Shami kebab facts for kids
Shami kebab on a bed of cucumbers, served with pasta
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| Region or state | Indian subcontinent |
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| Main ingredients | Meat or fish and spices |
| Variations | Many variations exist |
| Vary kcal | |
Shami kabab, also spelled shaami kabab, is a tasty kind of kebab. It comes from the Indian subcontinent, which includes countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These small, round patties are a popular food in these areas.
Shami kababs are usually made from finely ground meat, like beef, lamb, or mutton. Sometimes, they are even made with chicken. The meat is mixed with ground chickpeas, egg to help it stick together, and various spices.
People often eat Shami kababs as a snack or a starter before a meal. They are especially popular when guests visit in places like Dhaka, Deccan, Punjab, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Sindh.
You can make them even more delicious by adding lemon juice. They are often served with sliced raw onions on the side. You might also find them with mint or coriander chutney. During the Islamic festival of Eid, Shami kababs are sometimes served with a sweet dish called sheer khurma.
How to Make Shami Kababs
Making Shami kababs involves a few steps. First, meat (like beef or lamb) and chickpeas are boiled or lightly fried. They are cooked with whole spices such as garam masala, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves. Fresh ginger, garlic, and some salt are also added. Everything cooks until it is very soft.
After cooking, the meat is ground. It's important to grind it so it still has some texture, not a smooth paste. Then, other ingredients can be mixed in. These might include onions, turmeric, chili powder, egg, and fresh herbs like green coriander, green chillies, and mint leaves. Sometimes, ground spice powder is used instead of whole spices.
Once the mixture is ready, it is shaped into flat, round, or diamond-shaped patties. Finally, these patties are shallow-fried until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Today, many new ways to make Shami kababs have appeared. This includes vegetarian and vegan versions, which are made without meat.
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Shami kebab ready for frying
How to Enjoy Shami Kababs
Shami kababs can be eaten in many ways. They are often served with roti, which is a type of flatbread. You can also enjoy them with different sauces like ketchup, hot sauce, or chilli garlic sauce. Some people like them with raita (a yogurt dip) or chutney.
Before serving, it's common to dip the kababs in beaten egg and fry them a second time. This makes them extra crispy. In Hyderabad, a city in India, Shami kababs are often eaten with cooked rice or chapati.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "Shami kabab" has a few possible meanings. One idea is that it comes from the Persian word shaam, which means "dinner" or "night." In Urdu and Hindi, shaam also means "evening."
Another idea is that the name comes from a special perfume called shamama. This perfume has a lovely scent, and perhaps the kababs were named after it because they smell so good.
A third idea links the name to a place called Bilad al-Sham, which is now modern Syria. Many cooks from that region moved to the wealthy Mughal Empire in South Asia a long time ago. They might have brought this delicious recipe with them.
