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Yarma
Ýarma: Turkmen cracked wheat porridge cooked with lamb
TurkmenYarma is a filling porridge of cracked wheat cooked slowly with lamb until the grains break down and the dish turns thick and creamy, a dish of Turkmen homes and of religious gatherings, when it is cooked in huge pots and shared out. It is seasoned simply with salt, pepper and onion fried in butter or fat poured over the top. A common mistake is not stirring enough, which lets the wheat catch on the bottom. Chef's tip: beat the yarma hard with a wooden spoon in the last 15 minutes, so the lamb shreds into the grain and it turns smooth and creamy.
- Total time
- 120 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the yarma
- 8 ¼ cups water
- 10 ½ oz coarse cracked wheat (yarma)rinsed
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Simmer 1 ¾ lb lamb shoulder or neck on the bone in 8 ¼ cups water for 1 hour, skimming, until tender. Lift out, remove bones and shred the meat.
60 minStep 2: Add 10 ½ oz coarse cracked wheat (yarma) to the broth and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.
30 minStep 3: Return the meat with 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper and cook 15 minutes more, beating hard with a wooden spoon, until thick and creamy. Common mistake: not stirring; it sticks.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 450 kcal
- Protein
- 26 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 8 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does yarma take?
- About 120 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 105 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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