View source for Shami kebab

{{short description|Variety of kebab from the Indian subcontinent}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Shami kabab
| image = 4th October 2012 Shami Kebab.jpg
| caption =Shami kebab on a bed of cucumbers, served with pasta
| alternate_name =
| region = [[Indian subcontinent]]
| creator =
| course =
| served =
| main_ingredient = Meat or fish and spices
| variations = Many variations exist
| calories = Vary
| other =
}}
{{Indian cuisine}}
'''Shami kabab''' or '''shaami kabab''' is a [[South Asian]] variety of [[kebab]], composed of a shallow fried small patty of minced meat, generally beef, but occasionally [[lamb and mutton|lamb]] or [[mutton]] (a [[Chicken as food|chicken]] version exists as well), with ground [[chickpeas]], egg as binder, and [[spices]]. It originates from the [[Lucknow]] region of the [[Indian subcontinent]] developed during the [[Mughlai cuisine|Mughal rule]]. It is a popular dish in modern-day [[Indian cuisine|Indian]], [[Pakistani Cuisine|Pakistani]] and [[Bangladeshi cuisine|Bangladeshi]] cuisines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shami kebab {{!}} Traditional Ground Meat Dish From Lucknow {{!}} TasteAtlas |url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/shami-kebab |access-date=2021-06-08 |website=www.tasteatlas.com |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608204919/https://www.tasteatlas.com/shami-kebab |url-status=live}}</ref> Shami kebab is eaten as a snack or an appetizer, and is served to guests especially in the regions of [[Bengal]], [[Deccan]], [[Punjab]], [[Kashmir]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Sindh]].

They are often garnished with lemon juice and served with sliced raw [[onions]] as a side salad, and may be eaten with chutney made from mint or coriander.<ref>{{cite web |work=BBC |title=Sami Kebabs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shami_kebabs_34462 |first=Rick |last=Stein |accessdate=8 February 2023 |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209015538/https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shami_kebabs_34462 |url-status=live}}</ref> They are also served along with [[sheer khurma]] during the celebrations of the [[Islamic holidays|Islamic festival]] of [[Eid ul-Fitr|Eid]].

{{Pakistani cuisine}}

==Preparation==
Shami kababs are boiled or sauteed meat (beef or [[lamb and mutton|lamb]]) and [[chickpeas]] (''chana daal'') with whole hot spices ([[garam masala]], [[black pepper]], [[cinnamon]], [[cloves]], [[bay leaves]]), whole ginger, whole garlic and some salt to taste until completely tender. Onions, turmeric, chili powder, egg, chopped green coriander, chopped green chillies and chopped mint leaves may be added in preparing kebab. Garam masala powder (ground spices) may be used in place of whole hot spices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shami Kabab |url=http://indianfood.about.com/od/lambdishes/r/shamikabab.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221063717/http://indianfood.about.com/od/lambdishes/r/shamikabab.htm |archive-date=21 December 2014 |url-status=unfit |date=10 December 2014 |author=Petrina Verma Sarkar |website=About.com}}</ref>

The cooked meat is then ground in such a way that it is fibrous and does not become a paste. It is then shaped into diamond or round patties and is shallow fried. The Kashmiri variation uses a proportion of 3 parts mutton to 1 part lentils (chana) and is cooked and then ground to a paste consistency before frying the patties to a brown outer crust while keeping the inner soft.

<gallery caption widths="150px" heights="210px">
File:Shami Kebab.jpg|''Shami kebab'' ready for frying
</gallery>

==Serving==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
Shami kebabs may be served with [[roti]] along with ketchup, hot sauce, [[Szechuan cuisine|Schezwan sauce]], chilli garlic sauce, [[raita]] or [[chutney]]. Before serving the kebabs, it is also common to dip them in a beaten egg mixture and double-fry them. They are also commonly eaten in [[Hyderabad]] with cooked rice or chapati.

==Etymology==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
There are several etymological explanations behind the shami kebab. One explanation is that the name of the dish derives from the word ''shaam'', which means "dinner" and "night" in [[Persian language|Persian]]. It also means ''evening'' in [[Urdu language|Urdu]] and [[Hindi language|Hindi]]. The name may also derive from the scent of an [[Rose oil|itr]] called ''shamama''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shami kebab without frills |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061203/spectrum/food.htm |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=27 February 2019 |language=en |date=3 December 2006 |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727090556/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061203/spectrum/food.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> The name ''shami kebab'' may also refer to [[Bilad al-Sham]], the modern [[Syria]], as many cooks from that region migrated to the wealthy [[Mughal Empire]] of South Asia during the [[Middle Ages]].

== See also ==
{{portal|Food|India|Pakistan|Bangladesh}}
* [[Anda shami]]
* [[Frikadeller]]
* [[List of kebabs]]
* [[Pakistani meat dishes]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Bangladeshi dishes}}
{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Cuisine of India}}

[[Category:Kebabs]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Punjabi cuisine]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi cuisine]]
[[Category:Bengali cuisine]]
[[Category:Hyderabadi cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian meat dishes]]
[[Category:Indian fast food]]
[[Category:Kashmiri cuisine]]
[[Category:Mughlai cuisine]]
[[Category:Pakistani meat dishes]]
[[Category:Pakistani fast food]]
[[Category:Muhajir cuisine]]
[[Category:Sindhi cuisine]]
[[Category:Uttar Pradeshi cuisine]]
[[Category:Appetizers]]
[[Category:Food watchlist articles]]