Düşbərə (Azerbaijani Tiny Lamb Dumplings in Broth)
In short: Hazelnut-sized dumplings filled with lamb and onion, simmered in a clear broth and finished with dried mint and garlic vinegar. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h 40 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Düşbərə are the smallest dumplings you will ever fold, each hardly bigger than a hazelnut, filled with lamb and onion. Azerbaijani families make them for gatherings, with several people shaping at the table. They are cooked in a clear lamb broth and finished with dried mint and garlic vinegar, which gives the soup a bright, sour edge. The shaping takes patience, but the soup is light and warming.
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt, then work in the egg and water to make a firm dough. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth, wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Mix the lamb, onion, salt, pepper and water for the filling and knead for a minute until it holds together. Keep it chilled.
- Roll the dough out in portions as thin as you can, about 1.5 mm (1/16 in), and cut it into 3.5 cm (1 1/2 in) squares. Keep the squares under a towel.
- Put a scant 1/4 tsp of filling in the center of each square. Pinch the opposite corners together over the filling, then the other two, to make a small closed purse.
- Bring the broth to a gentle simmer in a large pot. Drop in the dumplings in batches and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until they float and the filling is cooked through (71°C / 160°F).
- Stir the garlic into the vinegar. Ladle the dumplings and broth into bowls and top with the dried mint, a spoonful of garlic vinegar and a pinch of sumac. Serve hot.
Tips
- Short on time? Cut larger 5 cm (2 in) squares. The dumplings will not be traditional, but they taste the same and cook in about 10 minutes.
- Freeze the shaped dumplings in a single layer on a tray, then bag them. Cook from frozen in simmering broth for about 12 minutes.
Questions and answers
How do you make garlic vinegar for düşbərə?
Crush 2 garlic cloves and stir them into 3 tbsp of white wine vinegar. Let it stand for 10 minutes, then add a spoonful to each bowl.
Can I use beef instead of lamb?
Yes. Ground beef works well, and so does chicken. Use a matching broth for the best flavor.
How many düşbərə make a portion?
About 30 small dumplings per bowl is a generous serving. Cooks often make a big batch and freeze the extras.
How long does it take to make Düşbərə (Azerbaijani Tiny Lamb Dumplings in Broth)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 1 h 40 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Düşbərə (Azerbaijani Tiny Lamb Dumplings in Broth)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
