Zahra Bi Laban (Cauliflower In Yogurt Sauce)

It couldnt get any more home cooking than this … this is something that you cant find in restaurants .. its traditional dish from the levant countries  (palestine, lebanon, syria, jordan).. this is one of my favorite dishes.. it might sound a little complicating to make but its not … its accually simple and reaally tasty .. its mainly lamb meat with cauliflower in yogurt sauce … to make it you will need:

- 500 gms. lamb meat.. about 1 lb… cut into about 2 inch pieces

- 1 kg cauliflower.. about 2 lb.. cut into florets

- 1 small onion, chopped

- 1 liter yogurt

- 2tb cornstarch, heaped

- 4 big garlic cloves, minced

- 1tb ghee or butter

- 1/4 ts white pepper

- 1/2 ts cardamom

- salt, to taste

In a big pot bring some water to a boil .. then add the cauliflower and boil .. let boil for about 15 mins..

Then strain the cauliflower … and set a side

In a deep fryer … fry the boiled cauliflower until golden in color …

Using a pressure cooker … place the onion, meat, white pepper, cardamom, and salt … DON’T add any oil .. cook over low heat uncovered for 15 mins.. until it releases its liquids and then its liquids reduces … keep an eye on it .. if it drys out fast then add a little water to it …

After 15 mins … add about 1.5 liters of water …Cover it and let it boil for 30 mins …until well cooked .. this will make enough stock for the recipe and more to cook the rice with ..

If you dont have pressure cooker .. then simply double the cooking time ..

In another pot … strain the yogurt .. this is done so that the yogurt doesnt split while cooking .. by splitting i mean that it will separate releasing its water …

Add a little water to the cornstarch … then add it to the yogurt … Also add to that about 1 1/2 cup water … if the yogurt is too thick .. you might need to add more water …

Put the yogurt mixture on low heat .. season with a little salt .. keep mixing it until slightly thickened … dont boil it alot or it might burn … keep an eye on it … u will simply see slight bubble on the side of the pot …

When the yogurt is slightly thickened … add the meat pieces to it …

Strain the stock …. about 4 cups to 1 liter

Keeping the heat on low .. add the stock to the yogurt mixture and stir well ..

Then add the cauliflower to it too … be careful when u stir it or the cauliflower will break ..

In a small frying pan .. melt the 1 tb ghee or butter .. then add the minced garlic and fry until golden … then add it to the yogurt ..  gently stir it .. then bring the whole mixture to a boil for about 15 mins over low heat …

And thats it … Serve it with a side of white rice thats cooked with the lamb stock …

Enjoy …

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