A Middle Eastern BBQ Adventure Awaits Your Year-End Party
Who doesn't absolutely adore a fantastic BBQ?
There's just something truly magical about the tantalising scent and delightful sizzle of food on the grill that makes your taste buds dance with excitement.
Middle Eastern barbeque, however, takes this experience to a whole new level. Grilling has long been an essential and cherished tradition in the Middle East, perfectly suited to the region's climate and abundance of livestock. Even today, it remains a cornerstone of the region's incredibly diverse and rich culinary heritage, captivating your senses with its irresistible aromas. The meticulous process of marinating, skewering, grilling, and resting each dish is a true testament to the mastery and passion that goes into creating iconic Middle Eastern delicacies like kebabs and shawarma.
Grilling meat in the Middle East boasts a rich and fascinating history that can be traced back to ancient times. It is deeply intertwined with the lifestyle and environment of the region, hailing from the traditions and practices of its people.
Join us as we delve into the splendid Middle Eastern grilling tradition and allow Kazbar to elevate these timeless flavours to your plate, transforming your next party into an unforgettable experience, to be talked about for years to come.
The history of grilling in the Middle East
In the early civilizations of the Middle East, the inhabitants skillfully capitalised on the hot and arid climate, using it to their advantage in the art of grilling meat. As herdsmen, they had access to an abundant supply of livestock, which became the foundation for this culinary tradition. The ingenious technique of threading succulent chunks of meat on skewers emerged as a brilliant solution for their mobile lifestyle, allowing them to cook their food easily while on the move.
As this culinary practice proliferated throughout the region, each community infused their unique flavours and cooking techniques, giving rise to a wide array of variations on the kebab. The Middle East became a melting pot of culinary creativity, with different regions showcasing their own distinct styles and flavours.
While the technique of grilling meat on horizontal spits has a long history, it was the introduction of shawarma in the 19th-century Ottoman Empire that truly revolutionised the game. Picture this: a vertical stack of succulent meat slices, slowly cooking and tantalising your taste buds. The result? Doner kebab – the mouthwatering inspiration behind both Greek gyros and shawarma.
But the influence of shawarma did not stop there. Its delicious flavours and cooking method reached far and wide, even making its way to Mexico where it gave birth to the equally tempting and contemporary dish known as tacos al pastor.
The journey of grilling meat in the Middle East is not just about the food itself, but also about the cultural exchange and culinary evolution that has taken place over centuries. It is a testament to the power of food to bring people together, bridging gaps and creating connections across different regions and cultures.
The magic behind the Middle Eastern grilling process
Step 1: Marination
Marination is an essential step in the preparation of Middle Eastern grilled dishes. This involves soaking the raw meat in a mixture of ingredients, which serves to tenderise the meat and infuse it with a rich array of flavours. Marinating is not just a simple pre-cooking ritual; it's a culinary art form, steeped in tradition, that paves the way for the explosion of flavours characteristic of dishes like kebabs and shawarma.
For example, a typical Middle Eastern marinade might consist of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a variety of spices, such as cumin, coriander, and paprika. The acid in the lemon juice helps to tenderise the meat, while the oil keeps it moist during the grilling process. The garlic and spices infuse the meat with their distinctive flavours, creating a complex and satisfying taste that is unmistakably Middle Eastern.
Step 2: Skewering
Once marinated, the meat is often threaded onto skewers, a technique known as skewering. This method facilitates an even distribution of heat during the grilling process, ensuring that the meat cooks uniformly. Skewering the meat not only imparts an attractive presentation but also makes it more manageable when grilling, turning, and serving.
It's in these details that the mastery of Middle Eastern grilling lies, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Step 3: Direct Heat Grilling
Upon skewering, the meat is cooked on a grill using direct heat, typically over a charcoal grill. This method involves positioning the skewered meat directly above the heat source. The high temperature promptly sears the exterior of the meat, forming a deliciously crispy and tantalising crust. This intense heat also triggers the caramelisation of sugars present within our unique marinade, which not only amplifies the taste of the cooked meat but also enhances its visual appeal, resulting in a mouth-watering spectacle that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Step 3: Resting
After the meat has been grilled to perfection, an essential yet often overlooked step follows – resting. Resting allows the intense heat within the meat to dissipate, letting the juices that have been drawn towards the surface during grilling to redistribute throughout. This vital pause ensures every mouthful is succulent and packed with the flavours of our unique marinades, enhancing the overall richness of the dish.
Appreciating the subtleties of the grilling process and the role each step plays in crafting the perfect dish is an essential part of our process at Kazbar. Hence, we patiently rest our grilled meats before serving, letting the flavours deepen and intensify. It's not just about enjoying a meal; it's about savouring an authentic Middle Eastern culinary experience at its finest.
Kazbar’s take on the classics: Kebabs, Shawarma and Mixed Grill
At Kazbar, our specialty lies in the authentic Middle Eastern grilling techniques.
Our passion for crafting traditional Lebanese flavours originates from our deep cultural roots. We pride ourselves on the distinct marinades we use, a blend of spices and herbs airlifted from the Middle East, that form the basis of our culinary creations. Every piece of meat we offer soaks in these flavourful marinades, imbibing the spices and enabling us to serve dishes that carry the genuine taste of the Middle East.
Kebabs
Lebanese kebabs, also known as shish kebabs, typically consist of marinated chunks of meat – often lamb or chicken – threaded onto skewers and grilled until they're full of smoky flavour. What sets Lebanese kebabs apart is the simplicity of their marinade, which often includes just olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a few select spices.
At Kazbar, we serve a wide range of Kebabs including:
Shish Kebabs: Picture succulent cubes of marinated meat – lamb or beef – skewered and grilled to perfection. The marinades boast a tantalising fusion of olive oil, zesty lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and an array of spices.
Shish Taouk: Experience the tantalising flavours of this Lebanese classic! Succulent pieces of marinated chicken, expertly skewered and grilled to perfection. The marinade, a delightful blend of yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice, and a medley of spices including paprika and cayenne, infuses the chicken with a tangy zest and vibrant hue.
Joojeh Kebabs: A delightful blend of flavours that encapsulate the essence of Persian cuisine. These kebabs feature chicken marinated in an exotic concoction of saffron, turmeric, yoghurt, and lemon. The saffron imparts a unique aroma and a golden hue to the dish while the turmeric adds a depth of flavour. The yoghurt tenderises the chicken, ensuring the meat is juicy and succulent. The tanginess of the lemon cuts through the richness of the spices, adding a zesty kick.
Seafood Kebabs: a duo of fresh seafood – tender fish and succulent prawns – marinated in an authentic Lebanese marinade. The marinade, a delicate blend of olive oil, zesty lemon juice, crushed garlic, and a range of aromatic Middle Eastern spices, seeps into the seafood to impart an irresistible flavour that truly captures the essence of Lebanese cuisine.
With lamb chops and chicken wings as additional options, our live grilling station provides the variety you need to create the perfect menu for your next event.
Shawarma
What could be more delightful than savouring the rich, smoky flavour of meat on a stick, you ask? Well, imagine this: succulent slices of meat, marinated with Middle Eastern spices, cooked to perfection, and then tightly wrapped with fresh, crisp vegetables in a warm, toasted bread envelope. This is our specialty at Kazbar.
The Lebanese shawarma is made by marinating thin slices of meat – usually beef or chicken – in a flavorful mix of spices and yoghurt, then stacking them on a vertical spit. The meat is then slowly grilled as it rotates, resulting in tender and juicy slices.
Catering a party with a Middle Eastern BBQ
Experience the centuries-old culinary journey of traditional Middle Eastern grilling this holiday season with Kazbar’s award-winning cuisine. From the meticulous marination of meats to the authentic skewering, grilling, and resting techniques, we cater dishes steeped in rich tradition and bursting with flavour. Whether it's a small get-together or a large festive gathering, our range of offerings, including live grilling and aromatic shawarma stations, cater to events of any size.
Live Stations
We offer the following live shawarma stations which are ideal for small to medium-sized groups:
Chicken Shawarma Live Station: Immerse yourself in the tantalising aroma of succulent chicken shawarma, delicately spiced and cooked to perfection.
Lamb Shawarma Live Station: Enjoy an authentic Middle Eastern culinary experience with our richly flavoured lamb shawarma.
Beef Shawarma Live Station: Savour the robust flavours of our succulent beef shawarma, marinated and grilled to perfection
Ouzi Lamb Live Station: Our whole lamb shank, expertly marinated lamb shank slowly roasted served with arabic rice is a crowd pleaser.
Live Grilled Kebabs: Available in a wide variety of options for you to mix and match, these simple but packed with flavour kebabs come in Shish Kebab, Shish Taouk, Joojeh Kebab, Prawn, Lamb Chops or Jawaneh
Sit back and let our expert chefs serve your guests with an unforgettable treat.
Mixed Grill Platter
While our live stations undeniably add a flair to any event, not all venues can accommodate them. If your space isn't suited for a live grill, fret not! At Kazbar, we've got you covered with our mixed grill platters.
Our sharing platters are the perfect solution, offering an assortment of our exquisitely marinated and grilled meats, masterfully cooked in our kitchen and brought to your table. Bursting with robust flavours of Middle Eastern spices, and paired perfectly with a selection of our fresh, vibrant side dishes, our mixed grill platters ensure that you won't miss out on the authentic Kazbar experience.
Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner party or a large corporate event requiring a full buffet, manned bar and entertainment, we offer it all. Catering our award-winning food will bring the magic of the Middle East directly to you. Trust us, your guests will be delighted.
Make your celebrations extraordinary with Kazbar's expertise and attention to detail. Take a look at our catering menu [here]
Call 6438 2975 or WhatsApp +65 8223 5603, and our expert staff will guide you through your catering needs.