Tandoor Pork Kebab

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you cook pork kebab in a tandoor? First, prep the meat. Which cut of pork is best? The juiciest, tastiest kebab comes from the neck (pork collar) — it's nicely marbled and tender. The best kebab is made from fresh meat that's never been frozen. Cut the meat into small, evenly sized pieces.

2. Step 2:

   

   Prep the rest of the ingredients. Peel the onions. Rinse the basil and onions in clean water.

3. Step 3:

   

   Put the pork in a deep bowl or pot. Cut the onion into medium rings or half-moons. Scrunch the onion lightly in your hands to release its juices, then add it to the meat.

4. Step 4:

   

   Pour in the soy sauce. Crush the basil sprigs between your fingers and add them to the rest. Salt to taste — you may not need much, since soy sauce is already salty. Add ground black pepper and dry meat seasonings. If you have a ready-made kebab spice blend, use that too.

5. Step 5:

   

   Mix everything well, working the meat together with the onion and herbs with your hands. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate to marinate. The longer the meat sits, the more fragrant and flavorful the kebab will be — I usually leave it overnight at least.

6. Step 6:

   

   Light the tandoor. Let it burn for a while, feeding in firewood as needed. When the walls of the tandoor turn white and there's a good bed of coals inside, you're ready to cook. I usually burn wood for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

7. Step 7:

   

   Meanwhile, thread the meat onto skewers. Don't pack the pieces too tightly, or they may not cook through in the middle.

8. Step 8:

   

   Hang the skewers in the tandoor on the special rack or through the slots in the lid. Close the vent and the lid. Leave the kebabs until they're fully cooked. The cooking time varies — it depends on the model and size of the tandoor, how much heat the coals are giving off, and so on.

9. Step 9:

   

   After 15 minutes, check a piece of meat by cutting into it. If the juices run clear, it's done! It took me 30 minutes to cook the pork through.

10. Step 10:

    

    Serve the fragrant tandoor kebab hot, with fresh vegetables and salads, your favorite sauces, and pickles!