Instant Replay

This Sunday during Super Bowl XLVI there will be that one game winning play that will become legendary and replayed over and over. But, I figure why wait until kick off, it's time to Know Your Fire right now with my favorite-fan-picks instant replay of these super recipes for this weekend's Gameday! BTW, I have an extra recipe for your secret play on the grill, my Adana kebabi!

One of the oldest cooking techniques in existence, the art of grilling meat on a skewer was derived from medieval Turkish soldiers who used their swords to cook meat over open fires. An Adana kebabi from the south of Turkey is a savory mixture of minced lamb, cumin, cayenne, black pepper, dried oregano and mint. The meat is shaped into a long cylindrical shape like a long hot dog or sausage, then pierced onto a long metal skewer and grilled in one piece. It is served removed from the skewer and cut up.

Adana is named after the 5th largest city in Turkey, Adana. There are very strict guidelines and inspections that must be passed by The Adana Chamber of Commerce in order to be an authentic Adana kebabi vendor.

Adana kebabi has to be made from the meat of a male lamb. The skewered meat, must be roasted on fireless, charcoal embers exclusively from oak wood. The skewers are frequently turned during grilling using caution so the melting fat is not dripped on the embers causing a flair up. The Adana is served on flat bread by pressing the meat off the skewers after cooking; when wrapped and served in a flat bread, it's called a Dürüm. Authentic accompaniments served with adana include; charred tomatoes, green or red peppers, onions and parsley seasoned with sumac or lemon pepper seasoning, and warm hummus.

Adana or Kiyma Kebabi

Makes 4 servings | recipe by Chef George Hirsch
1 pound ground lamb or ground beef 
1/4 teaspoon ground red (cayenne) pepper
1/2 teaspoon each; ground cumin, dried oregano
1 Tablespoon each: fresh parsley and fresh mint
1 egg white
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Pinch Sea salt
Olive oil
2 fresh lemons, quartered
Fresh Mint 
1 cup plain Greek yogurt, optional

Mix the meat with the cayenne, cumin, oregano, parsley, mint, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. Add the egg white and continue to combine until the mixture is well blended.

Grease skewers with cooking spray or oil. If possible, use long, flat metal skewers. Divide the meat mixture into 2-4 (depending on the length of skewer), 2 inch wide thick sausage shapes. Push the skewer through the middle, lengthwise, and squeeze the mixture up and down the skewer, spreading it evenly. Repeat with the other skewer. 

Cover and place in refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. This will help the meat hold together. When ready to grill, brush the outside of meat with olive oil.

Preheat the grill to high. 

Place skewers on very hot grill. Grill 5 minutes, turning frequently, or until cooked through. Serve immediately with sides of yogurt, fresh lemon, fresh chopped mint, and an onion & parsley salad.

Horchata

Although Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday celebrated in Mexico, in the US it has become a day of celebrating Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo was commemorated in the late 1880s in the US - and naturally food and drink made their way to the center of the celebration. We've all had margaritas, cervezas, guacamole, salsas + tortilla chips, but there's also a popular border-town beverage called horchata that deserves to be part of the celebration. 

Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage that looks and tastes like milk, but it's rice-based. It is best served over ice. This sweet beverage has many variations (depending on Spain or Latin American influence) and can be flavored with almonds, cinnamon, sesame seeds, and vanilla. This beverage is good news for the lactose-intolerant, but better yet a perfect drink to finish-off spicy Mexican food; supposedly good for the stomach. 

You can find horchata commonly served at Mexican restaurants or taquerias - on the menu under aguas frescas. Making horchata from scratch at home is also an option, but it is a very long process requiring a few days to make the rice-based milk. I suggest shopping in a Spanish market for good quality bottled versions or fine organic instant mixes.

For more Cinco de Mayo food ideas:

Mexican Calzone
George’s ’60 Second Guacamole
Tomatillo Sauce
George's Salsa Fresca