Shawarma is the Middle Eastern version of a large vertical shish kebab known as doner kebab in Turkey and gyro in Greece. It's made by impaling layers of meat on an oversize spit with a flat base and roasting the meat in an upright rotisserie. There are at least three advantages to this singular method of cooking. The dripping fat bastes the meat below it; the meat is sliced to order (at least it should be) from the outside, which gives every customer a crusty end cut; and because the crusty meat slices are piled on pita bread with fresh vegetables, pickles, and tahini sauce, you get a whole meal—and a healthful one—in a single sandwich. Traditionally, shawarma was made with lamb, but more and more Israeli grill masters use thinly sliced chicken or turkey. Shawarma is easy to prepare if you have a vertical rotisserie, and somewhat more challenging to adapt to the home grill. But direct-grilling the turkey slices does give you a close approximation of the taste and texture of classic shawarma.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Arrange turkey cutlets in 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish. Spread onion slices in 13x9x2- inch glass baking dish. Mix turmeric, coarse salt, ground coriander, ground cumin, black pepper, white pepper, and hot paprika in small bowl. Sprinkle onion slices with 1 tablespoon spice mixture, then drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over, turning onions to coat both sides. Sprinkle remaining spice mixture over both sides of turkey cutlets, rubbing in spice mixture with fingertips to coat. Drizzle 4 tablespoons olive oil over turkey, turning cutlets to coat both sides. Cover and chill onions and turkey at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
Step 2
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush grill rack with oil. Brush pita breads with 2 tablespoons oil. Grill onion slices until tender, about 4 minutes per side. Grill turkey cutlets until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Grill pita breads until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer turkey cutlets and onion slices to cutting board and keep pita breads warm. Working in batches, stack several turkey slices and cut thinly crosswise. Repeat stacking and cutting with onion slices. Mix together turkey and onions in large bowl. Place 1 pita bread on each of 8 plates. Top with turkey-onion mixture, then Tomato Relish, Tahini Sauce, and eggplant and serve.
Step 3
*Eggplant packed in a pickling brine of water, vinegar, salt, herbs, and spices; sold at Middle Eastern markets.
