A BLACKBURN takeaway famous for cooking authentic ‘chapli kebabs’ has unveiled a giant new frying pan.

The new ‘chapli kebab fryer’, also known as a karahi, has been delivered to the Kebab Express on Johnson Street.

The chapli (pronounced chaplee) kebab is popular in Pakistan and is a mix of South Asian spices and meat which is flattened into the shape of a large patty.

The recipe to each kebab is a closely guarded secret with chefs keen to give it their own individual twist for discerning customers.

The Kebab Express is renowned for producing distinctive chapli kebabs and naans. They are best served piping hot with naans, chutney and a smattering of salad.

Owner Mohammed Ishfaq said he had been making the kebabs in a normal frying pan but has now invested in a custom-made utensil on its own heating frame.

He said: “It is something quite unique. It was produced in Bradford, a city famous for Punjabi cuisine. We are lucky to have got hold of it and bring it to Blackburn.

“We get people from across the town visiting us just for our chapli kebabs and now we can make them  in this new frying pan.

“So far the response from people has been really good. They just marvel at the whole process and how the chef cooks the kebabs.”

The name chapli is said to be derived from a Pashto word meaning ‘flat’. The street food is particularly popular in  Northern Pakistan and can be found in parts of Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh.

The Kebab Express chapli kebab will set you back £2.50 for one portion and for most people that may well be enough.

Mr Ishfaq said he was also delighted to have given the takeaway a new look.
“It needed a little bit of a makeover. A lot of people are really impressed with it."