Rotisserie Recipes Food Cooking International Guide

Rotisserie Cooking Around The World

By Sanjay R M Gupta

Rotisserie cooking is the roasting of skewered meat on a spit and revolves over a flame or other heat source. The rotation cooks the meat evenly in its own juices and allows easy access for continuous basting.

In the past, rotisseries were turned by hand or by clockwork mechanisms. These days, they are usually driven by electric motors.

Cooking on a spit is an old tradition, which can be found in different cultures around the world, using various versions over an open fire.

Nowadays, rotisserie cooking is incorporated into the most modern ovens. There are many tasty recipes available for skewered meat, fish and vegetables.

Many commercial ovens use a horizontal design but some domestic ovens have these too. The vertical rotisserie, when the heat source normally comes from the side, is to be found more in the home.

Meat prepared in this way cooks evenly but it needs to keep moist, so basting is advisable. Rotisserie cooking is good for keeping the flavor in.

You can cook just about anything using this method but chicken, lamb and pork do seem to suit it best. Placing vegetables such as peppers between the pieces of meat all adds to the taste.

Doner Kebab

There are classic traditions in different parts of the world that are very similar to each other. Most people will be familiar with the Doner Kebab, which originated in Turkey and was further developed in Germany.

It is used as fast food after a night out on the town in many Western cities. The meat is turned slowly in rotisserie cooking and the Doner is usually beef, chicken or mutton accompanied by salad and yogurt sauce in a pita bun.

Greek Gyros

The version that can be found in Greece is called Gyros(Greek for "turning"). The pita sandwich is better known as Souvlaki. It's also a filling for pita bread and the meat is usually lamb, beef, pork or chicken.

This is served with salad, a yogurt sauce called Tzatziki, French fries and onions. Souvlaki can now be found all around the world, from Greece to the USA to Australia and places in between.

Shawarma

The Middle East have their own recipes for spit roasted lamb, chicken, turkey or beef. Their pita sandwich is called a Shawarma and is popular in several countries, including Syria, Israel and the Lebanon. Shawarma is know as guss in Iraq

The filling usually includes salad, parsley, turnips, pickled gherkins and cabbage with a variety of sauces.

Mexican Taco Al Pastor

Mexico has the Taco al pastor, a filling that goes into a tortilla wrap. It's commonly various kinds of meat(usually pork), fish or cheese, served with a chili sauce or guacamole. It is marinated with a blend of different spices and gravy, and then slowly cooked on a vertical rotisserie with a pineapple and onion on top.

Even with all our state of the art kitchens, it's still nice to get outside and cook. Food seems to taste better outside and slow cooking is terrific, especially for meat. Rotisserie cooking, as long as it's not allowed to dry out, keeps the meat tender.

Our ancestors used to celebrate special occasions with a hog roast for everyone to feast on. This desire to spit roast must still be in the genes.

Nowadays, we like to sit in the Sunday sun and and enjoy an outside roast. It is a fun activity for all the family.

Sunday roast

The dad is usually cooking the roast on an outside spit and makes sure the meat is continually kept moist with oils and basil and other spices, so that it cooks well. The mother is usually preparing the salads.

The rest of the family assists with setting the table and making sure there is lots of fun and laughter all around. A bottle of the local wine washes down well with the roast and the salad.

At least, nowadays, we don't have to go hunting for the hog first!

You can always buy one from the local butcher or your local meat supplier. Make sure its fresh and cook it on the same day or the next day, so it tastes tender.

About the Author:
Sanjay R M Gupta has written a number of articles including Indian recipes, Spicy Hot Pepper Sauce, Raw Food, Southern Recipes.
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