central asian Recipes
11 delicious central asian recipes from around the world
Afghan Laghman
A hearty and flavorful Central Asian noodle dish, popular in Afghanistan, featuring hand-pulled noodles served in a rich, savory stew of lamb or beef with vegetables and a tomato-based sauce.
Kazakh Fried Laghman
A hearty and flavorful dish of hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with tender strips of beef, fresh vegetables, and a savory sauce. This fried version offers a delightful texture contrast to the more common soup-based laghman.
Kazakh Laghman
A hearty and flavorful noodle soup with tender meat, vegetables, and hand-pulled noodles, often seasoned with a rich broth and spices. This version emphasizes the Kazakh adaptation of the dish, known for its robust flavors and generous portions.
Kyrgyz Beshbarmak
A traditional Kyrgyz celebratory dish, 'beshbarmak' translates to 'five fingers' as it's traditionally eaten by hand. It features tender boiled meat (often lamb or beef) served over thin, hand-cut noodles and a rich broth, garnished with onions.
Laghman (Fried)
A popular Central Asian noodle dish, this version features hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with meat and vegetables, offering a savory and satisfying meal.
Mantu with Yogurt Sauce
Steamed dumplings filled with seasoned ground meat (often lamb or beef) and onions, traditionally served with a cooling garlic-yogurt sauce.
Osh Salata
A refreshing and hearty Tajik salad, often served as a side dish or a light meal. It typically features a base of rice, mixed with vegetables, herbs, and sometimes meat or eggs, all dressed in a simple vinaigrette.
Turkmen Dough Dumplings (Ichlekli)
Ichlekli are savory baked dumplings, often filled with finely chopped meat (lamb or beef) and onions, seasoned with traditional spices. They are characterized by their crescent shape and golden-brown crust, typically cooked in a tandoor or oven.
Turkmen Fish Plov
A flavorful and aromatic rice dish featuring tender pieces of fish, often carp or zander, cooked with carrots, onions, and a blend of traditional spices. This variation of plov highlights the country's access to rivers and the Caspian Sea.
Fergana Plov
A celebratory and iconic Uzbek rice dish, Fergana Plov is known for its rich flavors and aromatic spices, typically made with lamb or beef, carrots, onions, and rice, slow-cooked to perfection.
Uzbek Fried Lagman
A hearty and flavorful dish of hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with tender beef, vegetables, and a savory sauce. This fried version offers a delightful chewy texture and intense flavors, distinct from its soup-based counterpart.