İskender kebab — marinated meat over pita bread with tomato sauce and yogurt

The legendary dish of Bursa: thin slices of meat over pita bread soaked in tomato sauce, melted butter and fresh yogurt — a feast of flavors from Turkish cuisine.

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• 600 g beef (fillet or sirloin), cut into very thin slices
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet red pepper)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 pita breads

For the tomato sauce:

• 400 g peeled tomatoes (or tomato passata)
• 1 tablespoon concentrated tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• Salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar

For serving:

• 300 g natural yogurt
• 50 g melted butter (to pour over)
• Roasted hot peppers (optional)

Preparation steps

1. Marinating the meat: In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, chopped onion, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Add the meat slices, mix well and leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes (ideally 1–2 hours in the fridge).
2. The tomato sauce: Melt the butter in a pan, add the garlic and lightly fry for 30 seconds. Add the concentrated tomato paste and the chopped peeled tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar and let simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, until thickened.
3. Cooking the meat: Heat a large pan or grill well. Sear the marinated meat slices 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden. Cut into thin strips if the slices are large.
4. Preparing the pita: Cut the pita breads into squares and warm them lightly in the oven or in a pan, then arrange on serving plates.
5. Serving: Over the pita bread pour a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce, arrange the grilled meat strips on top, pour tomato sauce again, then the hot melted butter. Serve with spoonfuls of yogurt on the side and, if you like, roasted hot peppers.

Time: Preparation 20 minutes (+30 minutes marinating), cooking 25 minutes.
Servings: 4.