Shami Kebab Rawalpindi

Shami kebab literally means Syrian kebab (Syria = Sham in Arabic). Some are of the opinion that these kebabs were introduced to South Asia during the Mughal era by Muslim emigrants from the Middle East. They had employed cooks from all over the Muslim world to serve in the royal kitchens. Some of the cooks were from Syria as well. The Sham refers to either Syria specifically or the Levant in general, and these kebabs literally means Syrian kebabs or Levantine kebabs in Arabic.

Shami kababs are boiled or sauteed meat and chick pea lentils (chana daal) with whole hot spices (garam masala, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves bayleaf), whole ginger, whole garlic and some salt to taste until completely tender. Onions, turmeric, chili powder, egg, chopped coriander and mint leaves may be added in preparing kebab. Garam masala powder (ground spices) may be used in place of whole hot spices.