Turkmen Yakshi Shorpa
A hearty and flavorful Turkmen soup, 'Yakshi Shorpa' translates to 'good soup' and is a comforting dish often made with lamb or beef, vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder or beef chuck(cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Carrots(peeled and roughly chopped)
- 4 medium Potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced, or 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 liters Water or broth
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil or lamb fat
- 2 Bay leaves
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Fresh dill or cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat oil or fat in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides in batches, then set aside.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pot to ensure proper browning. - 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes) and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to break down.
- 5
Return the browned meat to the pot. Add water or broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
- 6
Add the chopped carrots and potatoes to the pot. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
💡 Tip: The soup should be rich and deeply flavored. - 8
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish generously with fresh chopped dill or cilantro.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with fresh Turkmen bread (Chorek) if available.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use lamb fat for sautéing.
- ✓You can add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips.
- ✓If you prefer a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of tomato paste with the diced tomatoes for a deeper tomato flavor.
- Include a handful of dried apricots for a touch of sweetness.