Shankalish - Spicy appetizer with sheep cheese

Shankalish - Spicy Appetizer with Sheep Cheese

If you're looking for a quick and tasty appetizer that brings a touch of oriental flavor to your table, Shankalish is the ideal choice. This dish is a staple in Arab restaurants, being not only delicious but also visually appealing. I will present you with a simple yet flavorful recipe that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 150 g sheep cheese
- 1 green onion
- 1/2 small green pepper
- 1 small tomato
- 1 teaspoon fresh (or dried) oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 hot red peppers
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1. Preparing the cheese: Start by placing the sheep cheese in a large bowl. Use a fork to crumble it well until you achieve a creamy consistency, but with visible chunks. The sheep cheese offers an intense and salty flavor, so make sure it is of good quality.

2. Chopping the vegetables: Wash all the vegetables well. Slice the green pepper and green onion into thin rounds. The small tomato should be diced, and the hot peppers can be sliced thinly, with or without seeds, depending on how spicy you prefer the appetizer.

3. Mixing the ingredients: Add the chopped vegetables over the cheese in the bowl. Sprinkle oregano, sesame seeds, sweet paprika, and freshly ground pepper. All these spices will add a spicy and aromatic note to the appetizer.

4. Adding the olive oil: Finally, pour the olive oil over the mixture and mix all the ingredients well with a spatula or wooden spoon. Make sure all the ingredients are well integrated so that the flavors combine perfectly.

5. Serving: To make the dish even more attractive, you can transfer it to a serving platter and garnish it with a few slices of hot pepper or fresh parsley leaves. This appetizer can be served alongside warm pita bread or crunchy crackers, making it ideal for buffets or parties.

Useful tips:
- You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta, to slightly change the flavor of the dish.
- If you like a more intense taste, you can add some finely chopped black or green olives.
- Shankalish can be prepared a few hours before serving, allowing the flavors to blend and intensify.

Shankalish is not just an appetizer, but a culinary experience that will transport you directly to the heart of Arab cuisine. Enjoy!