Iskender Kebab

Glenn suggested I try Iskender Curry, but I only could find recipes for Iskender Kebabs. I merged/tweaked a couple of Internet recipes to make a version of Iskender Kebabs.

Ingredients:

Meat and Marinade:

• 16 to 18 ounces  rib eye steak (I used pre-sliced Beef Loin Shabu Shabu - this amount serves 4 people)
• 1 large onion, grated
• 1.5 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Tomato Sauce:

• 1/2 large onion, diced small (3/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  

Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 or 2 cloves garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces Greek yogurt
• 2 or more tablespoons milk to thin
  
• 1/8 teaspoon dill weed
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1/8 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Za'tar spice blend (mix 1/8 teaspoon each of ground coriander, dried orergano, cumin, and thyme -- use only 1/4 teaspoon,  toss the rest on the marinating meat)
  

 

Additions for serving:

• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges and grilled (optional)
  
• 2  bell peppers, sliced, and roasted
• 1/2 large onion, sliced and sauted
• Turkish Pide bread or pita bread (I made the pide)
  

 

Possible Curry Sauce for Glenn:

• 2/3 cup Greek yogurt
  
• 1/3  milk
  
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon "kebab shop curry powder" (1/2 tablespoon coriander, 3/4 teaspoon cumin, 3/4 teaspoon tumeric)
  

 

Instructions:

1. Marinate the meat: 
2. Prepare the meat marinade a day ahead of time of cooking.
3. Grate the onion in a food processor and process until liquid. Squeeze all the onion juice into a non-metallic bowl and discard any remaining onion pulp.
4. Slice the meat thinly and then pound each slice with the back of a wooden spoon (or with a meat tenderizer). Aim for slices about 2” x 1.5” in size. (I did easy route, and used the shabu shabu cut from Costco)
5. Combine the onion juice and spices in a medium bowl or container with a lid. Stir in the meat slices and coat each piece with the marinade. Cover and seal the bowl and marinate overnight in the fridge.
   
   
   
   
6. Prepare the veggies:
7. Spray the bell peppers with some cooking spray, season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. 
8. Roast in the oven at 400 degrees until the are softened with a little char. (I roasted mine in the oven while baking the pide bread.)
   
   
   
   
9. Saute the slice onions in some olive oil with salt, pepper and some garlic powder.
   
   
10. Make the yogurt sauce sauce:
11.  Microwave the peeled garlic for about 30 seconds, then dice into fine pieces.
12. Mix the garlic, yogurt, milk, oil, and spices together in a small bowl with a lid
13. Let the yogurt dip sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to develop the flavor
    
    
14. Make the tomato sauce:
15. Saute the onion in the butter in an heavy sauce pan onntil the onion bits are soft
16. Add the tomato sauce and spices, heat until sauce reduces and thickens
    
    
17. Prepare for serving:
    
18. Cut  bread into 1 inch pieces (I used 1/2 of one bread for Doug and me)
19. Warm bread pieces -- in oven or toast or grill in butter (I may toast the bread next time)
    
20.  Drizzle a little olive oil on a skillet and quickly sear the meat slices on high heat; for about 1 to 2 minutes per side
    (for the thin sliced meat I had, only a minute or so per side was needed. I cooked the meat in stages, and only cooked 1/2 of the meat for 2 people)
21. Re-warm veggies as needed
22. Place the veggies on one part of the serving dish.
    
23. Place the bread pieces on the rest of the serving dish, drizzle a little tomato sauce on them, top with the meat, drizzle more tomato sauce on the meat, and drizzle some yogurt sauce on top. Serve immediately!
    

 

Carole's Notes:

We liked this!  There were multiple spices, and meat was tasty with the spices and sauces.

The recipe is adapted from https://ozlemsturkishtable.com/2015/12/home-style-iskender-kebab-in-tomatsauce-pita-bread-and-yoghurt/ and