kazakhstan food recipes

Kazakhstan food recipes: Kazakhstan’s food culture is rich and varied, influenced by its nomadic traditions, local ingredients and neighboring countries like Russia, Uzbekistan and China.

Traditional Kazakh dishes, known for being delicious food that reflects the simplicity and cultural heritage of the region, have many traditional kazakh dish recipes.

Here are some popular Kazakh food recipes with detailed instructions:

Beshbarmak, the most popular dish in Kazakh cuisine, is a part of traditional dining and communal gatherings. These recipes show the traditional food that is deeply rooted in local customs and easy to make.

About Kazakh Food

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Kazakh cuisine is a unique and tasty blend of traditional dishes, heavily influenced by the country’s nomadic heritage and its location in Central Asia.

The cuisine uses horse meat, lamb boiled meat and meat broth which are staples in many Kazakh dishes.

One of the most popular Kazakh dishes is Beshbarmak, a kazakh dish made with boiled horse meat and noodles, often served at special occasions.

Kazakh food also uses dairy products like sour milk and mare’s milk and often includes caramelized onions to add flavor.

Beshbarmak (Kazakhstan’s National Dish)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb or beef (with bones for broth)
• 500g horse meat sausage (kazy) – optional
• 500g flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 onion
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water (for dough and boiling)

Instructions:

Prepare the Meat:

1. Boil the lamb or beef with salt in boiling water until tender. Skim off any foam during cooking to get a clear broth. For tender meat cook on low heat for 2-3 hours with the lid on.
2. If using kazy, add it to the pot and cook together.
3. Once cooked, remove the meat, let it cool slightly and cut into pieces.

Make the Noodles:

1. Mix flour, eggs, salt and water to form a firm dough.
2. Roll out the dough thinly and cut into large square or rectangular pasta squares.
3. Boil the noodles in the meat broth until they float.

Assemble:

1. Place the noodles on a plate.
2. Add meat slices.
3. Slice the onion into rings, scald with hot broth and place on top.
4. Serve with the remaining broth in bowls. Beshbarmak is traditionally eaten with five fingers.

A modern version of Beshbarmak uses easier-to-prepare ingredients while still keeping the flavors and essence of the original dish.

Kuurdak (Fried Meat with Onions)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb or beef (cubed)
• 1 large onion (sliced)
• 2-3 potatoes (cubed)
• 2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt, black pepper, and paprika to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a deep pan or wok.
2. Deep fry the meat on high heat until browned on all sides.
3. Lower the heat and add onions; sauté until golden.
4. Add potatoes and bay leaf; mix well. Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender.
5. Season with salt, black pepper and paprika.
6. Serve hot as a main dish.

Baursaki (Kazakh Fried Dough)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 500g flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• 250ml warm milk or water
• 1 egg
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions:

1. Mix the yeast with warm milk and sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and the yeast mixture. Add the egg and knead until a soft dough forms.
3. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
4. Roll out the dough and cut into small pieces or shapes.
5. Heat oil in a deep pan and deep fry the dough pieces until golden brown.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve. For extra flavor sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Baursaki is often eaten with tea, jam or honey.

Shashlik (Kazakh-style Skewers)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 1kg lamb or beef (cubed)
• 2 onions (grated or thinly sliced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate the meat:
   • Combine meat, onions, garlic, vinegar, oil and spices in a bowl.
   • Cover and marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight is better).
2. Prepare skewers:
   • Thread the marinated meat onto skewers.
3. Cook:
   • Grill the skewers over hot coals or a barbecue until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred.
   • Serve with fresh vegetables, naan bread or a salad.

Shelpek (Kazakh Flatbread)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup milk or water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Steps:

1. Mix flour, salt, milk and melted butter to make a soft dough.
2. Divide the dough into small balls and roll into thin circles.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook each flatbread until golden brown on both sides.
4. Drain and serve warm. Shelpek is often served with tea or soups.

Lagman (Noodle Soup with Meat and Vegetables)

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb or beef (cubed)
• 300g noodles (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 1 bell pepper (diced)
• 3 tomatoes (chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 potato (cubed)
• Salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté the meat until browned.
2. Add onions, garlic and spices; cook until fragrant.
3. Add carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and other vegetables. Stir well.
4. Add water or broth and simmer on the stove top until vegetables are tender.
5. Cook the noodles separately according to package instructions.
6. Serve the soup over the noodles and garnish with fresh herbs.

These are Kazakhstan’s national dishes and cuisine. The dishes often feature meat, flour products and simple seasonings as the nomadic lifestyle and local ingredients are used.

Dairy in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Dairy plays a big role in Kazakh cuisine as many traditional dishes include sour milk, mare’s milk and other dairy products.

Nomadic tribes of Kazakhstan have been dairy farming for centuries and dairy products are an essential part of the country’s cuisine.

Some of the dairy products in Kazakhstan are kumis (fermented horse milk) and shubat (fermented camel’s milk).

These dairy products not only taste good but also give a unique flavor, nutritional value and benefits to the immune system to Kazakh dishes especially when you thinly slice accompanying vegetables.

Kazakhstan Desserts

Kazakhstan food recipes:

Kazakh cuisine is not just about savory dishes; it also has a lot of sweet desserts that reflect the country’s culinary traditions.

Here are a couple of traditional Kazakh dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth:

Kazakhstan Food Culture

Kazakhstan’s food culture is deeply rooted in its nomadic traditions and hospitality. Sharing a meal is a big social event and guests are treated with great respect and generosity.

Traditional Kazakh meals start with a serving of tea with various sweets and dairy products. T

he main course usually features a delicious meal with meat (lamb, beef or horse meat) served with homemade noodles or bread.

Special occasions and celebrations are marked by preparing central asian dishes like Beshbarmak which is considered the national food of Kazakhstan.

The communal aspect of dining is emphasized with large platters of food shared among family and friends. This not only reflects the Kazakh people’s hospitality but also their sense of community and togetherness.

In Kazakh culture food is not just for sustenance; it’s a way for the kazakh people to connect with others, celebrate traditions and honor guests.

Whether it’s a daily meal or a festive feast Kazakh cuisine offers a rich and flavorful experience with many dishes and reflects the country’s history and heritage.

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