Ýarma (Turkmen Cracked Wheat with Mutton)
In short: Coarse cracked wheat toasted in lamb fat and simmered with small pieces of lamb and onion into a thick, filling porridge. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 530 kcal
Ýarma is one of the oldest Turkmen dishes, a thick porridge of coarse cracked wheat cooked in mutton fat with small pieces of lamb. The name comes from a word meaning half or split, for the cracked grain. Cooks toast the wheat in the fat first, then simmer it with water until it turns soft and creamy but still a little textured. It is warm and filling, and often made for special days.
Instructions
- Heat the fat in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the lamb for 6 minutes.
- Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and golden.
- Stir in the cracked wheat and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until it smells toasty and is coated in fat.
- Pour in the hot water and add the salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and cook on low heat for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until the wheat and lamb are tender.
- If it looks dry, add hot water 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) at a time. The finished ýarma should be thick like porridge.
- Rest for 10 minutes, covered, and serve hot.
Tips
- Use coarse cracked wheat. Fine bulgur turns to mush, and whole wheat berries need much longer cooking.
- It is good with thinly sliced raw onion, a spoonful of plain yogurt or a bowl of tea. A spoonful of butter stirred in at the end makes it richer.
Questions and answers
Can I make ýarma with beef or chicken?
Yes. Beef chuck needs the full cooking time. Chicken thighs, diced, need only 25 minutes, so add them with the water.
Can I reheat ýarma?
Yes. It thickens as it cools, so add a splash of hot water or broth when you reheat it on the stove.
Is ýarma like pilaf?
It is thicker and more porridge-like. The grain is cracked wheat, and the whole pot cooks together instead of steaming.
How long does it take to make Ýarma (Turkmen Cracked Wheat with Mutton)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Ýarma (Turkmen Cracked Wheat with Mutton)?
About 530 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 58 g of carbohydrates and 23 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 530 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 58 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 940 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
