The translation of this kebab’s name might be “Ali-polite,” which could sound unusual if seen on an English menu at a Turkish restaurant. However, the name actually comes from the Ottoman phrase “ala nazik”, which translates to “delightful dish.” Despite its humble name, this kebab is simple yet incredibly satisfying. It’s a specialty of the southeastern Gaziantep province. The meat topping can vary depending on where it’s served, both in size and type, though it’s usually lamb chopped into small pieces. In this version, minced beef is used to make it more accessible, but it’s worth trying different variations as well!
Ingredients:
• 1 onion
• 300 grams diced beef (or lamb)
• 4 roasted eggplants
• A few cloves of garlic (to taste)
• 4 tablespoons yogurt (or more to taste)
• Spices: salt, cumin, red pepper flakes, and black pepper
How to make it:
1. Mince the onion and sauté it in a bit of oil. When the onion starts to turn translucent, add the diced beef (or lamb) and cook them together, stirring continuously. Add the spices and continue stirring until the meat is cooked through.
2. Cut the roasted eggplants into small pieces and add the chopped garlic. Then, add a bit of yogurt to the eggplant mixture and mix well.
3. First, create a “bed” of eggplant on each plate, then top it with the meat mixture. Serve with melted butter or extra red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Tip:
The meat mixture on top of the eggplant is traditionally quite spicy, but since not everyone can handle the heat, we suggest tasting the meat as you cook it and adjusting the spice level to your liking.
Source: Daily Sabah
