Afghani Spiced Lamb and Greens Stew
This rich and flavorful Afghani Spiced Lamb and Greens Stew is a delightful dish that combines tender lamb shoulder with a medley of spices and vibrant greens. Perfect for family gatherings or serving guests, this recipe showcases the aromatic spices typical of Afghan cuisine. The Thermomix makes preparation a breeze, allowing you to focus on the succulent flavors while simmering to perfection. Serve it over fluffy rice with a side of cooling plain yogurt to balance the spices. This dish is adaptable, so feel free to substitute spinach, kale, or leafy greens as available for a nutritious twist. Enjoy the heartwarming essence of Afghan cooking right at home!
6
Servings
350
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lemon Zest
Zest of one lemon (Zest the lemon and set aside.)
Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (Measure out the vegetable oil.)
Lamb Shoulder
1 kg (Diced into 3 cm pieces.)
Garlic Cloves
4 (Peeled.)
Onion
1 large (Peeled and quartered.)
Turmeric
2 teaspoons (Measure out the turmeric.)
Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (Measure out the nutmeg.)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (Measure out the cinnamon.)
Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Measure out the cayenne pepper (adjust to taste).)
Canned Tomatoes
400 g (Undrained.)
Vegetable Stock
500 g (Measure out the vegetable stock.)
Greens (Spinach, Kale, or Lettuce)
350 g (Roughly chopped.)
Slivered Almonds
45 g (Toasted.)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the lemon zest in the Thermomix bowl and grate for 20 seconds at speed 9. Set the zest aside for later.
2
Next, add the garlic cloves to the bowl and chop for 10 seconds at speed 9. Then reduce the speed to 5 and drop the quartered onion onto the moving blades for another 5 seconds. Set this mixture aside.
3
Heat the vegetable oil in the Thermomix for 1 minute and 30 seconds at Varoma temperature on speed 1. Add the diced lamb to the bowl and cook for 3 minutes at Varoma temperature, reverse speed 1. Remove the lamb and set it aside.
4
Return the garlic and onion mixture to the bowl, along with the turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Cook this mixture for 3 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius on speed 1.5.
5
Add the cooked lamb back to the bowl, along with the undrained canned tomatoes and vegetable stock. Cook the stew for 60 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius, reverse speed 1.5, using the measuring cup to allow steam to escape, and help thicken the sauce. If you notice spattering, place the steaming basket on top.
6
About 10 minutes before the cooking time ends, add the grated lemon zest to the stew for an extra burst of flavor.
7
While the stew is finishing, roughly chop the greens into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large serving bowl. Once the stew is done, pour it over the greens and stir gently until they are wilted and combined.
8
Serve the lovely lamb stew over fluffy rice with toasted slivered almonds sprinkled generously on top, and a side of plain yogurt.
Nutrition Information
20 g
Fat
16 g
Carbs
26 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Afghani Spiced Lamb and Greens Stew?
It is a rich and flavorful stew combining tender lamb shoulder with aromatic Afghan spices and vibrant greens like spinach or kale.
What cut of meat is best for this recipe?
Lamb shoulder is recommended, diced into 3 cm pieces for the best texture and flavor.
What types of greens can I use?
You can use 350g of roughly chopped spinach, kale, or any other leafy greens available to you.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories, 20g of fat, 16g of carbohydrates, and 26g of protein.
Is this stew spicy?
The stew contains cayenne pepper for heat, though you can adjust the 1/2 teaspoon measurement to suit your personal taste.
What spices give this dish its Afghani flavor?
The aromatic profile is created using a blend of turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.
Can I make this in a Thermomix?
Yes, these instructions are specifically designed for Thermomix preparation, including speed and temperature settings like Varoma.
How do I prepare the lemon zest for this dish?
The lemon zest is grated in the Thermomix for 20 seconds at speed 9 and added about 10 minutes before the end of cooking.
What should I serve with the lamb stew?
It is best served over fluffy rice with toasted slivered almonds and a side of plain yogurt.
How long does the lamb simmer?
The lamb cooks for 60 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius on reverse speed 1.5.
Why is the measuring cup removed during simmering?
Removing or angling the measuring cup allows steam to escape, which helps thicken the sauce.
How do I prevent spattering during the long cook time?
You can place the steaming basket on top of the lid to prevent spattering while still allowing steam to escape.
When do I add the greens to the stew?
The greens are placed in a serving bowl, and the hot stew is poured over them at the end to wilt them gently.
What type of stock is used?
The recipe calls for 500g of vegetable stock.
Do I need to drain the canned tomatoes?
No, use 400g of canned tomatoes with their juices to provide liquid for the stew.
How much oil is required?
You will need 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
What is the first step in the recipe?
The first step is to zest the lemon in the Thermomix bowl at speed 9 for 20 seconds.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4 peeled garlic cloves.
How do I process the onion?
The onion should be peeled, quartered, and dropped onto moving blades at speed 5 for 5 seconds.
What temperature is used to cook the lamb initially?
The lamb is cooked at Varoma temperature for 3 minutes on reverse speed 1.
How much lamb is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 kg of lamb shoulder.
Can I substitute the greens?
Yes, the dish is adaptable to whatever leafy greens you have on hand, such as lettuce or kale.
How much turmeric is in the stew?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of turmeric.
What is the purpose of the almonds?
Toasted slivered almonds are sprinkled on top for added texture and a nutty flavor.
What is the total amount of slivered almonds?
The recipe calls for 45g of toasted slivered almonds.
Is there any sugar or sodium information available?
No, the specific sugar, sodium, and cholesterol values are not provided for this recipe.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How much nutmeg is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg.
What is the cooking speed for the spice mixture?
The spice and onion mixture is cooked at speed 1.5 for 3 minutes.