Donair sauce: the perfect blend of tangy and creamy flavors. This classic condiment is a must-try for all sauce enthusiasts. From its origins in Canadian cuisine to its widespread popularity, discover the secrets behind this delectable accompaniment that elevates any dish to new levels of deliciousness.
What is a Donair?
A Donair is a popular East Coast Canadian dish that originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It consists of ground beef mixed with spices such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. The meat mixture is then formed into a log shape and cooked on a vertical spit or rotisserie. The traditional Halifax style Donair is served in a pita bread with toppings such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cheese. It is typically accompanied by a sweet sauce made from evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken the sauce. The Donair has become extremely popular across the US and Canada and can now be found at many restaurants.
What is Donair Meat?
Donair meat is a type of ground beef that is seasoned with a variety of spices and cooked in a unique way. It originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has become a popular comfort food in the region. The meat is typically mixed with ingredients such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. The mixture is then formed into a log shape and cooked on a vertical spit or rotisserie. This method of cooking gives the meat its distinct flavor and texture.
The history of donair meat dates back to Berlin where it was initially known as “Donair Kebab” and served by a Turkish restaurant owner. The Greeks later created their version called the Gyro using lamb meat. In the 1960s, John and Peter Kamoulakos from Bedford, Nova Scotia introduced their own variation of the gyro to locals but found that they preferred ground beef over lamb. They modified the recipe by using ground beef and adding a sweet sauce, which became known as the “Halifax Donair.” Since then, it has gained popularity across North America.
To make donair meat at home, you will need ground beef and various spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. These ingredients are mixed together using an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment to ensure proper mixing and consistency. Once mixed thoroughly, the meat mixture is shaped into a log formation and either placed on a vertical spit for grilling or covered in foil for baking in the oven.
What is donair Sauce?
Donair sauce is a sweet and tangy garlic sauce that is traditionally served with Halifax Donairs. It is made by combining evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch. The corn starch is used to thicken the sauce to a consistency similar to ketchup. Donair sauce adds a delicious flavor to the donair meat in the pita, enhancing its overall taste. The sauce can also be used with other foods such as fries, burgers, chicken fingers, and donair pizza. It is easy to make and can be kept chilled in the fridge for several days.
How to Make a Donair
To make an authentic Halifax Donair, you will need an electric mixer with a dough hook, ground beef, and various spices such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. Start by combining all the ingredients into the mixer bowl and attaching the dough hook. Turn on the mixer to mix the ingredients well and get the ground beef to the right consistency.
Once mixed, remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow it to cool and set in place. You can then choose how to cook your Donair meat – either on a gas grill with a rotisserie attachment or in your oven. If using a gas grill, pierce the rotisserie spit through the center of the log and attach rotisserie holders. Cook for about one hour or until the meat reaches 160°F.
If using your oven, keep the meat wrapped in foil and pierce two long skewers through the foil and meat. Place a catch tray or pan below to collect any drippings. Cook for about one hour at 350°F before removing the foil and cooking for another 30 minutes to brown up. Once cooked, let the meat cool before slicing it thinly.
Servings: 10
Servings: 10
The Halifax Donair is a beloved comfort food from the East Coast of Canada. It originated in Nova Scotia and has since gained popularity across the US and Canada. The key to a good Halifax Donair is the unique combination of ground beef and spices, which are mixed together using an electric mixer with a dough hook. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed and the meat reaches the right consistency.
Once the meat mixture is ready, it is formed into a log shape and cooked on a vertical spit. If you have a rotisserie attachment for your gas grill, this is the perfect way to cook the Donair meat at home. Alternatively, you can use your oven by wrapping the meat in tin foil and cooking it at 350F.
While the meat is cooking, you can prepare the signature sweet sauce that accompanies the Halifax Donair. The sauce is made with evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken it. Once everything is ready, assemble your Donair by adding slices of the cooked meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), cheese, and a generous amount of sweet sauce inside a pita bread.
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings and can be easily enjoyed by family and friends. It’s a delicious way to recreate an authentic Halifax Donair experience in your own kitchen.
Total Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours
Making an authentic Halifax Donair may take some time, but the end result is well worth it. First, you’ll want to prepare the sweet sauce by combining all the ingredients in a saucepan except for the corn starch. Mix well and heat on low/medium heat, stirring frequently. Once warmed through, gradually add corn starch to thicken the sauce to a ketchup-like consistency. Cool the sauce and refrigerate.
Next, it’s time to work on the donair meat. Combine all the ingredients in an electric mixer bowl with a dough hook attachment. Mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes until well combined and the ground beef is somewhat mashed. Remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Pack it tightly and remove any air pockets. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set.
Now you can choose your cooking method: gas grill rotisserie, oven, or pellet grill smoker. If using a gas grill rotisserie, pierce the spit through the center of the log and attach rotisserie holders. For oven cooking, keep the meat wrapped in foil and pierce two long skewers through both sides of the meat to hang it above a catch tray in your oven. Set your grill or oven to 350F.
Cooking times may vary depending on your chosen method, but generally cook for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160F. If using an oven, remove the foil after an hour and cook for another 30 minutes to brown up.
Once cooked, let the meat cool before slicing it thinly using a deli meat slicer if desired. To assemble your Halifax Donair, lightly steam pita bread before adding several slices of donair meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. Finish off with a liberal amount of the sweet sauce and wrap the donair in foil to keep everything neat. Now you can enjoy your homemade Halifax Donair!
Note: This recipe may take up to 4 hours, including preparation and cooking time.
Equipment You Will Need
To make an authentic Halifax Donair, you will need the following equipment:
- Electric Mixer with Dough Hook (Kitchenaid or Similar)
- Deli Meat Slicer (Optional but great for making thin slices of Donair meat)
Halifax Donair Sauce Recipe
The Halifax Donair Sauce is a key component of the iconic Halifax Donair. It is a sweet and tangy sauce that perfectly complements the flavorful donair meat. To make the sauce, you will need evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch.
To prepare the sauce, combine all the ingredients except for the corn starch in a saucepan and mix well. Place the saucepan on low to medium heat and stir frequently. Once the sauce is warm and well mixed, gradually add corn starch to thicken it to a ketchup-like consistency.
Once thickened, cool the sauce down and refrigerate it. You can store it in a squeeze bottle for easy application. The Halifax Donair Sauce can also be used as a delicious accompaniment to other dishes such as fries, burgers, chicken fingers, and even donair pizza.
Overall, this homemade Halifax Donair Sauce recipe allows you to recreate the authentic flavors of this beloved East Coast comfort food right in your own kitchen.
Donair Sweet Sauce Recipe Ingredients
The Donair Sweet Sauce is a key component of the Halifax Donair. Here are the ingredients you will need:
- 1-2 TBSP Corn Starch (use as needed for thickening)
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
To make the Donair Sweet Sauce, follow these steps:
- In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the corn starch.
- Mix well and place the saucepan on low to medium heat.
- Stir frequently until the sauce is warm and well mixed.
- Add corn starch gradually to thicken the sauce, aiming for a similar consistency to ketchup.
- Cool the sauce down and refrigerate. You can transfer it into a squeeze bottle for easy application.
This sweet garlic-flavored sauce complements the Donair meat in the pita perfectly. It can also be used with other foods like fries, burgers, chicken fingers, and donair pizza. Enjoy!
Donair Sweet Sauce Recipe Instructions
To make the Donair sweet sauce, combine all the ingredients into a saucepan except for the corn starch. Mix well and place the saucepan on low/medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce is warm and well mixed.
Gradually add corn starch to thicken the sauce, aiming for a consistency similar to ketchup. Once thickened, cool the sauce down and refrigerate. It can be stored in a squeeze bottle for easy application.
You can use this sweet sauce not only with your Donair but also with other foods like fries, burgers, chicken fingers, and even donair pizza.
Halifax Donair Meat Recipe
The Halifax Donair meat is a flavorful and savory blend of ground beef and spices, cooked to perfection. To make the authentic Halifax Donair meat, you will need an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment. Start by combining ground beef with ingredients such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil in the mixer bowl.
Attach the bowl to the mixer and turn it on to a speed setting of 4-5. Let the mixer run for about 5 minutes to ensure that all the spices are well mixed and incorporated into the ground beef. The mixture should have a somewhat mashed consistency.
Once the mixing is complete, remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Pack the meat tightly to eliminate air pockets and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set in place.
Donair Meat Ingredients
The Donair meat is made using ground beef and a variety of spices. The ingredients for the Donair meat include black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. These spices are mixed with the ground beef using an electric mixer with a dough hook to ensure proper mixing and consistency.
After mixing the spices with the ground beef, the mixture is formed into a log shape and placed on a vertical spit for cooking. If you have a rotisserie attachment on your gas grill, this is the perfect way to cook the Donair meat. Alternatively, you can cover the meat in tin foil and cook it in the oven. The meat should be cooked for about 1 hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F.
The traditional Halifax style Donair uses a sweet sauce that complements the flavor of the Donair meat in the pita. The sauce is made using evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken it. The sauce should be warmed on low/medium heat and stirred frequently until well mixed. Corn starch can be added gradually to achieve the desired thickness.
Donair Sandwich Ingredients
The key ingredient for a Donair sandwich is the Donair meat, which is made from ground beef mixed with spices such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. You will also need pita bread to serve as the base of the sandwich.
Other ingredients for the Donair sandwich include tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. These toppings add freshness and texture to the sandwich. Lastly, you will need the signature Donair Sweet Sauce, made from evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken the sauce.
To make an authentic Halifax Donair sandwich at home, you will need an electric mixer with a dough hook for mixing the ground beef and spices. If you have a rotisserie attachment for your gas grill or a deli meat slicer (optional), these tools can enhance the cooking process. However, if you don’t have these tools, don’t worry – the recipe provides alternative methods using your oven or a pellet smoker.
Donair Meat Instructions
The Donair meat for this recipe is made by combining ground beef with various spices and mixing them in an electric mixer with a dough hook. This ensures that the spices are mixed properly and the meat reaches the right consistency. Once mixed, the meat is formed into a log shape and refrigerated for at least one hour to set.
There are three options for cooking the Donair meat: using a rotisserie on a gas grill, using a pellet smoker, or using an oven. For the rotisserie method, the meat is placed on a rotisserie spit and cooked on a gas grill at 350F for about one hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F. For the oven method, the meat is kept in foil and pierced with skewers before being placed on top of a catch tray in the oven. It is cooked at 350F for about one hour, then removed from the foil and cooked for another 30 minutes to brown. The pellet smoker method follows a similar process as the oven method.
Once the Donair meat is cooked, it can be sliced thinly using a deli meat slicer if desired. The slices can then be fried in a frying pan to crisp them up before building the Donair sandwich.
Overall, making Donair meat requires some preparation and cooking time but can be easily done at home using an electric mixer with a dough hook and either a rotisserie attachment on a gas grill or an oven. The result is delicious and authentic Halifax-style Donair that can be enjoyed as comfort food.
Donair Pita Assembly
To assemble the Donair pita, start by lightly steaming the pita bread to prevent tearing. You can do this by boiling water in a small pot and placing a fine mesh strainer on top. Lay the pita on the strainer for about 20 seconds on each side.
Next, heat a frying pan to medium-high heat and fry thin slices of Donair meat for a couple of minutes on each side to crisp it up.
To build the Donair, add several pieces of the crispy Donair meat onto the pita bread. Then, add tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. Finally, generously drizzle the Donair Sweet Sauce that was prepared earlier over the toppings.
Wrap the assembled Donair in foil to keep everything secure and neat.
Enjoy your homemade Halifax Donair while it’s still hot!
East Coast Halifax Donair Recipe
The East Coast Halifax Donair is a beloved comfort food that originated in Nova Scotia, Canada. It consists of ground beef mixed with spices such as black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. The meat mixture is then formed into a log shape and cooked on a vertical spit or rotisserie. If you don’t have a rotisserie attachment, you can also cook it in the oven.
To complete the authentic Halifax Donair experience, a sweet sauce is added to the sandwich. This sauce is made from evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken it. The combination of the flavorful meat and the sweet garlic sauce creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
Whether you choose to cook the Donair meat on your gas grill rotisserie or in the oven, this recipe will guide you through the process step by step. Once the meat is cooked and cooled slightly, it can be sliced thinly and served in pita bread along with tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), cheese, and a generous amount of the sweet sauce. Wrap it all up in foil to keep everything together and enjoy your homemade East Coast Halifax Donair!
Equipment
To make an authentic Halifax Donair, you will need the following equipment:
- Electric Mixer with Dough Hook (Kitchenaid or Similar)
- Deli Meat Slicer (Optional but great for making thin slices of Donair meat)
To make the Donair meat and sweet sauce, you will need the following ingredients:
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- Ground beef
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Seasoning salt
- Bread crumbs
- Paprika
- Onion salt
- Garlic powder
- Basil
- Evaporated milk
- White sugar
- White vinegar
- Corn starch (for thickening the sauce)
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- In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the sweet sauce except for corn starch. Mix well.
Note: It is important to stir frequently while heating the sauce.
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- Place the saucepan on low to medium heat and continue stirring frequently until the sauce is warm and well-mixed.
- Add corn starch gradually to thicken the sauce. Aim for a consistency similar to ketchup.
- Cool the sweet sauce down and refrigerate it. You can transfer it to a squeeze bottle for easier application later.
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- In an electric mixer bowl, combine all the ingredients for the Donair meat.
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- Attach the bowl to the mixer and connect the dough hook. Turn on the mixer at a speed of 4-5.
Note: Use a spoon to help move the meat around if needed during mixing.
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- Let the mixer run for about 5 minutes until all ingredients are well mixed and ground beef becomes somewhat mashed.
Note: The meat should be packed tightly without any air pockets.
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- Remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to cool and set.
You have three options for cooking the Donair meat: using a gas grill with rotisserie attachment, using an oven, or using a pellet grill smoker. The following instructions cover all three methods:
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- Gas Grill with Rotisserie Attachment:
- Preheat your gas grill to 350F (175C).
- Gas Grill with Rotisserie Attachment:
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- If using foil, remove it from the meat. Pierce the rotisserie spit through the center of the log and attach rotisserie holders.
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- Place a catch tray or pan below the area where the meat will cook to collect drippings.
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- Start the rotisserie motor and cook the meat for about 1 hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F (71C).
- Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C).
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- If using foil, keep it on the meat. Pierce two long skewers through the foil and meat, ensuring they extend through both sides of the Donair meat.
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- Place a catch tray or pan below the area where the meat will cook to collect drippings.
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- Cook the meat for about 1 hour. Then remove the foil and cook for another 30 minutes to brown it. The meat is done when its internal temperature reaches 160F (71C).
- Pellet Grill Smoker Method:
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Note: This method requires a loaf pan and two skewers.
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- Preheat your pellet grill to 350F (175C).
- If using foil, keep it on the meat. Place the meat on top of a loaf pan and pierce two long skewers through the foil and meat, making sure they extend through both sides of the Donair meat.
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- Cook the meat for about 1.5 hours, flipping it after 45 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 160F (71C) for doneness.
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Note: After cooking, let the meat cool before slicing.
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- Steaming Pita Bread (Optional):
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Note: This step prevents tearing of pita bread when building the sandwich.
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- Boil water in a small pot and place a fine mesh strainer above it.
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- Lay the pita bread on the strainer for about 20 seconds on each side.
- Frying Donair Meat (Optional):
- Heat a frying pan to medium-high heat and fry thin cuts of Donair meat for a couple of minutes on each side to crisp it up.
- Building the Donair:
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Note: Feel free to customize your Donair toppings according to your preference.
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- Add several pieces of the cooked Donair meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese.
- Generously drizzle the Donair Sweet Sauce over the fillings.
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- Wrap the assembled Donair in foil to keep everything tight and neat.
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Congratulations! You have successfully made an authentic Halifax Donair. Enjoy it while it’s still hot!
Ingredients
To make the Donair sauce, you will need:
- Evaporated milk
- White sugar
- White vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Corn starch (for thickening)
To make the Donair meat, you will need:
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- Ground beef
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Oregano
- Seasoning salt
- Bread crumbs
- Paprika
- Onion salt
- Garlic powder
- Basil
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You will also need pita bread, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese to build the Donair sandwich.
Note: The recipe recommends using an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment for mixing the meat ingredients. A gas grill with a rotisserie attachment is also recommended for cooking the Donair meat. However, if you don’t have these tools, instructions for cooking in the oven are provided as well.
Donair Sweet Sauce Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients for the Donair sweet sauce include evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch. These ingredients are mixed together in a saucepan and heated over low/medium heat until well mixed. Corn starch is added to thicken the sauce to a similar consistency as ketchup. The sauce is then cooled and refrigerated before use.
The ingredients for the Donair meat include ground beef, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. These ingredients are mixed together in an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment to ensure proper mixing and consistency. The mixture is then formed into a log shape and refrigerated for at least 1 hour to set.
There are three options provided for cooking the Donair meat: on a gas grill with a rotisserie attachment, in an oven at 350F, or on a pellet grill smoker. The meat is cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F. If using the rotisserie method, the meat is pierced with a rotisserie spit and cooked for about 1 hour. If using the oven method, the meat is wrapped in foil and pierced with skewers before being placed on top of a catch tray and cooked for about 1 hour. If using the pellet grill smoker method, the meat is placed on top of a loaf pan with skewers holding it above the pan and cooked for about 1.5 hours.
Donair Meat Ingredients
The Donair meat is made using ground beef as the base and a variety of spices to enhance the flavor. The ingredients for the Donair meat include black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, seasoning salt, bread crumbs, paprika, onion salt, garlic powder, and basil. These spices are mixed with the ground beef using an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed and the meat reaches the right consistency.
There are three options provided in this recipe for cooking the Donair meat: on a rotisserie attachment on a gas grill, in the oven covered in tin foil, or on a pellet smoker. All three methods work well to cook the meat to perfection. If using a rotisserie attachment on a gas grill or an oven, it is important to have a catch tray or pan below the meat to collect any drippings. The meat should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F.
The traditional Halifax style Donair is served with a sweet sauce that complements the flavors of the Donair meat. The ingredients for the Donair sauce include evaporated milk, white sugar, white vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch. The corn starch is added to thicken the sauce to achieve a similar consistency as ketchup. The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
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Donair Sandwich Ingredients
– Ground beef
– Black pepper
– Cayenne pepper
– Oregano
– Seasoning salt
– Bread crumbs
– Paprika
– Onion salt
– Garlic powder
– Basil
– Evaporated milk
– White sugar
– White vinegar
– Garlic powder
– Corn starch
1. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the sweet sauce except for the corn starch. Mix well.
2. Place the saucepan on low/medium heat and stir frequently.
3. Once the sauce is warm and well mixed, gradually add corn starch to thicken it. Aim for a consistency similar to ketchup.
4. Cool the sauce down and refrigerate, or transfer it into a squeeze bottle for easy application.
5. In an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine all the ingredients for the donair meat.
6. Mix on medium speed for about 5 minutes until the ground beef is well mixed and mashed.
7. Remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Make sure it is packed tightly without any air pockets.
8. Refrigerate the meat log for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set in place.
9. Preheat your gas grill or oven to 350F (175C).
10. If using a rotisserie attachment on your gas grill, remove any foil wrapping from the meat log and pierce it through with the rotisserie spit.
11. If using an oven, keep the meat in foil and pierce two long skewers through both sides of the meat log to hang it above a catch tray or pan in the oven.
12. Cook the meat for about 1 hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F (71C). If using the oven, remove the foil after 1 hour and cook for an additional 30 minutes to brown.
13. Remove the cooked meat from the grill or oven and let it cool.
14. Optional: lightly steam the pita bread by placing it on a fine mesh strainer above a pot of boiling water for about 20 seconds on each side.
15. Heat a frying pan to medium-high heat and fry thin slices of donair meat for a few minutes on each side to crisp it up.
16. Assemble the donair sandwich by adding several pieces of the meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), cheese, and a generous amount of sweet sauce.
17. Wrap the assembled donair in foil to keep everything secure and neat.
18. Enjoy your homemade Halifax-style donair while it’s still hot!
Please note that this is just an overview of the recipe instructions. It is important to refer to the original source for detailed instructions and measurements.
Instructions
Instructions:
1. Start by making the sweet sauce. In a saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients except the corn starch. Mix well and place the saucepan on low/medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce is warm and well mixed.
2. Gradually add corn starch to thicken the sauce, aiming for a consistency similar to ketchup. Once thickened, cool the sauce down and refrigerate it. You can transfer it to a squeeze bottle for easier application.
3. Next, prepare the donair meat. Combine all the meat ingredients in an electric mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook attachment. Mix on medium speed (4-5 setting) for about 5 minutes until all the ingredients are well combined and the ground beef is somewhat mashed.
4. Remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation, making sure it is tightly packed with no air pockets. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set.
5a. If using a gas grill rotisserie, preheat your grill to 350F (175C). Remove any foil wrapping from the meat and pierce it through the center with a rotisserie spit, attaching rotisserie holders. Place a catch tray or pan below where the meat will cook to collect any drippings.
5b. If using an oven, keep the meat in its foil wrap and pierce two long skewers through both sides of the foil-wrapped meat to hang it above a catch tray or pan placed in the oven.
6a. For grilling on a rotisserie: Place the meat on the grill and start the rotisserie motor. Cook for approximately 1 hour or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160F (71C).
6b. For oven cooking: Place the foil-wrapped meat on top of a catch tray or pan and cook in a preheated 350F (175C) oven for about 1 hour. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 30 minutes to brown the meat.
7. Once cooked, let the meat cool before slicing it into thin cuts. For added crispiness, you can fry the thin cuts in a frying pan on medium-high heat for a couple of minutes on each side.
8. To assemble the donair, lightly steam the pita bread before laying it flat. Add several pieces of the cooked meat, along with tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. Generously drizzle the sweet sauce over the filling. Wrap the donair tightly in foil to keep everything secure.
9. Enjoy your homemade Halifax Donair while it is still hot!
Donair Sweet Sauce Recipe Instructions
To make the Donair sweet sauce, combine all the ingredients into a saucepan except the corn starch. Mix well and place the saucepan on low/medium heat. Stir frequently until the sauce is warm and well mixed.
Start adding corn starch to thicken the sauce, aiming for a similar consistency as ketchup. Cool the sauce down and refrigerate. You can transfer it into a squeeze bottle for easy application.
Now that you have made the sweet sauce, you can use it with various foods such as fries, burgers, chicken fingers, donair pizza, etc.
To make the Donair meat, combine all the ingredients into an electric mixer bowl with a dough hook attachment. Mix at a speed setting of 4-5 for about 5 minutes until all ingredients are well mixed and ground beef is somewhat mashed.
Remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Pack it tightly without any air gaps and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set in place.
If using a gas grill rotisserie, remove any foil wrapping from the meat and pierce the rotisserie spit through its center. Attach rotisserie holders. If using an oven, keep the meat wrapped in foil and pierce two long skewers through both sides of the meat to hang it above a catch tray placed in the oven.
Cooking methods:
- If using a gas grill rotisserie: Cook for about 1 hour or until internal temperature reaches 160F.
- If using an oven: Cook at 350F for about 1 hour, then remove foil and cook for another 30 minutes to brown.
- If using a pellet grill smoker: Cook for about 1.5 hours at 350F, flipping the meat after 45 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160F.
Once the meat is cooked, let it cool. You can lightly steam the pita bread before building the sandwich to prevent tearing. Heat a frying pan to medium-high heat and fry thin cuts of Donair meat for a couple of minutes on each side to crisp it.
Build your Donair by adding several pieces of the meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. Drizzle a liberal amount of the Donair sweet sauce over it. Wrap the Donair in foil to keep everything tight and neat.
Halifax Donair Meat Recipe Instructions
To make the authentic Halifax Donair meat, start by combining all the ingredients into an electric mixer bowl. Attach the dough hook and turn on the mixer to a medium speed setting. Let the mixer run for about 5 minutes, ensuring that the ground beef and spices are well mixed and mashed.
Next, remove the meat from the mixer and shape it into a log formation. Make sure it is tightly packed with no air pockets. Refrigerate the meat for at least 1 hour to allow it to cool and set.
If using a gas grill with a rotisserie attachment, remove any foil wrapping from the meat and pierce the rotisserie spit through the center of the log. Attach rotisserie holders. If using an oven, keep the meat in foil and pierce two long skewers through the foil and meat.
Place a catch tray or pan below the cooking area in your chosen method (grill or oven). Cook at 350F for approximately 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160F. If using an oven, remove the foil after 1 hour and cook for an additional 30 minutes to brown up.
Donair Pita Assembly Instructions
Donair Pita Assembly Instructions:
To assemble your delicious Halifax Donair, start by steaming the pita bread. Lightly boil water in a small pot and place a fine mesh strainer above the pot. Lay the pita on the strainer for about 20 seconds on each side.
(Optional but worth it) Heat a frying pan to medium-high heat. Fry thin cuts of Donair meat for a couple of minutes on each side to crisp up the meat.
Now it’s time to build your Donair! Add several pieces of the cooked Donair meat onto the pita bread. Top with tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), and cheese. Finally, generously drizzle the sweet Donair sauce that you made earlier over the ingredients.
To keep everything tight and neat, wrap the assembled Donair in foil.
Now you’re ready to enjoy your homemade Halifax-style Donair! Remember to eat it while it’s still hot for maximum satisfaction.
Video
In this video, Angry BBQ shares their recipe for an authentic Halifax Donair. They explain the history of the Donair, which originated in Berlin before being modified by Greek immigrants in Nova Scotia. The recipe includes ground beef mixed with various spices, formed into a log shape, and cooked on a rotisserie spit or in the oven. The sweet sauce is made with evaporated milk, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, and corn starch to thicken it. The video provides step-by-step instructions for making the sauce and cooking the Donair meat.
The video also includes alternative cooking methods using a gas grill with a rotisserie attachment or a pellet smoker. After cooking the meat to an internal temperature of 160F, they recommend steaming the pita bread before assembling the Donair sandwich. The final product is a delicious combination of thinly sliced Donair meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce (optional), cheese, and plenty of sweet sauce.
Nutrition
The nutrition information for this Halifax Donair recipe will vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. However, generally speaking, a typical serving of a Halifax Donair sandwich with pita bread, meat, vegetables, and sweet sauce can provide approximately:
– Calories: The calorie content can range from 500-800 calories per serving, depending on the size and ingredients used.
– Fat: The fat content can vary but is typically around 20-30 grams per serving.
– Carbohydrates: The carbohydrate content is mainly from the pita bread and can range from 40-60 grams per serving.
– Protein: The protein content primarily comes from the ground beef in the Donair meat and can provide around 20-30 grams per serving.
– Fiber: The fiber content is minimal in this recipe.
It’s important to note that these numbers are approximate and may vary based on individual variations in ingredient choices and portion sizes. It’s always a good idea to calculate the specific nutritional information based on your own ingredients and portion sizes if you have specific dietary needs or restrictions.
In conclusion, donair sauce is a delicious and versatile condiment that adds a unique flavor to a variety of dishes. Whether enjoyed with traditional donairs or used as a dipping sauce for fries and veggies, its creamy and tangy taste is sure to enhance any meal. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, donair sauce is a must-try for those seeking a flavorful twist to their culinary creations.
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