K is for Kebab or Kabab
Kebab (or kabab, kabob) is a wide variety of meat dishes originating in Persia (modern-day Iran), and later on adopted in the Middle East, Turkey, South Asia and Asia Minor, that are now found worldwide. I thought kebabs were only served on a skewer---I was wrong. Kebab includes grilled, roasted, and stewed dishes of large or small cuts of meat, or even ground meat; it may be served on plates, sandwiches or in bowls. The traditional meat for kebab is lamb, but depending on local tastes and taboos, it may now be beef, goat, chicken, pork, fish and seafood, even vegetarian. Like other ethnic foods brought by travelers, the kebab has become part of everyday cuisine in many countries around the globe.
I learned to appreciate kebabs and other Mediterranean food from a Middle Eastern client who visited Manila a few times over the years. My friend J and I grabbed some chicken and beef kebabs from this stall at the Mall of Asia just before closing time. Turned out, the owner, an Indian national, was J's classmate in grad school. He gave us a 50% discount! Nice guy!:p
