Iraqi Turshana – Traditional Recipe – How to Cook Iraqi Turshana

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Iraqi Turshana – Traditional Recipe – How to Cook Iraqi Turshana

Turshana is a beloved traditional dish in Mesopotamia and is considered one of the signature meals of Iraqi cuisine. Iraqis have carried this dish with them wherever they settled, making it known outside of Iraq as well.

It is regarded as a main dish in Iraq, usually served for lunch but also enjoyed at dinner. Turshana is especially popular during family gatherings, feasts, and happy occasions.

This dish is rich in fats and calories, making it less suitable for those following a strict weight-loss diet. However, it also carries important health benefits: it provides vitamin C, is rich in potassium (which helps regulate blood pressure), and contains nuts that give the body plenty of energy.

Ingredients:

Iraqi Turshana

 

  • 500 g lamb meat

  • 1 cup dried apricots or dried peaches (according to preference)

  • ½ cup peeled almonds

  • ½ cup dried figs

  • 2 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee)

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

  • 1 cinnamon stick

  • 2 bay leaves

  • ¾ cup sugar

  • Water (enough to cover the meat)

Preparation:

  1. Wash the lamb and place it in a cooking pot. Chop the onion into small pieces and add it to the meat.

  2. Add the ghee, cinnamon stick, cardamom, and bay leaves. Stir well until the mixture takes on a reddish-brown color.

  3. Rinse the dried apricots (or peaches), figs, and raisins. Add them to the pot with the meat and onions. Stir continuously until most of the liquid evaporates.

  4. Add enough hot water to cover all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the meat cook until tender, adding more water if necessary.

  5. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a small pan until golden brown.

  6. Once the meat is fully cooked, add the almonds, along with the tomato paste and raisins. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer again.

  7. While simmering, sprinkle in the sugar and stir until it dissolves completely into the sauce.

  8. Transfer the dish into serving bowls and present it hot to the family to enjoy its unique, sweet-and-savory flavor.

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