Pita Durum / Doner Kebab Recipe

Doner, meaning "turn around" as does the
roasted meat on the spit.

World's most popular fast-food? You're likely thinking it's McDonald's or the American hamburger, right? No. The Turkish doner kebab, which I knew lovingly merely as a pita durum in Belgium has become the staple of late-night friture (fry shop) runs. There's various takes on this food-log of a burrito, but my favorite is that of the Middle Eastern snack shops in Brussels which stuff a tortilla with spit-roasted lamb (or sometimes chicken) and frites (fries) (which is absolutely amazing) along with sauce and salad. At about 3.50 Euros, they're cheap and delicious, but the quality of the durum varies from shop to shop.

My favorite came from a shop called Au P'tit Creux 2 in Anderlecht. I'd typically stop in waiting for the last 31 tram of the night at Saint Guidon after a night of drinking. By far, they seemed to have the best meat, and always stuffed it full of frites. It made the perfect take-home indulgence.

A typical furniture in Belgium where you could find a Durum.

I've now made these at home since arriving Stateside, and shared them with my family. They've been a huge hit. You can use lamb or chicken of course, and either use a sauce of your choice (like Ranch which is very similar) or try the sauce blanche which is my favorite and I include below.

While not traditional, I also enjoy grilling my onions with the chicken or lamb.

In Belgium, salad can also include corn, and carrots.

Pita Durum / Doner Kebab

Ingredients:
French fries (fast-food style)
Durum seasoning (see below)
Salad (lettuce, tomato, onions)
Shaved lamb or chicken
tortillas
Sauce blanche

Durum Seasoning:

In some places they call it a shawarma. I call it
delicious.

1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon of cayenne powder
pinch pepper
few tablespoons of olive oil

Method:

1. Marinate chicken or lamb in durum seasoning with a bit of olive oil.
2. On high heat, cook chicken or lamb with a bit of olive oil till crispy on the outside.
3. Place sauce on tortilla and fold in half and spread sauce.
4. Deep fry the french fries.
5. Place fries, meat, and salad in tortilla, and grill over a warm pan.
6. Wrap tortilla and place in foil. 
7. Enjoy.