Iskender Kebab Recipe

Iskender Kebab is a traditional Turkish dish made with thinly sliced lamb or beef, served over pieces of pita bread, and topped with a rich tomato sauce and melted butter. It's often accompanied by yogurt and grilled vegetables.

Ingredients

For the doner kebab:

• 500g. tenderloin meat
• 500g. ground meat

For the meat marinade:

• 1 medium onion
• 2 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tsp black pepper, ground red pepper
• 1 tsp oregano (optional)
• about 4-5 tbsp olive oil

For the ground beef marinade:

• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 medium onion

For the tomato sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp each butter and tomato paste
• 2 grated tomatoes
• Salt, black pepper and paprika to taste
• Enough hot water to make a thick sauce

For serving:

• Pita bread or rice
• Yogurt
• Grilled vegetables (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat: Slice the cooked doner-style beef or lamb into thin strips. If using pre-cooked doner, gently reheat in a pan or oven until warm and slightly crispy on the edges.
2. Make the Tomato Sauce: In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add butter and tomato paste, stirring until melted. Add grated tomatoes, salt, black pepper, paprika, and enough hot water to achieve a thick sauce consistency. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Prepare the Yogurt: In a bowl, mix yogurt with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Set aside.
4. Toast the Bread: Lightly toast pita bread or rice in a pan until warm and slightly crispy.
5. Assemble the Dish: Place the toasted bread or rice on a serving plate. Top with sliced meat, then pour the tomato sauce over it.
6. Add Butter & Yogurt: Drizzle melted butter over the dish and add a dollop of prepared yogurt on the side.
7. Optional Garnish: Add grilled peppers and tomatoes on the side for a traditional touch.

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Nutrition

The table below shows nutritional values per serving without the additional fillings:

Nutrition Facts	Value
Calories	~850 kcal
Protein	~45 g
Total Fat	~55 g
Cholesterol	~160 mg
Carbohydrates	~45 g
Sodium	~1200 mg
Calcium	~180 g
Iron	~6 mg