Nova Scotia Donairs

You probably haven't heard of a donair. That's because it's a Nova Scotian food. In other words, it's an east Canadian version of a gyro--and it's amazing. Apparently it originates from some guy who visited a Mediteranean country and then came home to try and replicate the amazing food he ate while abroad in a Canadian way. 

The best part is the sauce. It's a thick, sweet, garlic sauce made with the most unusual ingredients. But don't question, don't judge--just try it. It's amazing.

Donair meat ingredients: 

-2 lb. ground beef

-1.5 tsp. cayenne pepper

-1 tsp. oregano

-2 tsp. paprika

-1 tsp. onion powder

-1/2 tsp. garlic powder

-1 tsp. salt

-1/2 tsp. pepper  

 Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor (you may need to do 2 batches). Process until combined into a ball, then a bit more. Form into a log shape, and wrap in plastic wrap. Let sit for a few hours in the fridge. Preheat oven to 300F. Place a sheet of tin foil over a baking sheet, and then lay a cooling rack on the foil--this will allow the drippings to fall away from the meat. Lay the meat on the rack and bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool. 

And now for the thing you've been waiting for: the recipe for donair sauce...It may look like a simple white sauce, but you are oh so wrong to think so!


Ingredients for Donair Sauce:

-1 can evaporated milk (the non-low-fat version)
-1 can condensed milk (the fully sweet version)
-1/4 cup white vinegar
-1 tsp. garlic powder

Combine first two ingredients with a whisk. Add in vinegar and garlic powder, stirring until combined. Set in fridge for about a half an hour. This should be a thick sauce. Don't over-stir!

You can make the sauce and cook the meat ahead of time. When you are ready to serve, it's really fast. This is how you put it together:

Putting it all together:

-1 donair meat log, cooked
-4 "naan" or pita breads (I use the so-called "naan" bread from Wal Mart. It's basically an authentic Israeli pita bread anyway...Very soft and delicious)
-mozzarella cheese
-onion, chopped
-tomato, chopped
-lettuce
-donair sauce

Preheat the oven to 450F. Thinly slice the cooled meat and lay along the center of the breads. Be liberal!! Sprinkly mozzarella over the top. Bake in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are crisp.

Drizzle the donair sauce over the meat. Sprinkle over the lettuce, tomato, and onion--and more cheese! wrap halfway in tin foil, and serve (with more sauce. It's addictive).