Feast like royalty with Royal Mansaf, a traditional Jordanian dish that exudes grandeur and taste. This culinary masterpiece combines tender lamb simmered in a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce, served over a bed of aromatic rice. Each element of Mansaf is steeped in tradition, offering a rich, flavorful experience that's deeply rooted in Jordanian culture.
Preparation and Cooking Times
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings and Serving Size
- Servings: 6 people
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cups
Nutritional Profile (per serving)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Protein: 38 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fat: 35 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
Ingredients
- Lamb shoulder, cut into chunks: 1 kg (35 ounces / 2.2 pounds)
- Plain yogurt: 1 liter (35 ounces / 2.2 pounds)
- Long grain rice: 500 grams (17.6 ounces / 1.1 pounds)
- Almonds, slivered: 100 grams (3.5 ounces / 0.22 pounds)
- Pine nuts: 50 grams (1.76 ounces / 0.11 pounds)
- Garlic cloves, crushed: 30 grams (1 ounce / 0.066 pounds)
- Ground cardamom: 5 grams (0.18 ounces / 0.01 pounds)
- Salt: 10 grams (0.35 ounces / 0.022 pounds)
- Ground black pepper: 5 grams (0.18 ounces / 0.01 pounds)
- Olive oil: 30 ml (1 ounce / 0.066 pounds)
Detailed Method of Preparation
- Cooking Lamb: In a large pot, cook the lamb with garlic, cardamom, salt, and pepper until tender (about 1.5 hours).
- Preparing Yogurt Sauce: In a separate pot, slowly heat the yogurt while stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Once warm, add some of the lamb’s cooking liquid.
- Combining Lamb and Yogurt: Add the cooked lamb to the yogurt sauce. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
- Cooking Rice: Cook the rice in salted water until fluffy.
- Toasting Nuts: In a small pan, toast almonds and pine nuts in olive oil until golden.
- Assembling Mansaf: Serve the lamb over rice, topped with the creamy yogurt sauce and sprinkled with toasted nuts.
Tips for Culinary Success
- Stirring the yogurt constantly is crucial for a smooth sauce.
- Slow cooking the lamb ensures it’s tender and flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use beef instead of lamb in Mansaf?
Yes, beef can be substituted, though lamb is traditional for its unique flavor.
How can I prevent the yogurt sauce from curdling?
Use full-fat yogurt and stir continuously on low heat.
Is there a dairy-free alternative to the yogurt sauce?
Coconut milk can be a substitute, but it will significantly alter the traditional flavor.