Kawareh
Egyptian Cow Feet Soup
A deeply flavorful and comforting Egyptian soup made from slow-cooked cow feet, infused with aromatic spices. This traditional dish is known for its rich, gelatinous broth and tender meat, often served with crusty bread and a tangy vinegar dressing.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 Cow feet(Ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Ask your butcher to split them lengthwise for easier cooking and meat removal.)
- 3 liters Water(Or enough to generously cover the cow feet.)
- 8-10 cloves Garlic
- 2 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Ground Coriander(Optional, but adds depth.)
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 tsp Black Peppercorns
- to taste Salt(Add towards the end of cooking.)
- 4 tbsp White Vinegar(For serving. Can adjust to taste.)
- for serving Egyptian flatbread (Aish Baladi)
- for garnish Fresh Parsley or Cilantro(Optional, for freshness.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cow feet: Rinse the cow feet thoroughly under cold running water. If not already done by your butcher, use a cleaver or saw to split them lengthwise. Scrub them well to remove any impurities. Place the split feet in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and let them soak for at least 30 minutes to help tenderize and clean them further. Drain and rinse again.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Initial Boil and Skim: Place the cleaned cow feet in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Cover generously with about 3 liters of fresh cold water. Add the bay leaves and black peppercorns. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, you will see foam and impurities rise to the surface. Carefully skim off this foam with a fine-mesh sieve or a large spoon for about 5-10 minutes until the broth becomes clearer.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Simmer until tender: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the cow feet simmer gently. The goal is a very slow, gentle bubble, not a vigorous boil. Cook for 4 to 5 hours, or until the meat is extremely tender, falling off the bone, and the broth has become rich and gelatinous. Check the water level periodically and add more hot water if necessary to keep the feet submerged.
⏱️ 4-5 hours - 4
Add aromatics: About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, and ground coriander (if using). Continue to simmer, covered, allowing the flavors to meld into the broth.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 5
Season and Finish: Once the meat is tender and the flavors have developed, taste the broth. Add salt gradually until the desired flavor is reached. Remove the bay leaves and peppercorns if desired. The broth should be thick and gelatinous.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Serve: Ladle the hot Kawareh soup into deep bowls, ensuring each serving gets pieces of tender meat and plenty of the rich broth. Drizzle each bowl with 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar (or to taste). Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately with warm or toasted Egyptian flatbread on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Thorough cleaning of the cow feet is crucial for a clean-tasting broth. Don't skip the soaking and skimming steps.
- ✓The long, slow simmer is key to achieving the signature tender texture of the meat and the rich, gelatinous quality of the broth.
- ✓The broth will thicken considerably as it cools due to the natural collagen from the trotters. Reheat gently with a little water if it becomes too thick.
- ✓Adjust the amount of vinegar served with the soup to your preference; it adds a welcome tanginess that cuts through the richness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper during the last 30 minutes of simmering.
- Some variations include adding a small amount of rice (about 1/4 cup) during the last hour of cooking to thicken the broth further.
- Experiment with other spices like a pinch of cardamom or a small piece of cinnamon stick added during the initial boil for a different aromatic profile.