Abgoosht
Abgoosht ranks among the oldest Persian dishes, originating from a time when lamb and legumes were the staples of everyday kitchens, long simmered in clay pots over coals. The name literally means «meat water», a modest description for a dish that requires hours of simmering to reach its characteristic texture. The tradition of serving it in two stages — first the broth, then the mashed paste called gusht kubideh — reflects an old practical custom in Iranian households, where a single pot of food could feed a family with two distinct courses. Today it remains a cherished home-style dish, often served in traditional restaurants called dizi houses, each with its own clay mortar for mashing.
Bone-in lamb, slow simmered
Bone-in lamb pieces simmer for hours over low heat, giving the soup a dense richness.
Three kinds of legumes
Chickpeas, white beans and lentils cook together with the meat, gradually thickening the liquid.
Served in two stages
The liquid is strained and drunk first as a soup, while the solids are mashed separately as a second course.
Tomato paste for color
A spoonful of tomato paste gives the soup a ruby hue and a mild tang.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 600g bone-in lamb
- 200g chickpeas, soaked
- 150g white beans, soaked
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 medium potatoes
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper
How to make it
- 1Place the lamb, soaked chickpeas and soaked white beans in a large pot with cold water, bringing to a boil over high heat.
- 2Skim off the foam from the surface, then add the chopped onion, tomatoes, tomato paste and turmeric.
- 3Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered for two hours, until the meat becomes very tender.
- 4Add the whole potatoes and simmer another forty minutes, until fully cooked through.
- 5Strain the liquid into a large bowl, serving it immediately as the first course, hot.
- 6Mash the meat, cooked legumes and potatoes with a traditional masher until they form a thick paste.
- 7Serve the mashed paste as the second course, alongside flatbread and pickled vegetables.
Nutritional info
per serving (~400 ml)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
