Best Albanian Lamb And Okra Stew Recipes

ALBANIAN LAMB AND OKRA STEW

Steps:

• Boil the lamb on a high heat in water (with a touch of salt) for 2 hours. Drain the water into a jug through a sieve to separate the meat and stock ready for the recipe.
• Cut just the tip of the stalks off the top of the Okra, ensuring that no holes appear. Wash them in cold water (removing any dirt), pat dry straight away and then lay them spaced out on a baking tray.
• Place in a pre-heated oven at 150 degrees for 10 minutes.
• While the Okra is baking, fry the onions in some olive oil for a few minutes then add the lamb and brown.
• Add the garlic, tomato puree, salt, pepper and then half of the stock. Mix well and simmer for a couple of minutes.
• Lastly, remove the Okra from the oven and add them straight into the pan, including the rest of the stock. Place the lid on and simmer for 20 minutes.
• For the best results, do not lift the lid until the time is up then remove it from the heat, leaving it to stand for a couple of minutes before serving.

MIDDLE EASTERN LAMB AND OKRA STEW (BAMIA STEW)

Steps:

• Trim the baby okras and wash in cold water and then place in a colander to drain.
• In a large saucepan, heat the oil or butter and add in the meat and brown on all side.
• Add the crushed garlic and chopped onions to the meat and saute till brown.
• Add in the chopped tomatoes, stirring in till the tomatoes are all broken down and soft, for about 10-15 minutes.
• Add in all the spices and salt and give it a good mix.
• Add enough water to cover the meat (about 7-8 cups) and stir to combine well.
• Add in the trimmed okras and bring to boil.
• Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, until the meat is tender (the sauce will thicken as it cooks).
• Lastly, pour in the lemon juice and add in the chopped coriander and carefully stir once or twice (careful not to mash the okras) and gently simmer for another 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and serve with rice.

BRAISED LAMB SHANK AND OKRA STEW

Steps:

• Make the lamb shanks: Allow lamb to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously season lamb with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Working in batches, add lamb and cook until brown on all sides, about 12 minutes. Transfer lamb to a bowl.
• Add onions and spice blend to pot and cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and add cherry tomatoes, stock, cardamom, bay leaves, saffron, and cinnamon to pot. Return lamb to pot and bring mixture to a boil. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook, turning halfway through, until meat is tender and falling off the bone, about 3 hours.
• Just before serving, bring salted water to a boil in a medium saute pan. Add okra and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Remove lamb from pot and skim any fat. Return lamb to pot along with cooked okra. Gently stir to combine.
• Make the cilantro condiment: Combine cilantro, garlic, lemon zest, and oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon over lamb before serving.