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Tabakh roho
Tabakh roho ('it cooks itself'): Syrian lamb and summer vegetable stew with garlic and mint
Tabakh roho means 'it cooks itself', and this Damascus summer stew does just that: chunks of lamb, aubergine, courgette, potatoes, peppers and tomatoes are layered in a pot with garlic and dried mint and left to simmer quietly until everything is soft and the juices have mingled. Home cooks make it in July and August when the vegetables are cheapest, and it is eaten with rice or bread. Common mistake: stirring it — the layers should stay intact so each vegetable keeps its shape. Chef's tip: put the potatoes at the bottom where the heat is strongest and the tomatoes on top so their juices baste everything below.
- Total time
- 115 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy casserole over a high heat and brown 1 ⅛ lb boneless lamb shoulder in two batches, 4–5 minutes each, until well coloured.
10 minStep 2: Add 1 onion and 1 tsp ground allspice and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes until the onion softens.
5 minStep 3: Spread the meat evenly and layer on top, in order: 2 potatoes, 1 aubergine, 2 courgettes and 1 green pepper, scattering 6 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp dried mint and 1 ½ tsp salt between the layers. Finish with 3 tomatoes.
Step 4: Whisk 1 tbsp tomato paste into 1 ¾ cups water and pour it over. Press down lightly, cover with a lid and bring to a simmer.
Step 5: Cook over a low heat, without stirring, for 1–1¼ hours until the lamb is tender and the potatoes are soft right through. Shake the pot gently now and then.
75 minStep 6: Rest 10 minutes, then spoon out in layers with plenty of juice. Serve with rice or bread.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 29 g
- Carbs
- 33 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 9 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
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Good to know
- How long does tabakh roho take?
- About 115 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 90 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 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 onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of potatoes?
- Sweet potato, same weight (sweeter, cooks a little faster).
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