Abgoosht (Dizi): S'tew delicious to let go!

If you ever thought that meat broth or stock is only good for making gravy and sauces, think again!

Today, I want to show you the recipe for the most favourite dish in Iran: Abgoosht (directly translating to Meat Broth). This is a dish that is traditionally served in stoneware bowls called Dizi (something similar to a mortar and pestle set).

Let's not forget the scene in the movie Ganj-e-Gharoon where abgoosht is famously advertised (I wouldn't be lying if I said this scene was a major contributor to the success of the film).

Imagine a delicious meaty soup that is thickened with chickpeas, white and kidney beans, potatoes and served with some pickled vegetables, traditional Persian bread (Sangak) and onions on the side. Not that difficult to make right?

So what does it look like when it's ready to be served?

How do we make it then? Let's go!

Ingredients (to serve 4):

Leg of lamb: 500 gram
Potatoes:  4 (EA)
Carrots: 2 (EA)
Tomatoes: 3 peeled and mashed and cooked
Kidney beans: 3 cups
Chickpea: 3 cups
White beans: 3 cups
Note: All beans mush be soaked in water for at least 5 hours and then after strain the water

Instructions:

In a pot add chopped onions and let them fry on medium heat. Then add the lamb meat, and let it cook until golden. Once golden, add 2 cups of water and let it cook on medium heat.  

At the same time add the beans, tomatoes, carrots, chickpea and potatoes to the stew and continue to cook on medium heat. Make sure to add some seasoning like turmeric and cinnamon, salt and a pinch of black pepper to the stew whilst cooking.

Once the stew has settled, we reach the most fun part of it!

When you're sure that the ingredients are cooked thoroughly, you should strain the dish. The solids are mashed as goosht koobideh (literally "mashed meat") using a mortar and pestle.

When you are doing this don't forget to add chopped raw onions along with cinnamon (2 tbspn) and salt. The mash is then served with the broth, either in a separate dish, along with Sangak (persian bread), or mixed in with the broth with the pickled vegetables (torhsi litteh).

Don't forget the icing on the cake that is Doogh (Yoghurt drink) to go with it!

As persians would say: Abgoosht bezanim o keif konim! (Bon appétit!)