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Cherry Kebab (Kebab bil Karaz)

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A traditional Aleppian main course of spiced beef-and-lamb kafta simmered in a sweet-tart cherry sauce, finished with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 250 g (½ lb) ground beef
  • 250 g (½ lb) ground lamb
  • ½ onion, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Small handful parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1½ tsp seven-spice (or all-spice) powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ¼ tsp cumin powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Pinch red chili flakes
  • 1 Tbsp neutral oil (for cooking)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 250 g (1 cup) cherry jam
  • 120 ml (½ cup) water
  • 1 Tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ tsp salt (for sauce)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper (for sauce)
  • Toasted pine nuts, for garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix ground beef, ground lamb, grated onion, garlic, parsley, salt, seven-spice, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper and chili flakes until well combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into small oblong kebabs or meatballs and chill while heating a skillet.
  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown the kebabs on all sides for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium and sauté the diced onion in the same skillet until softened.
  5. Add cherry jam, water, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, salt and pepper; stir and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return the browned kebabs to the skillet, coat with the cherry sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes to finish cooking.
  7. Garnish with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley, and serve hot with flatbread or rice.

Notes

  • Ready-made kafta skewers can replace homemade kebabs for quicker prep.
  • Kebabs can be baked at 180 °C / 350 °F for 15 minutes, then broiled 2–3 minutes for color instead of pan-frying.
  • If cherries are very tart, stir 1 Tbsp sugar into the sauce for balance.
  • Excellent served with pita, vermicelli rice, or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: kebab karaz, cherry kebab, Aleppo, kafta, Middle Eastern

Find it online: https://recipesfoodeasy.com/cherry-kebab-kebab-bil-karaz/