Shami kebab is a small patty of meat mixed with spices and fillings, commonly known as an Indian or Pakistani dish. It is made with minced meat, chickpeas, lentils, and various spices, and can be served with rice and side dishes. The origin of the dish is disputed, but it has become popular in many countries around the world.
A shami kebab is a small patty of meat mixed with fillings and spices. This dish has an unspecified origin, but is commonly known as an Indian or Pakistani dish, although other regions also include this fare on local menus. The shami kebab is part of a larger category of kebabs that feature minced meats of various shapes, served with side dishes and side dishes, in traditional South Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine.
The most commonly used meat for shami kebabs is mutton or beef, with beef being a favorite with many cooks. This meat is minced and mixed with chickpeas, lentils or other fillers. Various spices are also included. Of the many spices used for shami kebab, cumin is a favorite, in addition to cardamom, usually ground from the larger whole seed. Other spices can also be used, such as peppercorns, ginger or even cinnamon. The colorful regional spice made from turmeric root makes an appearance in a number of recipes for this dish, as does the garam masala spice mix that is popular in Indian cooking.
Shami kebab can be served with a variety of side dishes, including rice. In some dishes, lemon juice and raw onions form complementary taste sensations to the meaty kebab. Some versions of this dish also call for a chutney or sauce that uses green herbs for more complex tastes. These additional sauces often contain mint or coriander for a fresh taste. The use of such herbs represents traditional elements of regional cuisine in many places where shami kebab could be authentically served.
The shami kebab is not unique in its use of these combinations of ingredients. A similar mess called falafel uses just chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative for this entrepreneur. Similarly, vegetable balls called korma are also popular as exports of Indian cuisine to countries around the world.
The origin of the shami kebab is disputed. Experts point out that shami in Arabic is a reference to Syria or the Levant. Others speculate that the word may have a South Asian meaning. Whatever the source of this dish, it has become a menu favorite wherever kebabs are offered, in a growing number of countries around the world where world cuisine is in high demand. Large numbers of emigrant cooks operating authentic restaurants in foreign locations add to the growing familiarity of these types of menu items in areas where they were not previously understood, for example, in the Americas. Understanding the precise ingredients for a specific kebab dish can help food enthusiasts learn more about the general cuisine in places they may not be familiar with.
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