Nova Scotia's most iconic dish, the donair, is a delightful culinary invention that tantalizes taste buds with its unique blend of flavors and textures. Originating in Halifax in the 1970s, this beloved sandwich has become a symbol of the province's rich culinary heritage. Whether you are a local or a visitor, embarking on a delectable journey to discover the best recipe to cook Nova Scotia-style donair is an absolute must. In this article, we will delve into the secrets of crafting this sandwich masterpiece, providing you with expert tips and tricks to ensure your donair turns out perfectly every time. So, get ready to savor the deliciousness of thinly sliced donair meat, nestled in a soft pita pocket, adorned with sweet donair sauce, and topped with fresh tomatoes, onions, and a sprinkle of parsley. Let's embark on this culinary adventure and discover the best recipe to cook Nova Scotia-style donair!
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
NOVA SCOTIA DONAIRS
Make and share this Nova Scotia Donairs recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Tonkcats
Categories Meat
Yield 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Mix well loaf ingredients and shape into 1 or 2 loaves.
- Bake on broiler pan or cake rack on cookie sheet at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours and cool.
- Slice very thin and warm before using (heat in frypan). This can also be frozen and used any time. Method: Run water over Lebanese bread and fry in pan with a little oil.
- Spread with sauce and add meat, finely chopped onion, chopped tomato and lettuce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 5992.9, Fat 283.3, SaturatedFat 111.2, Cholesterol 1591.7, Sodium 2568, Carbohydrate 333.9, Fiber 8.5, Sugar 253.1, Protein 501.6
NOVA SCOTIA STYLE DONAIR
If you've ever been to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, hopefully you had the chance to try a donair. This is the recipe used to make those donairs in some places in town. Remember to knead that meat until it's almost a paste!
Provided by Bryan & Jenni
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Ground
Time 9h10m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a large baking pan with sides.
- Place beef, lamb, flour, salt, oregano, dry mustard, 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chile pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning in a bowl; knead all ingredients together with your hands until mixture is like a paste, about 10 minutes. Roll the meat mixture into a large loaf shape, and place into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Remove from oven; place meat on a drip rack until completely cool to allow juices and fat to drain. Refrigerate meat for 6 hours or overnight.
- Stir evaporated milk, sugar, and 2 teaspoons garlic powder together in a small bowl; gradually stir in vinegar just until mixture thickens.
- Slice donair meat into strips about 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick. Fry meat strips in single-sandwich batches in a skillet over medium-high heat until meat begins to crisp at the edges; remove from pan. Quickly rub 1 pita round lightly with water; fry pita in same frying pan, turning once, just until warm, about 1 minute.
- Spread pita with about 1/2 tablespoons of sauce mixture, top with donair meat, and garnish with onion, tomato, and more sauce; repeat with remaining meat and pita.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 calories, Carbohydrate 44.9 g, Cholesterol 103.3 mg, Fat 21.6 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 32.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 1003.8 mg, Sugar 14.6 g
THE ORIGINAL DONAIR FROM THE EAST COAST OF CANADA
In the early 70's, a Greek restaurateur in the city of Halifax introduced the Donair. Within a few short years, virtually all pizzerias had added their version of the dish to their menus. Not to be confused with gyros, the Donair has a vastly different flavor. Originally the dish was made with ground lamb, but this proved too costly and ground beef was later substituted. Technically, this resulted in an aberration of sorts, as the final product was not what the originator had intended. What resulted, however, is the legendary East Coast Donair.
Provided by Del
Categories Main Dish Recipes Sandwich Recipes Gyro Recipes
Time 9h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a bowl, thoroughly mix together the ground beef, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Pack the spiced meat into a thick loaf shape, cover, and let rest in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Place the meat loaf onto a baking sheet, and bake for 1 hour, flipping the loaf over halfway through cooking. Allow the meat loaf to cool so it holds together for slicing.
- Mix together the evaporated milk and white sugar in a bowl, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and then add the vinegar by teaspoons, mixing together after each addition, to taste. Refrigerate the sauce until serving.
- Slice the meat loaf into 1/4-inch thick slices, and brown the slices in a skillet over medium heat until both sides are brown and crisp, about 5 minutes per side.
- Sprinkle the pita bread rounds with a little water, and press each onto a heated skillet to warm up.
- To serve, place several slices of meat into a warmed pita bread, and spoon about 2 tablespoons of sauce over the meat. Roll the pita bread into a cone shape, wrap in aluminum foil to keep the sauce from dripping out, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 449.8 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Cholesterol 63.7 mg, Fat 14.3 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 813.6 mg, Sugar 23.5 g
Tips:
- Choose the right donair meat: Traditionally, donair meat is made from a mixture of ground beef and lamb, but you can also use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer.
- Season the meat well: The key to a flavorful donair is to season the meat well with a blend of spices, including garlic, cumin, paprika, and oregano.
- Cook the meat slowly: Donair meat is typically cooked on a vertical spit, but you can also cook it in a slow cooker or oven. The key is to cook it slowly and evenly so that it becomes tender and juicy.
- Make the donair sauce: The donair sauce is what really makes the dish special. It's usually made with a blend of condensed milk, evaporated milk, vinegar, and garlic powder.
- Assemble the donair: To assemble the donair, simply place the meat on a piece of pita bread, top it with the sauce, and add any desired toppings, such as tomatoes, onions, and pickles.
Conclusion:
Donairs are a delicious and iconic Nova Scotian dish that are perfect for any occasion. They're easy to make at home, and they're sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a tasty and unique meal, give donairs a try!
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