Beef Malai Boti

Tandoor is a clay oven used for cooking and baking. Most commonly tandoors are used for baking naan and cooking meats. Since using a tandoor is a laborious process, Tandoori meats are reserved for special celebrations in Pakistan. With Eid on the horizon, what a better way to prepare than to learn about a special type of tandoori dish called Malai Boti. Boti simply means a small cubed chunk of meat and malai means cream. Yogurt and cream are used as the main marinade ingredients in this dish. Another surprising ingredient used in malai boti marinade is papaya. Yes, you read it right, papaya! Papaya is readily available in Pakistan and is commonly used as a meat tenderizer in its raw form. You have to be careful though because too much papaya can make the meat taste bitter!

The recipe below is from my mother. Since I don't have a tandoor, I will be grilling the meats instead. Hope you enjoy it during your Ramadan and Eid celebrations!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cubed boneless beef

• 6 tbsp raw shredded papaya

• 3/4 cup yogurt

• 3 tbsp cream

• 1 tbsp garlic

• 1 tbsp ginger

• 3 tbsp onion paste

• 1 tbsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp green chili paste

• 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp coriander powder

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 1/2 tsp garam masala

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 tbsp oil

Directions:

• In a bowl mix beef with all the ingredients and marinate overnight

• Skew the meat on skewers with vegetables of your choice and grill on BBQ grill until fully cooked

• Serve with chutney, fresh salad, and poori!