Dürüm, derived from the original Turkish word “dürüm” meaning roll, is a staple of Turkish cuisine, particularly in its diaspora. It’s a type of wrap assembled with thin, round, flatbread filled with seasoned and spiced meats and vegetables, making it a popular portable street food. The meats, typically lamb, beef, or chicken, are marinated in yogurt, tomato, and spices, then roasted and sliced from vertical rotisseries, commonly found in various places globally.
Dürüm de Pollo: Chicken Dürüm
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of chicken breast in large pieces
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons of thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of sweet or spicy paprika
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 heaping tablespoon of butter
For the Accompaniment:
- Dürüm bread or large Mexican tortillas (burrito size)
- 1 red onion
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2-3 tomatoes
- 4-8 lettuce leaves
Instructions:
- Peel and grate or finely chop the onion. Peel and chop the garlic.
- Place them in a bowl with yogurt, tomato paste, vinegar, thyme, cumin, paprika, salt, plenty of freshly ground pepper, and olive oil.
- Add the chicken and stir to coat the pieces with the marinade.
- Place the marinated chicken on a large piece of plastic wrap, forming a long roll with overlapping pieces, pressing tightly. Freeze for five or six hours until firm but not completely frozen.
- Prepare the red onion for the garnish. Julienne cut and marinate in a bowl with lemon juice for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove the chicken roll from the freezer, unwrap, and cut into slices or shreds to your liking with a sharp knife.
- Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet and quickly sauté the chicken slices over high heat until just cooked through and browned on the outside.
- Place one or two lettuce leaves, tomato slices, and marinated red onion slices, drained from the juice, to each bread or tortilla. Distribute the chicken among the four tortillas.
- Close each roll and wrap, if it’s easier, with wax paper or aluminum foil to keep it from unfolding. Serve immediately while warm.
Vegetarian Dürüm
Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- 1 large red onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 small zucchini
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of thyme
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon of sweet or spicy paprika
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 heaping tablespoon of butter
For the Accompaniment:
- Dürüm bread or large Mexican tortillas (burrito size)
- 2-3 tomatoes
- 4-8 lettuce leaves
Instructions:
- Peel and cut the red onion into thin wedges. Remove the stem and seeds from the bell pepper and cut into strips. Cut the zucchini into sticks, unpeeled, and microwave for five minutes to remove some of its water.
- Peel and chop the garlic.
- Place all vegetables in a bowl with yogurt, tomato paste, thyme, cumin, paprika, salt, plenty of freshly ground pepper, and olive oil. Stir and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Beat the eggs and cook them with a little oil in a firm omelet. Keep warm.
- Remove the vegetables from the marinade; drain as they may have released some liquid.
- Heat the butter in a non-stick skillet and sauté the vegetables over high heat until slightly browned on the outside and al dente.
- Place one or two lettuce leaves and tomato slices to each bread or tortilla. Distribute the vegetables and sliced omelet among the four tortillas.
- Close each roll and wrap, if it’s easier, with wax paper or aluminum foil to keep it from unfolding. Serve immediately while warm.
Conclusion
Dürüm, whether filled with succulent chicken or flavorful vegetables, is a versatile and delicious street food that captures the essence of Turkish cuisine. With its portable nature and customizable fillings, it’s a favorite among food lovers worldwide. Whether enjoyed on the bustling streets of Istanbul or made at home with your favorite ingredients, dürüm offers a satisfying and flavorful experience that delights the senses.