Georgian Lamb with Quince and Apricot Stew
A fragrant and deeply flavorful stew featuring tender lamb slow-cooked with the unique sweetness of quince and the tartness of dried apricots. This dish is a celebration of Georgian culinary traditions, balancing savory meat with the subtle fruitiness of native produce and aromatic spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder or leg, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil or ghee
- 2 Large onions, chopped
- 4 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp Ground coriander
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 750 ml Lamb or beef stock
- 150 g Dried apricots, halved
- 2 medium Quince, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Drying the lamb ensures better browning. - 2
Heat the oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches until golden brown on all sides. Remove the lamb and set aside.
💡 Tip: Browning in batches is crucial for developing flavor and texture. - 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
💡 Tip: Sautéing the onions and garlic builds a flavorful base. - 4
Stir in the ground coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.
💡 Tip: Toasting the spices briefly awakens their aromas. - 5
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Pour in the lamb or beef stock and add the cinnamon stick. Bring the stew to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid covers most of the lamb; add more stock or water if necessary. - 6
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the lamb is becoming tender.
💡 Tip: Slow cooking is key to tender lamb. - 7
Add the dried apricots and quince chunks to the stew. Stir to combine, cover, and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the lamb is very tender and the quince is soft.
💡 Tip: Quince takes time to soften; adjust cooking time as needed. - 8
Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the chopped cilantro and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
💡 Tip: Fresh herbs added at the end brighten the flavors. - 9
Serve hot, perhaps with Georgian bread (shotis puri) or rice.
💡 Tip: This stew's rich flavors pair well with a simple starch.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If quince is unavailable, you can substitute with firm apples or pears, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓For a thicker sauce, you can mash some of the quince against the side of the pot.
- ✓This stew can be made a day in advance; the flavors will deepen overnight.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of toasted walnuts for added texture and richness.
- A splash of red wine added with the stock can deepen the flavor profile.
- Include other root vegetables like carrots or parsnips for extra heartiness.