Shurpa – Central Asian Lamb Soup Cooked over a Fire

⏱️ Prep time: 2.5 hours | 👥 Servings: 6 | 🔥 Difficulty: Easy

🥘 INGREDIENTS:

• 1 kg lamb with bone (shoulder or ribs)
• 3 potatoes, peeled, roughly diced
• 3 carrots, thickly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 2 onions, roughly chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 head of garlic (halved)
• 2–3 l cold water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cumin (whole), 1 tsp coriander seeds, 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh parsley and coriander for garnish
• Optional: 3–4 dried apricots for a hint of sweetness

🔥 PREPARATION:

Step 1: SEAR THE MEAT (15 minutes)

• Heat oil in a hot Kazan over high heat
• Sear lamb pieces on all sides until a brown crust forms
• Add onions and roast for 3–4 minutes
• Briefly roast cumin and coriander with the mixture

Step 2: ADD WATER & SKIM (5 minutes)

• Pour in cold water until the meat is well covered (approx. 2–2.5 l)
• Add bay leaf and garlic
• Bring to a boil and carefully skim off any rising foam

Step 3: SIMMER SLOWLY (90 minutes)

• Reduce heat to medium
• Simmer the soup for 80–90 minutes
• The meat should become very tender and fall off the bone
• Skim off foam and fat periodically

Step 4: COOK VEGETABLES (30 minutes)

• Add carrots – simmer for 10 minutes
• Add potatoes, tomatoes, and bell pepper
• Simmer for another 20 minutes until potatoes are cooked through
• Add dried apricots during the last 10 minutes (optional)

Step 5: SEASON & SERVE

• Season generously with salt and pepper
• Pour into deep bowls
• Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately

✅ TIPS FOR PERFECT RESULTS:

• The soup thrives on time – patience during simmering is key
• Regularly skim foam for a clear, clean broth
• Add vegetables only towards the end – otherwise, they will disintegrate
• The BIOL Kazan over fire imparts an incomparable smoky flavor to the meat
• Use lamb with bones – the bones give the broth its special aroma

🍷 SERVING SUGGESTION:

Serve in deep bowls – leave the meat directly in the soup. With fresh bread for dipping. A bowl of Shurpa also warms you up on cool summer evenings by the lake. Serve with a fresh onion and herb salad and flatbread.

📊 NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (per serving):