Foodie Friday: Zainab from the Spicy Fusion Kitchen’s Cheese Burger Crunch Wrap

Zainab Dokrat, the creative force behind Spicy Fusion Kitchen, invites us into her world of culinary delights, where passion, perseverance, and a touch of spice blend seamlessly. Born and raised in Botswana, she has embarked on a culinary journey that has taken her from family kitchens to radio shows and accolades.

Zainab’s love affair with cooking began in the heart of her family home, surrounded by the aromas of spices and the joy that food brought to her loved ones. While her mother’s culinary prowess served as an early inspiration, it was her aunty who ignited the flame by introducing her to the world of cooking with a simple pizza and pasta recipe. Little did she know that this initial spark would lead to the creation of Spicy Fusion Kitchen.

The journey in the food industry, as Zainab candidly shares, has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Undeterred by the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of hard work, consistency, and gratitude. Zainab reflects on the behind-the-scenes aspects of blogging, reminding us that the glossy images and mouthwatering recipes come with a price – planning, effort, time, and setbacks that often remain unseen.

Despite the hurdles, Zainab has seen numerous highlights in her career. From winning Muslimah Blogger Awards to gracing the airwaves and achieving over 2 million views on her blog, each positive interaction with her audience is a cherished accomplishment. For her, the true highlights lie in the messages from followers expressing gratitude for her step-by-step guides, affirming that her creations resonate with both beginners and seasoned cooks alike.

The path to success, however, hasn’t been without challenges. Zainab opens up about facing mental setbacks, lost opportunities, and the pressure she places on herself. Through it all, a strong support system and a mindset shift have been her allies. Her advice to aspiring content creators is simple yet profound – just start, embrace imperfections, and be persistent.

Spicy Fusion Kitchen, Zainab’s brainchild, was born out of a passion for food photography and a desire to share diverse, easy-to-make recipes that fuse different cultures and flavors. From spicy chicken meatballs to braai’d sweet and spicy homemade prawns, the blog showcases her love for vibrant, flavorful dishes.

Zainab’s favorite ingredients reveal her penchant for bold flavours – fresh garlic and homemade red chili paste are staples in her kitchen. Her commitment to authenticity and adding that extra kick of spice is evident, even in the smallest details.

As for the future, Zainab has exciting plans for Spicy Fusion Kitchen. With a focus on video content and a commitment to keeping her creative juices flowing, she looks forward to the journey ahead. The future may be uncertain, but one thing is clear – as long as her blog continues to grow, Zainab Dokrat is ready to savor every opportunity that comes her way.

Make Zainab’s Cheese Burger Crunch Wrap: 

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• Beef Patties
• Lettuce
• Cocktail Tomatoes
• Sliced Cheese
• Medium - Large Tortillas
• Jalapeños
• Burger Sauce
• 1 Large Sliced Onion (enough for 3 crunch wraps)
• 2 - 3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

1

Start by grilling the beef patties.

2

While they're grilling, you can also make your caramelised onions. On medium heat, add the oil to your pan and let it warm up for a minute, before adding the sliced onions. Let the onions cook, keep turning them around and watch that they do not burn. You want them to soften and turn golden, they should not become crispy. Once they're golden, remove them from the pan and onto a plate, and keep them aside for assembling.

3

You can also prep your other ingredients. So keep the lettuce and sliced cocktail tomatoes ready, slice some jalapeños, and make sure your tortillas are at room temperature (they shouldn't be hard or frozen).

4

When your beef patties are done (the ones I used took around 15 minutes), add your sliced cheese on top and leave it to melt.

5

To assemble your cheeseburger crunchwrap, place some sauce in the centre of your tortilla in a circle roughly the size of the beef patty. Place the cheesy beef patty on top of the sauce.

6

Next, add the caramelised onions and sliced jalapeños.

7

Top with your lettuce, sliced cherry tomatoes and more sauce. At this point, you can add a tostada (toasted mini tortilla) on top or a layer of tortilla chips, which may give it an extra crunch and may keep the lettuce from becoming soft.

8

Now it's time to close the crunch wrap. Fold the top part of the tortilla over the filling, and proceed to gently yet tightly fold the other sides, one on top of each other, going all the way around till it's closed.

9

Place the crunch wrap, the folded side first, to either a panini press or a frying pan (on medium/high heat). Gently press it down and leave it for 2 - 3 minutes before flipping it over. It should be firm and should not open up, keep it to toast longer if necessary. Once both sides are toasted, slice it in half, serve with some potato chips (fries) and enjoy!

ALSO SEE: Foodie Friday: Landi from The Tocka Blog’s Ricotta, Blueberry & Polenta Cake

Feature image: Supplied