I’m not really in the business of trying to fool any meat eaters with my vegetarian recipes. I stay away from mock meat for the most part and I just bask in the glory that is a well prepared plant based meal. But this Beyond Meat stuff is really testing my resolve as a dyed in the wool vegetarian, and it’s also making it possible for me to slip more plant based meals under the radar to my unassuming, carnivorous family members. Case in point: this vegetarian chicken shawarma I just made over the weekend. There are no words, let’s just say these are amazing. You can’t get a meatier meal than shawarma, and up until now there was absolutely no viable vegetarian substitute. This recipe from Gimme Delicious has the slow roasted taste of your classic shawarma with none of the meat. You must try this!!!
Vegetarian ‘Chicken’ Shawarma
Ingredients
- 1 pack Beyond Meat© Chicken strips
- ½ cup sliced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil ( 2 for the pan and 2 in the paste)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon all spice
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 pitas
- optional toppings sliced onion, tomatoes, lettuce
- Creamy Yogurt White Sauce
Directions
- Combine the spices, garlic, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. The mixture will form a thick paste. Next, add the chicken strips and onions. Combine the chicken with the paste.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large heavy-duty pan or skillet. After the pan is very hot toss in the chicken and onion mixture. Sautee for 2-3 minutes or until he chicken is lightly charred and the onions are soft.
- to make a shawarma sandwich, lay a pita flat on a plate with a sheet of foil under it. Top with chicken, veggies and sauce.
***If you’re vegan, leave out the sauce!