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Sirne
Steamed lamb and potatoes
Sirne: Kazakh lamb and potatoes steamed in their own juices in a sealed kazan
Sirne is a shepherds' dish from western and southern Kazakhstan: young lamb on the bone, onions and potatoes layered in a heavy kazan with almost no water, sealed tightly and cooked slowly so the meat steams and stews in its own juices and fat. It is lifted out onto a big platter for family gatherings. A common mistake is opening the pot during cooking, which lets the steam escape and dries the meat. Chef's tip: Kazakh cooks seal the lid with a rope of flour-and-water dough; at home a double layer of foil under the lid keeps every bit of steam in for the whole two hours.
- Total time
- 140 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the sirne
- 3 ⅓ lb lamb shoulder or neck on the bonecut into large pieces
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 onionsthickly sliced
- 1 ¾ lb potatoespeeled and halved
- ½ cup water
To serve
- ⅔ oz fresh dill and parsleychopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Season 3 ⅓ lb lamb shoulder or neck on the bone with 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Lay in a heavy casserole and cover with 3 onions, then 1 ¾ lb potatoes. Add ½ cup water.
Step 2: Cover the pot with a double layer of foil, pressing it tightly around the rim, then press on the lid.
Step 3: Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes, then the lowest heat for 2 hours, without opening. Common mistake: lifting the lid; the steam escapes.
130 minStep 4: Remove the foil, check the lamb pulls from the bone and the potatoes are soft, and serve on a platter with ⅔ oz fresh dill and parsley.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 560 kcal
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbs
- 28 g
- Fat
- 32 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sirne take?
- About 140 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 120 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onions?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
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