Ground Meat Kebab

The popular, spiced minced-meat stick of Middle Eastern cooking, which comes together any time on the grill or in a pan.

1. Chop or grate the onion and the garlic very finely – the finer, the better the mixture holds together.

2. To the minced beef add the onion, the garlic, the ground cumin, the paprika and the salt.

3. Knead and work the mixture thoroughly by hand for 4-5 minutes, until it comes together and turns slightly sticky – this stops it falling apart during cooking.

4. With wet hands shape it into long sticks; if you have them, thread them onto skewers, but pressed flat they can be pan-fried too.

5. In a hot, well-oiled pan or on a grill, over a high heat, cook them for 3-4 minutes per side, turning now and then, until they take on a nice brown crust all round and are just cooked through inside.

6. Serve with fresh vegetables and your favourite sauce.

Tip: Rest the mixture in the fridge for half an hour before cooking – this way the sticks hold their shape better.