Once upon a time, long ago somewhere in the B. C., the medieval kitchens of Persia and Turkey witnessed the birth of the humble Kebabs. These Kebabs grew in fame and culinary stature in the heart of the Middle East. Of all its variations, it was the Kebabs on Skewers that gained immense popularity and formed an inseparable bond; especially, with the Turks. So much so, that wherever they traveled, the Kebabs traveled with them. The Kebabs traveled East and soon enough, found themselves getting skewered in the mystical lands of India.
These skewered Kebabs were very social by nature and truly embodied the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Our humble Middle Eastern friends gladly mingled with the local Indian spices, bringing forth new and exciting flavors to the maestro palettes of its inhabitants. Soon, the Kebabs found themselves being paired with the famous Spicy Green Corriander Chutney. Thus, the Kebabs started exploring friendships and intercontinental relationships with the local condiments of the region. Their relationship was renowned for having the right chemistry of spice in it. Even to this day, someone somewhere in India celebrates their chemistry and friendship daily.
However, the Kebabs couldn’t stay put in one place – not even on skewers. With the dawn of A. D., Kebab’s hunger for travels and adventures skewered them away on yet another journey. This time they traveled to the enchanting far east.
Upon reaching the pristine shores of Indonesia, the Kebabs found a new friend in the most unlikely condiments from all the cultural cuisine of its locals – the Peanut Sauce. It was love at first bite. They say One is often known by the friends they keep, and in this scenario, it couldn’t have been further away from that saying. As these culinary crossed lovers came together, the Kebabs of the Middle East were now called Satays of the Far East. This divine union of the Indonesian Satay and Peanut Sauce was undoubtedly a match made in the kitchens of heaven.
Well, if you are Dutch and this story of Kebabs to Satay has intrigued your attention; then, I must say that your curiosity is justified. Just like you, I have often wondered, what is a Middle Eastern Kebab and an Indonesian Peanut Sauce, doing on a plate in the Netherlands – a land of tulips? As you ponder over such profound mysteries over a pint of chilled Dutch Beer. While enjoying a plate of smoky hot Satay, and buttery Peanut Sauce; you must burp a big thank you in tribute to your great ancestors. Regrettably, the tulips had nothing to do in this story, though I wish they did.
Coming down to a few decades ago, our Kebabs, or rather our Satays were skewering ready, for yet another adventurous but long journey. However, the Satays won’t be alone this time, for they were to be accompanied by the Indonesian Peanut Sauce; after all, they were nuts about each other – like literally. So, at the end of the colonizing era in South East Asia, the Indo Dutch returned home, carrying with them our Satay and Peanut Sauce. Ah! Thank Heaven’s for the truly insightful wisdom of the Dutch; for today, Satays are an integral part of the Dutch Cuisine. This unexpected but historical journey of our culinary crossed lovers is now celebrated around the world.
So, the next time you bite into a Kebab or a Satay whether in Iran, Turkey, India, Indonesia, or the Netherlands, remember, you are gnawing your way into this historical and transformational story. A story of journeys undertaken for friendship and love. To summarize, one can say it is a spicy and nutty affair of gastronomical proportions.