Bursa İskenderi, or simply İskender kebabı, is one of the most famous kebabs in Turkey. It was invented in 1867 by İskender Efendi in Bursa, and it is still one of the most popular kebabs today.
History of the Dish
Bursa İskenderi, or simply İskender kebabı, is a kebab variety that fascinates not only with its taste but also with its history. Invented in Bursa in 1867 by İskender Efendi, this kebab has become one of the most important symbols of Turkish cuisine since then. In this article, we will take a closer look at the historical origins, evolution, and current popularity of Bursa İskenderi.
İskender Efendi and His Invention
The story begins in 1867 in Bursa, which was then a small town. İskender Efendi, a butcher and cook, created a landmark moment with its taste and texture that has lasted to this day while experimenting with meat cooking techniques. He started serving lamb meat cooked horizontally over a wood fire with a special tomato sauce and butter. This new flavor quickly spread throughout the town and the surrounding area and became known as “İskender Kebabı”.
The Evolution of the Kebab
After İskender Efendi’s death, his son Mehmet Usta and his grandchildren continued the kebab tradition and further developed the taste. The addition of pide bread and yogurt to the kebab allowed İskender kebab to take on its current known and loved form.
Bursa’s Heritage
Bursa İskenderi is not just a delicious kebab, but also a heritage of Bursa and Turkish cuisine. This kebab is an important part of the city’s cultural identity and is tasted by millions of tourists every year.
Popularity and Spread
The taste and fame of İskender kebab have spread beyond the borders of Bursa to all of Turkey and even the world. Today, it is possible to find restaurants serving İskender kebab all over Turkey.
Characteristics of İskender Kebab
- Meat: The most important ingredient of İskender kebab is lamb meat. The lamb meat is cooked horizontally over a wood fire to preserve its flavor and tenderness.
- Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce is a must for İskender kebab. This sauce, made from fresh tomatoes, adds flavor to the meat.
- Butter: Butter adds flavor to İskender kebab. The melted butter complements the flavor of the meat and sauce.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is the refreshing element of İskender kebab. Cold yogurt balances the flavor of the kebab.
- Pide: Pide is used as a base for İskender kebab. The oily pide absorbs the flavor of the meat and sauce and enhances the taste.
Secrets of İskender Kebab
- Meat: The meat must be fresh and of high quality.
- Cooking: The meat must be cooked horizontally over a wood fire.
- Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce should be made from fresh tomatoes.
- Butter: The butter should be of high quality.
- Yogurt: The yogurt should be cold.
- Pide: The pide should be oily.
Benefits of İskender Kebab
- Lamb meat is rich in protein.
- Tomato sauce is rich in vitamin C.
- Yogurt is rich in calcium and probiotics.
Disadvantages of İskender Kebab
- Since İskender kebab is a fatty kebab, it can cause weight gain if consumed excessively.
- In addition, heart and vascular patients should also be careful when consuming İskender kebab.
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