Turli Tava (Macedonian Baked Lamb and Vegetable Casserole)
Local name: Турли тава
In short: Lamb and seasonal vegetables baked together in a deep dish with tomato and paprika until the meat is tender and the vegetables are soft. It takes about 2 h 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 2 h 20 min
- Total
- 2 h 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 460 kcal
Turli tava means mixed pan, and that is exactly what it is: lamb and a heap of seasonal vegetables baked together in one deep dish. Cooks make it when the market is full of eggplants, peppers, zucchini and green beans. The lamb is browned first, then bakes under the vegetables until everything is tender and the sauce is thick with tomato and paprika. It needs little attention and feeds a crowd.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Pat the lamb dry and season it with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Heat the oil in a heavy pan over high heat and brown the lamb in two batches, about 5 minutes per batch. Move it to a large, deep baking dish.
- In the same pan, cook the onions for 6 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste and paprika and cook for 1 minute, then scatter the mixture over the lamb.
- Layer the potatoes and eggplant over the lamb, then the peppers, zucchini and green beans. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the savory, and spread the tomatoes on top.
- Pour in the hot water and cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the foil, stir gently to bring the lamb up, and bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the lamb is tender and the sauce is thick.
- Sprinkle with the parsley, rest for 10 minutes and serve with bread.
Tips
- Cut the vegetables large, around 4 cm (1 1/2 in), so they hold their shape over the long bake.
- Beef chuck or pork shoulder can replace the lamb. Cook beef for the same time, and pork for about 15 minutes less.
Questions and answers
Can I make turli tava vegetarian?
Yes. Skip the lamb, add a can of drained chickpeas or white beans and bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes in total.
Can I make turli tava ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and the flavor improves. Reheat covered at 170°C (340°F) for 25 minutes.
Which vegetables can I use in turli tava?
Use what is in season. Okra, carrots, cauliflower and celery also work. Keep the potatoes and tomatoes as the base so the sauce stays thick.
How long does it take to make Turli Tava (Macedonian Baked Lamb and Vegetable Casserole)?
About 2 h 55 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 2 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Turli Tava (Macedonian Baked Lamb and Vegetable Casserole)?
About 460 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 460 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
