Kazan Kabab (Turkmen Meat and Potato Stew)
Kazan Kabab is a flavorful and rustic dish where tender pieces of meat, typically lamb, are slow-cooked with potatoes and aromatic spices in a heavy pot (kazan). This method results in incredibly tender meat and perfectly cooked potatoes, absorbing all the rich flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder or leg(cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 1 kg Potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 100 g Lamb fat or vegetable oil(for frying)
- 2 medium Onions(sliced)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds(lightly crushed)
- 1 tsp Coriander seeds(lightly crushed)
- 200 ml Water
- for garnish Fresh cilantro
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the lamb fat or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot (kazan or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown and caramelized.
- 2
Add the lamb cubes to the pot and sear them on all sides until nicely browned. Season with salt and pepper.
- 3
Add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Stir to combine with the meat and onions. Add the crushed cumin and coriander seeds.
- 4
Pour in the water, stir everything together, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer.
💡 Tip: The cooking time will depend on the cut of lamb used; ensure the meat is fork-tender. - 5
Check for tenderness. If the meat and potatoes are tender, stir everything together gently. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- 6
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. This dish is traditionally served with Turkmen bread (çörek).
💡 Tip: Allowing the dish to rest for a few minutes after cooking can help the flavors meld.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using a traditional kazan (cast-iron pot with a rounded bottom) is ideal for even heat distribution.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the pot when searing the meat and frying the potatoes, as this can lead to steaming rather than browning.
- ✓If lamb fat is not available, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like sunflower or grapeseed oil.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include finely chopped tomatoes or bell peppers added with the onions.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.