Kazakh Sorpa with Dumplings
A hearty and comforting soup made with lamb or beef broth, tender meat, vegetables, and small, flavorful dumplings (kespe).
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb or Beef(bone-in, for broth)
- 3 liters Water
- 2 medium Onion(quartered)
- 2 medium Carrots(cut into large pieces)
- 3 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 Bay leaf
- 0.5 cup Fresh dill(chopped, for garnish)
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
- For the Dumplings (Kespe):
- 1.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 large Egg
- 3-4 tbsp Water
- 0.5 tsp Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the meat in a large pot with water. Bring to a boil, then skim off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1.5 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
- 2
Add the quartered onions, large carrot pieces, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.
- 3
While the broth simmers, prepare the dumpling dough. In a bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg and 3 tablespoons of water. Mix until a stiff dough forms, adding more water if needed. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- 4
Roll out the dough thinly on a floured surface. Cut into small, bite-sized pieces or thin strips.
- 5
Remove the large pieces of meat, onion, and carrots from the broth. Strain the broth if desired for a clearer soup. Shred or dice the cooked meat and return it to the pot.
- 6
Add the cubed potatoes to the broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.
- 7
Add the prepared dumplings (kespe) to the simmering soup. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface and are cooked through.
- 8
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle the sorpa into bowls, ensuring each serving has meat, vegetables, and dumplings. Garnish generously with fresh dill and parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer broth, use a combination of lamb and beef bones.
- ✓You can make the dumplings ahead of time and freeze them.
- ✓Serve with a dollop of sour cream or ayran.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the broth.