by Chef Adrian Clay

I’ve gotta say I really love middle eastern cuisine but I’m sick of buying the processed artificial sauces that really taste like nothing. Don’t taste like any sort of eastern flavour that is.  Are only available in the traditional flavours like Butter Chicken etc.  Lovers of Middle Eastern cuisine will know the important role spices play in the preparation of traditional meals.

Enter Sami’s Kitchen.  They have a range of authentic Middle Eastern spice blends:

• Shawarma blend – (82g) ideal for meat dishes
• Shish Tawook blend – (82g) ideal for chicken dishes
• Falafel blend – (82g) ideal for a vegetarian feast
• Zaatar blend – (82g) ideal for salads and as a bread dip

I have cooked with both the Shish Tawook spice and the Shawarma spice blend. When I first opened the packet of Shish Tawook spice blend… the aroma that left the packet absolutely blew me away! It was just so authentic. There is a sweet garlic like aroma with a hint of citrus.  I used it to marinade chicken and fish and it just added the most phenomenal flavour and authentic taste.

The Shawarma spice blend was a little more subtle but still gives off that Middle Eastern aroma familiar with cumin, pepper and cardamom.  When used as a marinade for lamb or a red meat of choice, the flavour is just exceptional.

The good news is their products are blended and packaged within approved premises of the highest quality that comply with all Australian and New Zealand food regulations and standards. They don’t contain any fillers, starches, glutens, MSG or other nasties. The spice blends are free of Salt, except for the Zaatar blend where it is a necessary ingredient.  The pack sizes range from retail, to 500g and 1kg for foodservice, or larger custom packs available upon request only.  Purchases can be made direct on their website, or from selected stockists in Australia and New Zealand.

In all my years in a commercial kitchen I’m yet to come across a spice blend that comes close to authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine flavour as Sami’s Kitchen does.