Kafta Shawarma with Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef (preferably with a little fat for extra juiciness)
• 1 white onion (finely chopped)
• 0.5 taza fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp seven spices (baharat) (or a mixture of allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper)
• salt (to taste)
• 4 garlic cloves (for the garlic sauce)
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil (to emulsify the garlic sauce)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (for the sauce)
• 4 unidades pita bread
• 2 tomato (sliced for serving)
• 1 red onion (julienned for serving)

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the chopped white onion, parsley, seven spices, and salt. Knead well with your hands until all ingredients are uniformly integrated.

2. 2

   Take portions of the meat mixture and form elongated cylinders (kaftas) around skewers or simply with your hands.

3. 3

   For the garlic sauce, process the garlic cloves with a pinch of salt and the lemon juice. Add the vegetable oil in a very slow stream while continuing to process until a thick and white emulsion is obtained, similar to mayonnaise.

4. 4

   Cook the kaftas on a very hot grill or pan with a little oil for 3-4 minutes per side, until well browned on the outside and cooked through.

5. 5

   Lightly warm the pita bread. Spread a generous amount of the garlic sauce in the center of the bread.

6. 6

   Place the kaftas over the sauce and add tomato slices and red onion to taste.

7. 7

   Roll the bread tightly to form the shawarma and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

If you don't have the Lebanese seven-spice blend, you can substitute it with a mixture of cumin, cinnamon, and black pepper. The key to the garlic sauce is patience when pouring the oil so it doesn't break.

Nutrition per serving

• shawarma
• kafta
• arabic
• dinner
• main course
• beef
• garlic