Uzbek Lamb and Apricot Stew
A rich and aromatic stew that beautifully balances the savory depth of lamb with the sweet-tartness of apricots. This dish, often found in Central Asian and Caucasian cuisines, features tender chunks of lamb slow-cooked with a medley of warming spices, dried apricots, and sometimes nuts, creating a complex and comforting flavor profile. It's a perfect example of how fruit is incorporated into savory Uzbek dishes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 750 g Stewing lamb, cut into 2cm chunks
- 100 g Dried apricots
- 2 Fresh apricots, stoned and quartered (optional)
- 25 g Raisins
- 0.25 tsp Ground cloves
- 0.25 tsp Ground coriander
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 0.25 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 4 Whole green cardamom pods, crushed
- 20 g Butter
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 300 ml Chicken stock
- 50 g Whole almonds
- 10 ml Honey
- 2 Beef tomatoes, quartered
- 2 Carrots, cut into batons
- 1 sprig Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Freshly ground pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the spice paste: In a bowl, blend together the ground cloves, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon, crushed cardamom pods, and black pepper with a little water to form a paste.
💡 Tip: Making a paste helps the spices adhere better to the lamb. - 2
Marinate the lamb: Add the lamb chunks to the spice paste, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least a few hours, or preferably overnight.
💡 Tip: Marinating allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful stew. - 3
Sauté aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the finely chopped garlic and cinnamon stick and cook for another minute until fragrant.
💡 Tip: Avoid browning the onions too much at this stage. - 4
Sear the lamb: Add the marinated lamb to the pot. Increase the heat slightly and sear the lamb on all sides until lightly browned. This step is crucial for developing flavor.
💡 Tip: Don't overcrowd the pot; sear the lamb in batches if necessary. - 5
Simmer the stew: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and let it stew for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the lamb is tender.
💡 Tip: Low and slow cooking is key to tender lamb. - 6
Add fruits and vegetables: Stir in the dried apricots, raisins, honey, quartered tomatoes, and carrot batons. If using fresh apricots, add them now as well. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 20 minutes, or until the lamb is very tender and the carrots are cooked through.
💡 Tip: The apricots and raisins will soften and release their sweetness, creating a lovely contrast with the savory lamb. - 7
Finish and serve: Stir in the whole almonds. Check the seasoning and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with fluffy couscous, basmati rice, or traditional Uzbek bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of chili flakes.
- ✓If you don't have chicken stock, vegetable stock or even water can be used, though the flavor might be less rich.
- ✓This stew tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some recipes include a tablespoon of tomato paste for added depth of flavor.
- A squeeze of lemon juice just before serving can add a touch of brightness.