Serve warm.