Shoarma Spice Mix

Pets'R'us's Note:

Shoarma is so popular in Holland that you might forget it is from the Middle East! When we lived abroad I really missed it and tried to copy the spice mix that you can buy here in the shops. There are many makes and blends in the shops, they all taste different, now try the homemade mix! Note that there is no salt in the mix so do not forget to add with cooking, or if you give this as a gift to mention it. After you have tried this you can always make some changes to suit your own taste.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 small jar

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. If you have whole spices and the time, dry roast the cumin and coriander seeds in a frying pan for several minutes, let them cool and grind as fine as possible Mix everything together and put in a small jar Shoarma idea for 4: approx 1lb pork, lamb or chicken, cut meat in strips, add 1 tablespoon oil and lemon juice, 1 or 2 teaspoons of the spice mix, add salt to taste, mix and leave for a few hours or overnight.
2. If you like add some chopped onion, crushed garlic, chopped chili pepper and a chopped sweet pepper to the meat mix.
3. Fry or grill this until done.
4. Serve in a wrap or pita bread with a mayonnaise sauce, Tzatziki or try my Yoghurt Chutney (Yoghurt-chutney) and add some finely chopped cucumber to it.
5. Use for barbecues, marinades and so on.

Reviews

[Lorac]

This was worth waiting for! I marinated 3 boneless chicken breasts (pounded thin) overnight in 2 tbls of oil, 2 tbls of lemon juice and 3 tsp of Shoarma Mix. I pan fried the chicken in butter and served it with garlic green beans. There is no need to add any thing else, the lemon juice works magic with the spice mix. Shoarma Mix would make a wonderful gift as well as a special "secret" ingredient that will make your guests beg you for any recipe you make with it.

[zainab23]

We were really happy with the flavor of this chicken and would like to make again many times. I used all the spices mentioned except I added only 1/4 the amount of garlic powder and the other 3/4 onion powder from preference. I also added a small amount of cardamom and allspice and a table spoon of chicken curry spice mix. I sprayed an oven try with olive oil and sprinkled around half a finely cut onion sprinkled with some more of the spice, the the chicken on top and grilled in the oven. Once cooked I sprinkled with a little bit citric acid for some extra zing. Also I only marinated for one hour and it still turned out very nice. I served it with flat bread, mayonnaise, pickles, tomato, lettuce and french fries (put in the sandwich).

[Kim of MS]

This is a great mix. I was also in Holland for a time and missed shoarma when we returned state-side. I was buying the seasoning from a Dutch website and then found this recipe. I don't buy from Holland anymore. I like this one better. I have adjusted it a tiny bit. I cut the cinnamon down to 1/4 tsp and have added 1/2 tsp curry. Our shoarma sauce consists of equal parts mayonaise and plain yogurt with garlic powder and parsley added to taste. We use thin sliced pork loin cut in strips and add some lamb and usually put enough mix on the meat to really smell it. We broil the meat in a cast iron skillet and have in pitas with shredded lettuce and sauce. It is so good that our friends are always asking when we are making shoarma again.