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RCI-RC.001.0118.001

Mansaf from Jordan

The national dish of Jordan is Mansaf: Lamb, sometimes lightly spiced, cooked in yoghurt, and served with huge quantities of rice.

vegetarianvegangluten-freedairy-free
Prep35 min
Cook30 min
Total65 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate

Ingredients

  • lamb
    cut up in large pieces with bone
    1 unit
  • jameed
    which is low fat yogurt, mixed with salt,then strained in cotton bags and dried in apple-sized balls
    1 unit
  • 1 unit
  • turmeric powder
    for coloring
    ½ teaspoon
  • pine nuts
    fried in corn oil until golden
    1 unit
  • almonds
    boiled, peeled, and fried in corn oil until golden
    1 unit
  • calrose rice (medium grain
    Egyptian)
    1 unit
  • vermicelli
    for rice
    1 unit

Method

1
Toast the almonds and pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
5 minutes
2
Season the lamb pieces generously with turmeric powder and a pinch of salt, ensuring the spice coats all surfaces evenly.
3 minutes
3
Place the seasoned lamb in a large heavy-bottomed pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
10 minutes
4
Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer the lamb slowly until the meat is very tender and nearly falling off the bone.
90 minutes
5
While the lamb cooks, toast the vermicelli in a separate dry pan over medium heat until it turns a light golden-brown color, then set aside.
4 minutes
6
Add the toasted vermicelli to the lamb broth and cook until the vermicelli is fully softened and has absorbed the flavored broth.
8 minutes
7
Arrange the vermicelli base on a large serving platter and place the tender lamb pieces on top, ladling some of the broth over the entire dish to keep it moist.
3 minutes
8
Garnish generously with the toasted almonds and pine nuts over the lamb and vermicelli, and serve immediately with additional warm broth on the side.