Nezaket Kebab

If you're looking to bring the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine to your table, Nezaket Kebabı is a delicious and impressive dish that will wow your guests. This oven-baked ground beef roll wrapped in yufka (similar to phyllo dough) is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside, and bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavors. It’s an eye-catching centerpiece and surprisingly easy to prepare.

Ingredients

For the Meat Rolls:

• 800 grams ground beef

• 1 cup bread crumbs

• 2 eggs

• 2 large onions, grated

• 2 garlic cloves, grated

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp salt

• 4 yufka sheets (or phyllo dough)

For the Sauce:

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 green chili peppers, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, grated

• 2 cups tomato purée

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1 cup water

For Garnish & Serving:

• A handful of chopped parsley

• 1 cup strained yogurt (Greek-style)

Instructions

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, eggs, grated onions, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Knead well until the mixture is smooth and firm.

• Lay a yufka sheet on your countertop and fold it in half into a semicircle.

• Spread a portion of the meat mixture along the wide edge and roll it tightly into a log. Seal the edge with a bit of water.

• Cut the meat-filled roll into thick slices about two fingers wide.

• Place the rolls vertically in a greased round baking dish, with the meat sides facing up.

• Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (390°F) for about 35 minutes or until the yufka is golden and crispy.

• While the rolls bake, heat olive oil in a saucepan. Sauté the green peppers until soft, then add garlic, tomato purée, water, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.

• Pour the sauce over the baked rolls and return them to the oven for another 15 minutes.

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with a side of strained yogurt.

Nezaket Kebabı brings a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors to your dinner table. The crispy layers of yufka combined with savory meat and tangy tomato sauce create an unforgettable dish that’s both authentic and comforting. Try it once, and it might just become your family’s new favorite kebab recipe.