The Levantine Shish Tawook

When the sun goes down, a yummy smell fills the air. It’s the scent of cooking spices and bbq meat. Come on and travel with me to the world of Shish Tawook, a favorite dish from the Middle East that has sweetened tongues around the world.

Shish Tawook, a signature delicacy of the Levant region, is more than just a meal – it’s a cultural experience. Imagine tender cubes of chicken, marinated to a blend of tantalizing spices, grilled to a mouthwatering char and served with a rich, creamy garlic sauce. This dish is a symphony of flavors, each element harmonizing to create a truly unforgettable dining experience. But Shish Tawook is not just about the chicken. It’s a complete sensory delight, with the refreshing crunch of a vibrant fattoush salad, the tartness of a sumac-laced dressing, and the contented crunch of crisp pita chips. The interplay of these components creates a culinary masterpiece that transports you to the bustling streets of Beirut or the serene courtyards of Damascus. Sure you know that feeling, right?

Making a yummy Shish Tawook is in the sauce. Mix yogurt, cinnamon or cardamom and some lemon juice all up. This gives the chicken so much flavor that’s out of this world! Grilling it makes it juicy and tender. To finish it off, make a garlic sauce with some garlic, olive oil, and lemon. This sauce gives it an extra burst of flavor that’s sure to please you!

Shish Tawook

Recipe by Vernon AlstonCourse: Main DishCuisine: Middle Eastern/Levantine

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

45

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

350

kcal

This recipe will yield 4 main dish servings, with 3-4 skewers per serving along with the fattoush salad and garlic sauce. Adjust the amounts as needed to feed more or fewer people.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken Marinade:

• 6 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 4 cups plain yogurt

• 12 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon

• 4 tsp ground cardamom

• 4 tsp paprika

• 4 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper
  

• For the Garlic Sauce:

• 1 cup olive oil

• 24 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 1 tsp salt
  

• For the Fattoush Salad:

• 4 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

• 4 cucumbers, diced

• 4 tomatoes, diced

• 2 red onions, thinly sliced

• 4 cups pita chips

• 1/2 cup chopped parsley

• 1/2 cup chopped mint

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 4 tsp sumac

• 1 tsp salt

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
• Make the garlic sauce by whisking together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large salad bowl, combine all the fattoush salad ingredients and toss gently to mix.
• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto 12-16 metal or wooden skewers.
• Grill the chicken skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
• Serve the grilled Shish Tawook skewers immediately, accompanied by the garlic sauce and the fattoush salad. Enjoy!

About Yummy Tips and Tricks

Chicken Marinade Tips:

• Use chicken wit no bones an’ skin for the juiciest ‘n most flavorful.
• Marinate it for at least 30 mins, but up to 4 hrs for the most flavor. This lets the flavors soak in real good.
• Put some yogurt in the marinade ’cause it helps the chicken get tender.
• Use spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and paprika from the Middle East for true taste.
• Use fresh lemon juice for tanginess.
• Don’t forget the garlic – it’s crucial for the classic Shish Tawook taste.

Grilling Tips:

• Turn heat on grill or grill pan to medium-high. Wait till best char.
• Put chicken on skewers, leave space between pieces.
• Cook skewers on grill 8-10 mins, turn sometimes. Chicken should be juicy inside with charred outside.

Garlic Sauce Tips:

• Use real nice extra virgin olive oil for the garlic sauce.
• Chop up the garlic real fine so it infuses real good.
• Add a little bit of lemon juice to even out the oil’s richness.
• Just a pinch of salt so the garlic is the star.

Fattoush Salad Tips:

• Use good salad stuff like romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
• Add nice herbs like parsley and mint.
• Use crispy things like pita chips or toast.
• Put lemony juice, olive oil, and sumac on it.
• Mix the salad just before eating to keep chips crunchy.

Shish Tawook is not just a dish – it’s a culinary tradition that has been passed down through generations, a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Levant region. Whether you’re enjoying it in a bustling street-side eatery or recreating the flavors in your own kitchen, this dish has the power to transport you to a world of vibrant colors, sizzling spices, and unforgettable taste.

So, the next time you’re craving a culinary adventure, let Shish Tawook be your guide. Indulge in the flavors of the Middle East and let your taste buds be your passport to a world of gastronomic delights.

Vernon Alston

Vernon Alston, a former chef, is an extraordinary personality with a rich history of food and a creative cooking style. Being the one for Vernon high proficiency in pro cuisine and also thanks to the years of his experience, he has succeeded in enhancing his skills, thus, deputtering the reputation of him as a chef, who is league in creating unforgettable dishes.