Dushbara are very small dumplings served in broth. They are a classic Azerbaijani dish, especially popular in Baku and the surrounding region. Traditional broth needs to be made well in advance. It will keep for up to five days in the refrigerator but can also be frozen. Put the lamb …
Read More »Farid
Baku halva recipe
Halva is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet, popular in Azerbaijan. There are many variations on two basic types of halva: one is a moist, near-liquid sweet made from butter, sugar and flour while the other is harder and is based on nuts or sesame seeds. Saying halva won't make your …
Read More »Stuffed vine leaves – Yarpag dolmasi
The term dolma covers a variety of stuffed vegetable dishes, widespread in the Middle East and Mediterranean area. Stuffed vine leaves or yarpag dolmasi are one of the most popular forms of dolma. Stuffed vine leaves are served as a main dish in Azerbaijani cuisine, whereas in other countries they …
Read More »Umaj halva
Halva is a traditional Middle Eastern sweet, popular in Azerbaijan. There are many variations on two basic types of halva: one is a moist, near-liquid sweet made from butter, sugar and flour while the other is harder and is based on nuts or sesame seeds. Saying halva won't make your …
Read More »Chicken soup recipe
Azerbaijani cuisine is rich in soups and stews – piti, bozbash, dovga and dushbara, to name but a few. Typical of many Azerbaijani soups is the use of different varieties of dried plum and prune to add a fruity zest to the flavour. Preparation time: 20 min Cooking time: 40 …
Read More »Rice pudding – Firni
Firni is a dessert made from rice and milk, much lighter than the British and North American baked rice puddings. Firni is popular in South Asia and the Middle East. In Azerbaijan, firni is made from rice flour, not grains of rice. Preparation time: 10 min Cooking time: 20 min …
Read More »Minced lamb – Lula kebab
Kebabs – barbecued meat, fish and vegetables – are a perennial favourite in Azerbaijan. They are an obligatory feature on special occasions, such as weddings. Azerbaijanis love to make kebabs at picnics and at their summer houses and, as is the case the world over, it is the men who …
Read More »Rice pilaf – Ash or plov
Rice pilaf or plov is the signature dish of Azerbaijani cuisine. Served on special occasions, pilaf is the final savoury dish at wedding feasts, brought in with great ceremony. Known in Azerbaijani as ash (aş) or plov, rice pilaf is thought to have come to Azerbaijan from Iran and India. …
Read More »Lamb stew with herbs – Sabzi qovurma
Sabzi qovurma or lamb stew with herbs is a classic Azerbaijani dish. Its name shows that sabzi qovurma is a blend of Persian and Turkic cooking, as "sabzi" means "green" in Persian while "qovurma" in Azerbaijani and other Turkic languages means "fried meat". The fine, complex flavours of Sabzi qovurma …
Read More »Lamb or veal stew with chestnuts and dried fruit
Lamb or veal stew with chestnuts and dried fruit is a very popular Azerbaijani dish, served with rice pilaf. It is an Azerbaijani version of a sweet and sour dish, although the various names for the dish usually refer either to the sweet or sour element, but not both together. …
Read More »