April 28, 2017

brought to you by Al Alali Tuna..

A spin on the classic Shawerma

I was so excited when Al Alali got in touch me and informed me about their plan to launch a new flavoured Shawerma line. They told me they are bringing 3 amazing new flavours of shawerma to the market, one of which is Shawerma Tuna, the second Kapseh Tuna and also the Curry Tuna. As you can see they have chosen 3 very delicious flavours, all of which are very dear flavours to this part of the world. I was instantly excited and definitely on developing recipes for them as requested. I of course chose Shawerma flavour 🙂 Shawerma is an amazing flavour and I am all for bringing new to the old and building on tradition. So while I shared with you the recipes of the traditional Meat & Chicken Shawerma in my book Plated Heirlooms, this tuna shawerma was going to complete that set, so we have shawerma of all the main meat types. What is not to love!

As such and since we are bringing new to the old, I thought why not experience the shawerma sandwich in a different context, so instead of the shredded shawerma roll, I went for the second best loved sandwich: The Burger! Staying true to the whole shawerma flavour, and its most classic accompanying ingredients, just changing the form into a burger, offering a true fish burger experience. It worked like a charm! An outstanding tuna burger, with the beautiful shawerma flavours, one that I can happily have anytime. This was the lunch we and the filming crew had that day and everyone was so happy and in love with this burger, that I know you will too. Seriously, you have to try it.

This right here is a flavorful spin on the classic shawerma by all means. One that highlights the new and delicious Alali Shawerma Tuna. I am not just saying this, I really enjoyed the flavour of the shawerma tuna, Al Alali did a great job there.

I have made this in mini burgers and had made it in a proper full burger portion on another occasion for my children and their friends. They all loved it. Well when the children give the seal of approval, then I am happy knowing it is an experience that will please everyone.

Ingredients

2 cans Al Alali Shawerma Tuna
1 tbsp Tahina sauce
½ cup white toast, flesh cut into small pieces
1 tsp lime zest
Juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp DS Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp chopped dills
2 tbsp chopped chives
Salt & Black pepper to taste
1 egg
DS Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing

For tartar sauce

2 tbsp chopped dill
finely chopped DS Organic Turnip Pickles
½ cup light mayonnaise
Salt & black pepper
1 cup shredded red cabbage
Mini Burger buns

Drain the tuna.

In a bowl mix together, the drained tuna, tahini sauce, bread, olive oil, lime zest and juice, herbs, seasoning and egg.

Divide the mixture into 8 parts. Form each part into a ball then flatten into a patty. Place the patties on a lined baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400F – 220C.

Brush the patties with olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until golden.

Once done, spread some tartar sauce on the burger bun. Top with the cooked patty and top with some shredded red cabbages and the burger bun.

Serve hot with baked potato wedges and extra tartar sauce on the side.