Ingredients
One kg of lamb intestines (cleaned); 1 tbsp of olive oil; 4 cloves of garlic (minced); 1 tbsp of red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp of garlic (finely chopped);1 tbsp of dried oregano; salt to taste.
Preparation and Cooking
- After obtaining clean intestines (as given below), load them onto skewers to cook in the wood fired oven using the utensil shown in Chapter 6 (1l). This can be done by finding one end of the intestine and securing it onto the end of the skewer; then wrapping it around the skewer in a spiral manner while slightly overlaping with each wrap until they are all used up. The final end of the intestine needs to be secured too.
- Combine the olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano in a bowl and brush the intestines with this spice mixture, then place them on the utensil and put it inside the wood fired oven.
- Grill the intestines at 150-170oC for about 20 min until crispy and well-cooked. Avoid the flame readiation and use Area E of the oven.
- Then remove the intestines from the oven and chop them into small pieces and mix with some salt to taste and with preferred spices.
- Serve the final cooked mixture in flat yufka bread, pide, half or quarter of loaf bread or in a sandwich. Note that tomatoes, finely sliced red onion or pickles can be used as additional topings if desired.
Hints and Comments
- Kokoreç is a very popular Turkish street food, traditionally made from lamb or goat intestines.
- Note that finding animal intestines to make Kokorec can be challenging in Western countries due to different culinary traditions and food safety regulations. However, it can still be found in specialty butcher shops or direct from farmers.
- If it is not purchased cleaned, intestine can be cleaned by the following steps:
- Rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any visible impurities.
- Soak in a solution of water and vinegar (or lemon juice) for a few hours.
- Turn inside out by attaching one end to a tap and run water through it to push the interior layer out and scrape off any remaining fat or other impurities using a blunt knife.
- Boil it for 5-10 min in water with vinegar or lemon juice for further cleaning.
- Rinse it once more under cold running water.
- If not used immediately, it can be stored in a bowl of water with a little vinegar or lemon juice in the fridge.
