Shahi Kebab Appetizer – Sybaritica

This Shahi Kebab Appetizer features Ground Beef, prepared with an aromatically complex spice blend, and char-grilled Indian-style on skewers.

  • 1 lb ground Beef use regular, not lean;
  • 1 Egg;
  • 1 ½ tbsp. Flour use Besan, or chickpea flour, if possible;
  • 2 tbsp. Chili-Ginger-Garlic Paste;
  • 1 tbsp. Coriander Seed;
  • 1 tbsp. Cumin Seed;
  • 1 tbsp. White Poppy Seed;
  • 1 tsp. Fennel Seed;
  • 2 Cloves;
  • 1 tsp. Black Peppercorns;
  • 1 Black Cardamom pod;
  • 1 ½ tsp. powdered Red Chili Pepper;
  • ½ tsp. powdered Green Cardamom powder;
  • 1 tbsp. dried Fenugreek Leaf Methi;
  • 1 tsp. Sugar;
  • 1 tsp. Salt.
  • Individually toast the coriander, cumin, poppy and fennel seeds in a dry pan and grind them with the cloves, the peppercorns, and the seeds from the black cardamom.
  • Sift the above mix to remove any hard fragments, and then stir in the salt, sugar, red pepper powder, cardamom powder and fenugreek leaf.
  • Mix the meat with the Chili-Garlic-Ginger Paste and stir well in one direction only until the mixture becomes sticky.
  • Beat the egg, and add it to the meat and spice mixture along with the flour, stirring well (one direction only) until everything is nicely incorporated.
  • Form the meat into two separate balls and, if desired, place in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to allow the meat to firm up for easier handling.
  • Form each ball into a sausage shape around a skewer, and grill over medium heat until cooked through.
  • Slice each sausage obliquely and serve with a dip or chutney.