Sorpa (Kazakh Lamb Broth with Potatoes)
Local name: сорпа
In short: A clear, golden lamb broth simmered with onion, carrots and potatoes, finished with dill and served as a warming first course. It takes about 2 h 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 2 h 20 min
- Total
- 2 h 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 355 kcal
Sorpa is the clear, golden lamb broth Kazakh households keep close at hand, served as a first course, after a feast, or on its own when someone is under the weather. The broth simmers slowly with bone-in lamb, onion and black pepper, then carrots and potatoes cook in it. Some people sip the broth from a bowl beside a plate of boiled meat. It is simple and warming, and it improves overnight.
Instructions
- Put the lamb in a large pot, cover with the cold water and bring slowly to a boil. Skim off the foam for the first 10 minutes.
- Add the whole onion, bay leaves, peppercorns and salt. Lower the heat and simmer, partly covered, for 1 1/2 hours, until the meat is tender.
- Add the carrots and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer for 20 minutes more, until all the vegetables are tender.
- Lift the lamb out, cut the meat off the bones in chunks and return it to the pot. Discard the bones, whole onion and bay leaves.
- Taste and adjust the salt. Ladle into bowls and top with the sliced raw onion, dill and parsley.
Tips
- Skim carefully and keep the simmer gentle for a clear broth. A hard boil makes it cloudy and greasy.
- Chill the soup overnight and lift off the solid fat from the top for a lighter result. Reheat gently and add fresh herbs just before serving.
Questions and answers
Can I make sorpa ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge, and the flavor deepens overnight. Reheat gently and add fresh herbs.
Can I freeze sorpa?
Freeze the broth and meat for up to 3 months, without the potatoes, which turn grainy. Add fresh potatoes when you reheat it.
What do you serve with sorpa?
Fresh flatbread or baursak for dunking, and a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and onion.
How long does it take to make Sorpa (Kazakh Lamb Broth with Potatoes)?
About 2 h 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 2 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sorpa (Kazakh Lamb Broth with Potatoes)?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
