Kuwaiti Marag Botat (Lamb and Potato Stew)
A comforting and hearty Kuwaiti stew featuring tender lamb and potatoes simmered in a tangy tomato-based broth. This dish, known as Marag Botat, is a staple in Kuwaiti homes, often served with rice or bread.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 kg Lamb(bone-in or boneless, cut into pieces)
- 1.5 kg Potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 1 large Onions(sliced into small cubes)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(cut into quarters)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(sliced or crushed)
- 1 small tin Tomato puree(diluted with warm water)
- 3 tablespoons Cooking oil (olive oil or vegetable oil)
- 4 liters Water(or more)
- 1 teaspoon Baharat (Kuwaiti spice mix)
- 1 tablespoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash the lamb pieces and pat them dry. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and garlic and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the lamb pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides. Stir in the baharat, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- 3
Add the quartered tomatoes and the diluted tomato puree to the pot. Stir well to combine. Pour in enough water to cover the lamb and vegetables. Bring the stew to a boil.
- 4
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1 hour, or until the lamb is partially tender. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
- 5
Add the potato chunks to the pot. Stir gently, ensuring the potatoes are submerged in the liquid. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 1 to 1.5 hours, or until both the lamb and potatoes are very tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if the stew becomes too thick.
- 6
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The stew should have a rich, tangy flavor from the tomatoes and a depth from the lamb and spices.
- 7
Serve the Marag Botat hot, traditionally accompanied by white rice or warm flatbread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the lamb with the spices for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
- ✓The stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
- ✓If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash a few potato pieces against the side of the pot towards the end of cooking.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes.
- For a spicier stew, add a chopped green chili pepper along with the onions.