Ankara Tava - Turkish Lamb and Rice

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs 10 mins

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 30 mins

  • Servings

    4 people

  • Calories

    723 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Turkish

Ankara Tava - Turkish Lamb and Rice

Ankara Tava is a delicious and hearty Turkish lamb and rice dish made with tender, slow-cooked lamb pieces and spiced aromatic rice.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Lamb

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1000 g shoulder of lamb (cut into medium-sized chunks)
  • 1200 ml water
  • 1 medium carrot (cut in chunks)
  • 1 medium onion (cut in chunks)
  • 2 stalks celery (cut in chunks)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 peppercorns
  • 2 cloves peeled garlic

For the Rice

  • 40 g butter
  • 2 Turkish green peppers or 1 bell pepper (finely sliced - diced)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (finely diced)
  • 400 g short grain rice such as baldo or tosya
  • teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • cups broth from lamb
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Instructions

Cooking the Lamb

  1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil.
  2. Once hot, add the lamb pieces and sear them until browned on all sides. This step locks in the flavors.
  3. Stir in the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and sauté for a minute before adding the bay leaf, peppercorns, and water.
  4. Bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the lamb simmer for 1½ - 2 hours, until tender.
  5. When the lamb is tender, take it out and set it aside.
  6. Strain the aromatic broth through a sieve and set it aside to use for cooking the rice.

Cooking the Rice

  1. Soak the rice in warm salted water for 20 minutes. Then, place it in a sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear.
  2. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and add the peppers. 
  3. Sauté for a few minutes until they begin to soften, then stir in the chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are tender.
  4. Mix in the allspice, cinnamon, freshly ground black pepper, and salt, and sauté for another minute.
  5. Add the cooked lamb pieces along with the rice, and pour in the lamb broth.
  6. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 20–25 minutes, being careful not to stir to maintain the layering.
  7. Once cooked, turn off the heat and let the pan sit covered for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the rice to become fluffy.

Notes

  • The quality of the lamb significantly impacts the flavor. Use fresh, locally sourced grass fed lamb meat if possible.
  • The cooking time of the lamb depends on the cut and the size of the lamb pieces.
  • Soaking the rice ensures even cooking and prevents it from clumping together.
  • Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch and ensure a fluffy texture.
  • Baldo rice, a short-grain variety grown in Turkey, is the best choice for Ankara Tava. It’s starchy, absorbs plenty of moisture, and cooks up creamy and tender while holding its shape.
  • Let the dish rest covered and undisturbed for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the rice to become fluffy.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 723kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 91g (30%) Protein 43g (86%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 122mg (41%) Sodium 1383mg (58%) Potassium 940mg (27%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 3628IU (73%) Vitamin C 61mg (68%) Calcium 77mg (8%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 723 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 723kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 91g 30%
Protein 43g 86%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 122mg 41%
Sodium 1383mg 58%
Potassium 940mg 20%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 3628IU 73%
Vitamin C 61mg 68%
Calcium 77mg 8%
Iron 8mg 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent

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