Trompo Style Shawarma

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp salt
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp turmeric
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 2 tbsp cumin
• 2 tbsp coriander
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 20 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 0.25 cup neutral oil (estimated quantity)
• 2 lemon juice (juice of 2 whole lemons)
• 1 onion (whole, sliced (referred to as asshole root))

Steps

1. 1

   In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons each of salt, garlic powder, turmeric, paprika, cumin, and coriander.

2. 2

   Add 1 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and ground cloves to the spice mix and whisk everything together until thoroughly combined.

3. 3

   Place 20 chicken thighs into a very large bowl.

4. 4

   Pour the entire batch of shawarma spice over the chicken.

5. 5

   Add a splash of neutral oil and the juice of two whole lemons to the bowl.

6. 6

   Add one whole sliced onion to the chicken mixture.

7. 7

   Put on gloves (to prevent turmeric staining) and mix the chicken thoroughly by hand until every piece is evenly coated in the marinade.

8. 8

   Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.

9. 9

   Prepare the trompo (vertical rotisserie) by stabbing the metal rod through a thick slice of onion to serve as the base.

10. 10

    Thread the marinated chicken thighs onto the rod, stacking them flat on top of each other until the rod is full.

11. 11

    Place the chicken stack into the vertical rotisserie machine and roast until the outer layer is deeply browned and cooked through.

12. 12

    Carve off the outer layer of roasted meat with a sharp knife. If the inner meat is still raw, continue roasting and carving in layers.

13. 13

    Serve the carved chicken in a bowl or pita with rice, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, red onion, banana peppers, tzatziki, and sriracha mayo.

Notes

The author uses colorful language for ingredients: 'asshole root' refers to onion, 'rabbit food' to lettuce, 'Olaf nose' to carrots, and 'purple asshole root' to red onion. A vertical rotisserie machine is required for the 'trompo' style, but the marinated chicken can also be grilled or pan-seared if a rotisserie is unavailable.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• shawarma
• rotisserie
• middle eastern
• high-protein
• dinner