1 delicious shawarma in Panama City

Making a good beef shawarma, Turkish style, involves marinating the meat, preparing the accompanying sauce, and assembling the final dish. Here’s a simple recipe for you:

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

• 1.5 to 2 pounds of thinly sliced beef (you can use sirloin or flank steak)
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Water (to adjust the consistency)

For Serving:

• Pita bread or flatbreads
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced cucumbers
• Chopped lettuce
• Sliced red onions
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Sumac (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef:

1. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
3. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for more flavor.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt.
2. Add water gradually and stir until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

3. Cook the Beef:

1. Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the marinated beef slices for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are cooked to your liking.

4. Assemble the Shawarma:

1. Warm the pita bread or flatbreads.
2. Spread a generous amount of the tahini sauce on the bread.
3. Place the cooked beef slices on top of the sauce.
4. Add sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, lettuce, and fresh parsley.
5. Optionally, sprinkle some sumac on top for extra flavor.

5. Serve:

Roll up the bread with all the delicious fillings, creating a shawarma wrap. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Turkish-style beef shawarma!

Feel free to customize the recipe based on your preferences, and don’t hesitate to experiment with additional spices or herbs to suit your taste.

More information here.