Topic: The Elusive Shami Kebab

[Kashmiri Bob]

Since moving to Birmingham some 10 years ago I have been searching, without success, for a proper shami kebab like what they do in Manchester.  Here I am served without exception with what I believe is actually a type of chapli kebab. This is basically a spicy lamb burger, and often seems to be made using exactly the recipe as for sheek kebab.  But, my search may be over.  Found a review of a restaurant in Birmingham that sounds very promising.  Ive copied the important bits out:

   "For starters, there was the usual choice, but I was intrigued by the ?Kings Paradise special kebab? on the menu. I asked what it was and was told it was like a shami kebab, but dipped in egg and fried. So three of us went for that and the fourth ordered a samosa".

"The kebabs were very good, the dipped egg had formed a thin batter on the outside. The two kebabs, which were of a decent size, were served with a nice side salad. I covered mine with yoghurt and mince sauce and added some onion chutney. The kebabs were finely minced and disarmingly neutral at first, but delivered a fresh green chilli heat as the meal progressed. Reports of the samosa were also favorable, but the portion only consisted of one, whereas we were treated to two kebabs each, which was a lot more substantial in comparison".

I shall investigate, but wonder how many regional shami varieties exist.  So folks, is it a delicious egg coated shami, or a sheek ran over with a steam-roller, or something else around your way?

Rob

http://www.eatanddrink.co.uk/restaurants/kings_paradise_bham.asp

[DalPuri]

A proper Shami kebab should melt in the mouth and the meat should be pounded to a paste like consistency.
It should be closer in texture to pate rather than a burger.
I always used to buy a couple of shami and aloo tikki every time i went to a takeaway place. Its been a long time since i had either. 
The flavour of a shami was whole spices and the tikki were hotter than eating two spoons of mr naga  ;D

Frank. 

[Razor]

Hi Chaps,

Also being from Manchester, the Shami kebab that I'm used to is as GOTG describes, a pattie, dipped in egg and fried but often with smashed lentils mixed in the keema.  I have had what DP decribes as a pattie with almost a pate type texture and whilst I enjoyed the flavour, I didn't like the texture much!

So, here something else to 'muddy the waters', what is a Reshmi Kebab?

Ray

[DalPuri]

Actually now i think about it, the texture is closest to cod roe. (I Do love a battered slice of cod's roe  )
quite dry and will crumble very easily. The only thing that holds it together is the thin egg coating.

[Malc.]

So, here something else to 'muddy the waters', what is a Reshmi Kebab?

That's what we call a Shami that's fried in egg as described in the original post, the Shami simply being the plain version of. I do enjoy Shami kebabs more than I do Sheeks.

[Stephen Lindsay]

My understanding of a reshmi kebab is that the egg is poured over the meat in a lattice type fashion.

[Secret Santa]

My understanding of a reshmi kebab is that the egg is poured over the meat in a lattice type fashion.

I think that's just a BIR thing to fancy-up an otherwise boring looking meat burger (which is what a traditional reshmi kebab is).

[Peripatetic Phil]

My understanding of a reshmi kebab is that the egg is poured over the meat in a lattice type fashion.

I think that's just a BIR thing to fancy-up an otherwise boring looking meat burger (which is what a traditional reshmi kebab is).

I'd go along with Stephen : for me, a reshmi kebab isn't a reshmi kebab without the web of egg.  Being a cheapskate, I often buy shami kebabs and convert them at home !

** Phil.

[Malc.]

How do they create that web effect, I had in my mind that they dip half the kebab in egg and then drop it quickly into deep oil side on, to create the odd looking web coating. Any ideas?

[Secret Santa]

Does anyone have a link to a picture of the egg-lattice covered reshmi kebab? I did a quick Google search but couldn't find one. I just kept coming up with burgers wrapped in omelette!