MAIN INGREDIENTS
Sfiha, or lahm bil ajĩn (lit. meat on dough) is an Arabic specialty that dates back to the 15th century, when it first appeared in today's Eastern Lebanon. The traditional open-faced meat pie is popular throughout the Arab region, its main ingredients usually including minced lamb (or lamb), chopped onions and tomatoes, spices, olive oil, and yogurt.
Originally, the dish was prepared by stuffing ground lamb and spices in brined grape leaves, but it evolved over time. Sfiha is also popular in Brazil and Argentina, where it was brought over by Levantine immigrants. It is usually consumed hot as a snack, accompanied by tahini sauce or a bowl of yogurt, while pomegranate seeds, coriander, or chopped cucumbers are often used as garnishes.
VARIATIONS OF Sfiha
MOST ICONIC Sfiha
Other than serving styles and accompanying ingredients, there really isn't much difference between this Turkish classic and Arab shawarma, or Greek gyros, as all three preparations include barbecued meat, spit-roasted over coals. However, making şiş tavuk includes marinating chicken for at least several hours in a mixture of olive oil, lemon, and garlic before roasting.
The delicious Turkish chicken kebab is typically accompanied by various sauces and fresh vegetables, along with pita bread and a side of either rice or couscous.
MOST ICONIC Şiş tavuk
Shish is the most famous kebab variety consisting of pieces of meat on a skewer that is grilled over a fire. The dish originated with the nomadic tribes who used to marinate the meat in order to tenderize it and to get rid of the gamey flavors.
The marinades include any combination of lemon juice, olive oil, milk, yogurt, cinnamon, allspice, and various other spices. Authentic Turkish shish kebab is rarely prepared with vegetables on the same skewer, and it has been suggested by numerous food writers that grilling the vegetables and meat on a same skewer is a modern invention by Turkish restaurateurs to make the skewers look more visually appealing to customers.