Shorba Libyan Style Lamb Stew Recipes

SHORBA LIBYA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onions for a few minutes until tender. Add the lamb, chickpeas, tomato puree, spices and salt, and cook for a few minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• Cover the mixture with water, stir, then simmer with the lid on for 30-45 minutes or until the lamb is cooked. Add extra water if required and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Stir in the crushed mint about 10 minutes before the end, then squeeze in the lemon-juice just before serving. Serves 4-6.

SHORBA LIBIYA - LIBYAN LAMB & CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large casserole or stock pot. Gently fry the onion for a few minutes, until pale golden & soft.
• Add the lamb, chickpeas, tomato puree, spices & salt, cooking for a few more minutes & stirring well.
• Add the water to the pot, this should cover the mixture - add 1/4 litre more if required. (If adding extra water, remember that you'll need to add a little extra spice & salt to compensate).
• Cover & simmer over a medium heat for approx 45-50 minutes or until the lamb is tender & the soup flavourful. You may add a little extra water again at this point but remember to adjust the seasoning if you do.
• Add the dried mint & the lemon, return to the heat for a further 3-4 minutes then serve.
• Serve each bowl of shorba with a sprig of fresh mint & a lemon wedge on the side.

CUBAN-STYLE LAMB STEW

Steps:

• Place the flour, seasoning salt and black pepper in a medium bowl; toss slightly to combine.
• Prepare a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot.
• Add in oil to cover bottom of the pot over medium-high heat.
• Coat the lamb cubes with flour (shake off any excess flour) then brown in hot oil in two batches; transfer the browned lamb to a plate.
• Add in the onion and cook for about 4-5 minutes, then add in garlic, cook for 1 minute.
• Add in carrots, celery, mushrooms (if using) brown sugar, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes and spices; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in wine, broth and browned lamb; mix to combine.
• Simmer, covered for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally until thickened and the lamb is very tender.
• Season with salt to taste and more black pepper if desired.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE LAMB STEW

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender process the tomatoes with juice until smooth; set aside.
• Place the currants in a heat-proof bowl; cover with very hot water and set aside while browning the lamb.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven.
• Season the lamb with salt and ground black pepper; add to the oil and brown on both sides; remove the lamb to a plate or bowl.
• Add in onions and cook stirring for about 5 minutes adding in the garlic and red chili flakes the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Add in tomato paste and bay leaf; cook stirring for 1 minute.
• Return the lamb with all the juices that have accumulated in the bowl back to the pot.
• Drain the water from the currants.
• Add in the pureed tomatoes, currants and all remaining ingredients except the salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil stirring over medium heat.
• Reduce heat to very low and simmer uncovered for about 1-1/2 hours or until the lamb is tender.
• About halfway through cooking season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
• Just before serving remove and discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaf (if you are making this a day in advance refrigerate with the cinnamon stick and bay leaf left in).

TABAKH ROHO (SYRIAN LAMB AND VEGETABLE STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the ghee in a large pot over medium-high heat and stir in the lamb meat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Season with allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom and mix well.
• Place a layer of onion on top of the lamb in the pot, but do not stir. Top with layers of potato, eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes.
• Repeat the layers of vegetables until you have used them up, ending with tomatoes on top. Place the chile pepper in the center of the tomatoes. Season with salt. Dilute the tomato paste in the water, and pour it over the vegetables. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour, until vegetables are tender.
• With a mortar and pestle, crush together the garlic, a pinch of salt, and the dried mint. Mix with 2 tablespoons of liquid from the pot, and drop by spoonfuls over the vegetables in the pot, but do not stir. Simmer for 5 minutes more.
• Transfer the stew to a wide bowl or serving dish by gently tipping the pot and letting it slide out into the serving dish, while maintaining its layers. Sprinkle with ghee, if desired.