Cinem is a popular Turkish street food that has become a favorite all over the world. It consists of crusty bread filled with grilled meat, vegetables, and various condiments.
If you’re a fan of this delicious snack, you might be wondering how to make it at home.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go to Turkey to enjoy authentic cinem. With the following recipes, you can make your own cinem right in your kitchen. Let’s get started!.
Classic Beef Cinem
This recipe is a classic cinem that’s easy to make and tastes just like the real thing.
Ingredients:.
- 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:.
- Season the beef with paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a grill pan over high heat and add the olive oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the beef slices and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Fill each pita with beef, onion, tomato, and parsley.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Chicken Cinem with Garlic Sauce
If you prefer chicken to beef, this cinem recipe is a perfect choice. It’s packed with flavor and topped with a delicious garlic sauce.
Ingredients:.
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Garlic Sauce Ingredients:.
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:.
- Season the chicken with cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a grill pan over high heat and add the olive oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the chicken strips and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Fill each pita with chicken, onion, tomato, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt to make the garlic sauce.
- Top each cinem with garlic sauce and serve immediately.
Lamb and Eggplant Cinem
This cinem recipe takes a bit more time than the others, but it’s worth it. The combination of lamb and eggplant is absolutely delicious.
Ingredients:.
- 1 lb lamb leg, cut into cubes
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large eggplant, cut into cubes
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mint, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:.
- Season the lamb with paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat a grill pan over high heat and add the olive oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the lamb cubes and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Grill the eggplant cubes until softened and lightly charred.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Fill each pita with lamb, eggplant, onion, tomato, and mint.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Vegan Cinem with Hummus and Salad
Even if you’re a vegan, you can still enjoy cinem. This recipe uses hummus and salad to fill up the pita bread.
Ingredients:.
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Hummus Ingredients:.
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:.
- Mash the chickpeas with a fork and mix in cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper to make the hummus.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Spread the hummus on each pita.
- Fill each pita with cucumber, tomato, and parsley.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Baba Ghanoush Cinem
This cinem recipe uses baba ghanoush instead of meat to create a vegetarian-friendly dish that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients:.
- 1 large eggplant
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Baba Ghanoush Ingredients:.
- 1 large eggplant
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:.
- Grill the eggplant until soft and charred.
- Remove the flesh from the eggplant and mash it with a fork.
- Mix in garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and salt to make the baba ghanoush.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Spread the baba ghanoush on each pita.
- Fill each pita with onion, tomato, and cilantro.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Spicy Pork Cinem with Yogurt Sauce
This cinem recipe uses pork and a bit of spice to create a dish that’s full of flavor. The yogurt sauce helps to cool down the heat and create a perfect balance of flavors.
Ingredients:.
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, thinly sliced
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:.
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:.
- Season the pork with paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat a grill pan over high heat and add the olive oil.
- When the oil is hot, add the pork slices and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Fill each pita with pork, onion, tomato, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, and salt to make the yogurt sauce.
- Top each cinem with yogurt sauce and serve immediately.
Turkish Breakfast Cinem
This cinem recipe is perfect for breakfast or brunch. It’s packed with protein and flavor.
Ingredients:.
- 4 eggs
- 4 pita breads
- 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add the butter.
- When the butter is melted, crack the eggs into the pan and cook to your liking.
- Season the eggs with paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Fill each pita with egg, tomato, and parsley.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Cheese Cinem with Spinach
This cinem recipe uses cheese and spinach to create a vegetarian-friendly dish that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients:.
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Add the spinach to the pan and cook until wilted.
- Season the spinach with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Warm the pita breads in the oven or on the grill.
- Layer the cheese and spinach on each pita.
- Wrap the pita tightly and serve immediately.
Conclusion
Cinem is a delicious and filling snack that’s perfect for any occasion. With the above recipes, you can create your own cinem that’s just as tasty as the ones sold on the streets of Turkey.
Whether you prefer meat or veggies, there’s a cinem recipe out there that’s perfect for you. So go ahead and try them out!.