Chicken Shawarmaa:

By:Viju Varghese

 ചേട്ടന്മാരെ ചേച്ചിമാരെ ...ഇത് നമ്മുടെ നാട്ടിലെ “ശവ”റ്മ അല്ലാ, പിന്നെയോ നമ്മുടെ ഗൾഫിൽ കിട്ടുന്ന നല്ല ക്ഷവറ്മ ആണ് ഐറ്റം!! Dinner Special...

Here it goes:
• 400gms boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thinly cut)
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon allspice/ garam masala
• Juice from 1 lemon

• FOR THE SAUCE:
• 1 cup Tahini (Sesame paste)
• 4 cloves garlic (paste)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• PITA FILLINGS:
• 8 loaves of pita bread or 4 large
• Grilled Chicken slices
• Thinly chopped lettuce
• Thinly chopped tomatoes
• French fries (Baked)
• Vegetable pickle slices
• Tahini spread
• Garlic paste spread
Final Stage of filling a Shawarmaa !!
• To prepare chicken, combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add chicken to bowl; toss well to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 4 hrs or overnight.
• To prepare sauce, combine yogurt and next 3 ingredients (through 1 garlic clove), stirring with a whisk.
• Grill the marinated chicken pieces until done, but not browned, better to keep the soft texture for the Shawarmaa
• Place pitas on grill rack; grill 1 minute on each side or until lightly toasted. Place 1 pita on each of 4 plates; top each serving with Tahini paste, then garlic paste, full lettuce leaf, chopped tomato, chopped lettuce, French fries, Chicken slices, pour some more garlic paste.
• Roll the Pita bread, folding the bottom first. Roll it tightly so that the filling stay tight and finally roll it over an Aluminum foil.
• Just before serving keep it in an oven to heat it up, serve hot.