Lamb Stew Turkish Style Recipes

LAMB STEW WITH TURKISH FLAVORS

Steps:

• Pat lamb dry and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a wide 5-to 6-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown lamb on all sides in 3 batches until golden-brown, 4 to 5 minutes per batch, transferring to a plate with a slotted spoon.
• Add onions to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in vinegar and cook, scraping up brown bits, until vinegar has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Return lamb with meat juices to pot. Stir in stock, chickpeas, preserves, and spices (including Maras and Urfa pepper) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
• Peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to stew (after 1 hour) and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes and lamb are tender, about 30 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in currants, oregano, and lemon juice. Season with salt.
• Serve sprinkled with additional Maras and Urfa pepper.

TUNISIAN LAMB STEW

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine lamb, egg white and spice mixture and mix well. When all the ingredients are combined, stuff olives with meat mixture. In a large saucepan, heat oil. Sear olives, meat side down, in the hot oil. Remove from pan and set aside. Add onions to the pan, and sweat until translucent. Add tomato paste, harissa, tomato puree, water and white beans, and bring it to a boil. When it reaches a boil, turn down the heat and simmer slowly until beans are tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Add additional water if needed. Add seared stuffed olives and cook for 15 minutes more. Add pickled vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve in a bowl, accompanied by a pita or baguette.

TURKISH LAMB AND QUINCE STEW (AVYA YAHNISI)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoon oil over high heat in a deep frying pan or stew pot. Add lamb and brown it in several portions removing it to a plate when browned.
• Heat the other 2 tablespoon oil over high heat and add the onion and cook gently for about 5 minutes, until translucent and light golden.
• Add the pomegranate molasses and the water. Stir well, to mix in the browned juices.
• Return lamb to the pan and add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and simmer for one hour. Adjust salt if necessary and check liquid form time to time.
• Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add the quinces and cook over high heat for several minutes until caramelized.Turn the pieces from time to time.
• Add sugar, cloves, and 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon, stir once, and place on top of the lamb in the pan.
• Cover, and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, until the lamb is tender, shaking the pan occasionally. Don't stir, this would damage the quinces!
• Serve hot with fresh bread, bulgur, rice or what you like!
• Note: I prepare at least the double amount of quince increasing spices and sugar. We all love quince very much!

SLOW-ROASTED TURKISH LAMB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut lamb shoulder into 2 or 3 pieces, and place in a shallow 12-by-14-inch roasting pan or similar. Season generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with red pepper, if desired.
• Rub meat with olive oil, lemon juice and pomegranate molasses. Tuck thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, garlic cloves and onion halves here and there. Place in oven, uncovered, and roast for 30 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned.
• Turn meat browned-side down and add 2 cups of water to the pan. Cover tightly with foil or lid. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Cook, covered, until meat is absolutely fork tender and beginning to fall apart, about 3 1/2 hours total. Uncover during last 30 minutes of cooking if you want to brown the meat a bit more.
• Remove meat to a cutting board. Pour pan juices into a skillet (discard herbs and garlic). Skim and discard excess fat from surface. Bring to a boil and simmer until about a cup remains.
• Chop or shred meat into 1-inch chunks or rough slices. Transfer to a warm platter and pour juices over. (Alternatively, leave meat in pan with reduced juices until ready to serve.) Garnish with persimmon and pomegranate (if using), parsley, mint and lemon wedges. Serve yogurt on the side.