My Favorite Traditional Turkish Recipe: İskender Kebap

Turkey has many famous dishes. But my favorite is İskender Kebap. It is thinly sliced grilled lamb over pita bread, topped with hot tomato sauce and sizzling butter. No trip to Bursa is complete without it.

1. Marinate the Meat

• Lamb or beef: 500g (thinly sliced)

• Onion juice: ¼ cup

• Milk: ½ cup

• Salt: 1 teaspoon

• Black pepper: ½ teaspoon

• Oregano: 1 teaspoon

• Marinate for 4-6 hours

2. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

• Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons

• Water: 1 cup

• Salt: ½ teaspoon

• Sugar: 1 pinch

• Simmer for 5-7 minutes until thick

3. Prepare the Bread

• Pita bread: 2 pieces

• Cut into small triangle pieces

• Arrange on serving plate

• Toasting optional (soft is traditional)

4. Cook the Meat

• Stack marinated meat slices on vertical skewer (or pan fry)

• Grill or pan cook until edges are crispy

• Slice meat very thin

• Keep warm

5. Assemble the Dish

• Place pita triangles on warm plate

• Spread yogurt on one side of plate

• Arrange sliced meat over pita

• Pour hot tomato sauce over meat

• Drizzle sizzling butter on top

6. Serve

• Garnish with fresh parsley

• Serve immediately (butter must be hot)

• Eat with fork and knife

• Extra butter and sauce on side (optional)