17 Turkish Sheftalia Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!
Published on: Mar 7, 2024
Sheftalia, also known as şeftali kebabı, is a popular Cypriot dish that has gained popularity in Turkey and other parts of the world. It is made with a combination of minced meat, onions, herbs, and spices, and is typically grilled or fried. This dish is loved for its delicious flavor and juicy texture, and is often served as an appetizer or as part of a main course. In this article, we will take a closer look at the traditional Turkish sheftalia recipe and learn how to make it at home.
What better way to kick off our list of top Turkish recipes than with a delicious twist on a classic treat. These Turkish coffee shortbread cookies are the perfect combination of buttery, crisp shortbread and rich, flavorful Turkish coffee. They make for a great afternoon snack or a sweet ending to any meal.
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Greek Yogurt Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama)
Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Dried Yeast, Sugar, Greek Style Yogurt
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Sheftalia in Cyprus Pita
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Main Ingredients: Ground Lamb, Egg, Garlic, Ground Cumin, Ground
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Main Ingredients: Yufka Dough, Olive Oil, Small Onion, Spinach, White
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Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)
Main Ingredients: Greek Yoghurt, Fresh Dill, Mint Leaves, Garlic Clove
Last but certainly not least, we have another delicious Turkish egg dish – cilbir. This dish consists of poached eggs served in a creamy yogurt sauce, then topped with a spicy butter sauce and fresh herbs. It's a flavorful and satisfying breakfast option.
The Ingredients You Will Need
To make authentic Turkish sheftalia, you will need ground lamb or beef, diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, water, and pita bread. These ingredients can easily be found at your local grocery store or market, and they are essential in creating the perfect flavor for sheftalia.
Choosing the Meat
When it comes to choosing the meat for your sheftalia, you have the option of using either lamb or beef. While both are delicious, lamb is the more traditional choice and is believed to give the dish a more authentic flavor. However, if you are not a fan of lamb or cannot find it, you can still use beef and achieve a tasty result.
Mixing the Ingredients
To make the sheftalia mixture, you will need to combine the ground meat, diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. It is important to mix the ingredients thoroughly to ensure that all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Forming the Sheftalia
After mixing the ingredients, you will need to form the sheftalia into small, flattened oval-shaped patties. This can be done by hand, but if you prefer a more uniform shape, you can use a burger press or a cookie cutter. The patties should be about 1 inch thick and 2-3 inches in length.
Cooking the Sheftalia
Traditionally, sheftalia is cooked on a grill, giving it a smoky and charred flavor. However, it can also be cooked in a pan or on a griddle. Whichever method you choose, make sure to cook the sheftalia for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are fully cooked and slightly charred.
Serving Suggestions
Turkish sheftalia is often served as an appetizer, accompanied by pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and lemon wedges. However, it can also be served as a main course, with a side of rice and a salad. Some people also like to wrap the sheftalia in pita bread, along with some salad and sauce, to make a delicious sandwich.
In Conclusion
Sheftalia is a delicious and versatile dish that has become a favorite among Turkish cuisine lovers. With its juicy and flavorful meat, it is sure to be a hit at any meal. Give this traditional Turkish sheftalia recipe a try and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills!
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