You might have heard of, or even tried shawarma, but do you know everything there is to know about shawarma? At Basha’s Shawarma, shawarma is our specialty. In this article, we’ll discuss what shawarma is, how it is made, and how you can enjoy the taste of the Middle East!
What is Shawarma?
Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern meal that is made from marinated meat, such as lamb, beef, and chicken. It is one of the world’s most popular street foods, especially in Egypt, and is now a staple at most Middle Eastern restaurants. Shawarma is a mouth-watering meal that is sure to please food and meat lovers.
How Shawarma is Made
Shawarma is marinated with various seasonings and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It is made by stacking thinly sliced meat, typically lamb, beef, or chicken, on a large rotating skewer or cone. It is also sometimes cooked with extra fat from the meat to give it a juicer taste. The shawarma stack is rotated slowly for hours as it cooks in front of a heat source that continuously roasts the outer layer.
How is it Served?
Once the shawarma is cooked, it is usually cut or shaved using a thin long knife. Only what is needed is cut into thin, wide strips. The meat is then served in a stuffed pita, wrap, or sandwich and is paired with an assortment of vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, turnip. The wonderful thing about shawarma is that you can pair it with any vegetables or sauces you like! The most common sauces used in a shawarma wrap are tahini, garlic, and hummus.
Depending on your preference, you can even combine different meats into one wrap or sandwich! For example, try your shawarma wrap with beef and chicken. This is often called “Mixed Shawarma”.
Other ways to eat shawarma can be in a bowl with various vegetables, or on a plate paired with fries or rice, salad such as Tabbouleh or Fattoush, and cooked vegetables. How you choose to enjoy shawarma is entirely up to you!
Where Did Shawarma Originate?
Shawarma first appeared in Turkey in the 19th century in the form of doner kebab. It was later brought over to Greece and influenced the popular Greek dish, gyro which is typically prepared with lamb or beef. Shawarma gained popularity in the Western side of the world when it was brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants.
Shawarma is now a common meal that you can find at most Middle Eastern or Lebanese restaurants all around the world. The delicious meal particularly gained popularity in North America in May of 2012 after The Avengers movie premiered and the ending credit scene showed the Avengers eating Shawarma in New York.
Lebanese Cuisine at Its Best
Thinking about tasting this mouth-watering meal for yourself? At Basha’s Shawarma, you can have it your way in a sandwich, in a bowl, or on a plate! At our restaurant, we serve Beef and Chicken Shawarma. It is slow-cooked to perfection, giving you a taste of tender and delicious meat in every bite. View our Menu to see all of the delicious ways you can try shawarma.
Visit Basha’s Shawarma in Tecumseh, Ontario to try it yourself.