I’m going to tell you the legend of the shami kebab, a minced meat kebab that literally melts in your mouth. It’s said that a chef invented this silky smooth kebab during the Mughal era for an elderly nobleman, Asaf-ud-Daulah, who had lost his teeth and therefore could no longer chew. This toothless nobleman wanted to be able to enjoy meat, and so this appetizer (which I HAVE to describe as toothsome) came to be. This nobleman, also known as a Nawab, lived in Lucknow which is my mom’s hometown. Now, while I can’t say for sure whether this story is true, I do know that my mom ate these kebabs growing up and this is the story she was told. So, yes. That my friends is the legend of the shami kebab. Interesting right? I love hearing food origin stories. I am all about providing you with food + entertainment here on the blog. I suggest making these kebabs and as your guests talk about how incredibly soft and smooth these delightful little appetizers are, you too can tell them the tale of the shami kebab. And then maybe have your guests play a game where they try to eat the kebab without using their teeth? Too weird? Totally something I would do lol. A Shami Kebab can be made with any type of meat. I’ve made the recipe below using ground lamb and goat – both have been delicious. You can serve these kebabs with my dad’s sweet and spicy green chutney. I also have a similar recipe for Keralite croquettes using minced beef – those, while amazing, take a bit more time to make than these easy to make kebabs. The type of masala used to make kebabs varies. I like using this meat masala mix. It’s my favorite spice blend – it’s perfect for throwing together a last-minute stir-fry for dinner. I definitely suggest you keep it handy. It’s made with cardamom, fennel seeds, cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make these kebabs as an appetizer for your next party. You can make them in advance – just keep them in the freezer and thaw/fry before your guests arrive. Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!
