[imcarthur]

I had this dish numerous times in a restaurant called La Tente in Montreal with my Syrian boss at the time. It took me years to figure out the right combination of ingredients (I guess I could have asked them . . .)

Shish Taouk

2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
11/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Cut chicken breasts into 1-1 1/2" cubes. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except chicken. Mix well. Add the chicken & marinate for 2 hours in refrigerator, turning chicken pieces over several times during this period.

Put chicken cubes on skewers. Barbeque over charcoal, turning until chicken is cooked – 10 minutes or so but don’t overcook or it will be dry.

Serve on ultra-fresh Arabic (as opposed to Greek) pita bread with the sauce below. The combination is truly spectacular.

Garlic Cream Sauce

¾ cup whipping cream
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
Pinch cayenne
Pinch nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
1 oz (or less) lemon juice (about ½ lemon)

Combine ingredients in sauce pan & bring to a boil. Allow to thicken stirring constantly.

Hint: To thicken sauce combine 1 tbs soft butter with an equal amount of flour & add to sauce & stir immediately. Allow it to boil carefully to dissolve the flour but don’t leave it alone.

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Ian