Lagman (Kazakh Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)
Local name: лағман
In short: Wheat noodles under a thick stew of beef, peppers, carrots and potatoes, simmered with tomato and cumin and finished with fresh herbs. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 800 kcal
Lagman is a bowl of noodles under a thick, saucy stew of beef and vegetables, eaten across Central Asia and a daily favorite in Kazakh cities. Kazakh cooks usually use beef or lamb with carrots, peppers and potatoes, simmered until thick, while the noodles are boiled separately and the two meet in the bowl. Fresh herbs and a splash of vinegar finish it, and a fiery chili sauce is passed at the table.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over high heat. Brown the beef in 2 batches for 6 to 8 minutes, until well colored, then return it all to the pot.
- Add the onions and garlic and cook for 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute.
- Add the carrots and cook for 3 minutes, then add the cumin, paprika, salt and black pepper and stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the potatoes, peppers and tomatoes and pour in the water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes, until the beef is tender and the potatoes are soft.
- Uncover and simmer for 5 minutes more if the sauce is thin. It should be thick but still saucy. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Boil the noodles in plenty of salted water until just tender, about 8 to 10 minutes for dried spaghetti. Drain and toss with the teaspoon of oil.
- Divide the noodles among deep bowls, ladle over the sauce and top with coriander and dill. Add vinegar and chili sauce at the table.
Tips
- Fresh, hand-pulled noodles are traditional but need skill. Spaghetti or any thick wheat noodle is a good stand-in at home.
- Lamb can replace the beef, and a handful of green beans or daikon radish can be added with the potatoes. Cook the sauce a day ahead, and it improves.
Questions and answers
Can I make lagman ahead?
Make the sauce up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Boil the noodles fresh when you serve, since they turn soft if stored in sauce.
Can I freeze lagman sauce?
Yes. Freeze the sauce without the noodles for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently, adding a little water.
Is lagman a soup or a main dish?
It is a main dish, but in some places it is made with more broth so it is eaten like a soup. This version is thick and saucy.
How long does it take to make Lagman (Kazakh Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Lagman (Kazakh Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 800 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 98 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 800 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 98 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
