Albanian Tave Kosi Recipe
Hello everyone! Today, I am super excited to share with you a recipe for a very special dish from Albania called Tave Kosi.
This dish is especially famous in a city in Albania called Elbasan. Before we jump into the recipe, let’s learn a bit about Elbasan, and where this dish comes from.
Elbasan is a beautiful city in central Albania. It’s known for its history and culture. The city has an old castle, and it’s surrounded by mountains and rivers.
Elbasan is also famous for its food, and one of the most popular dishes there is this dish.
What is Tave Kosi?
This dish is a traditional Albanian dish that’s tasty and comforting. It’s a baked dish made with lamb, yogurt, eggs, and rice.
The Albanian people usually like to eat this dish with the famous cornbread and with some good alcohol like raki, click here to get this recipe.
Some people call it the Albanian version of a casserole. The dish is known for its unique flavor and creamy texture.
The history of Tave Kosi is quite interesting. It’s said that this dish was made for the first time in Elbasan. People in Albania often cook it for special occasions, but it’s also a great meal for any day of the week.
What Are the Ingredients and Preparation to Make This Dish?
To make this dish, you’ll need some simple ingredients. Here’s what you should have:
- Lamb (you can also use chicken if you prefer)
- Long-grain white rice
- Plain yogurt
- Eggs
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt, pepper, and other spices like oregano
The preparation of Tave Kosi involves a few steps. First, you cook the lamb until it’s nice and tender. Then, you make a creamy sauce by mixing yogurt with eggs and spices.
After that, you layer the cooked lamb in a baking dish, add the cooked rice, and pour the yogurt mixture over the top. Finally, you bake it in the oven until the top gets a golden-brown color.
Why You Should Try Tave Kosi?
There are so many reasons to try this dish! First of all, it’s a delicious way to explore Albanian cuisine.
The combination of tender lamb with the creamy yogurt sauce is just amazing. Plus, it’s a comforting dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Making This delicious dish is also a fun way to learn about a different culture and its food traditions. And the best part? It’s not too hard to make, so even if you’re new to cooking, you can definitely give it a try.
Albanian Tave Kosi Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g lamb cut into pieces (can substitute with chicken)
- 4 tablespoons long-grain white rice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups plain yogurt
- 5 eggs
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Lamb: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large pot, heat some olive oil and brown the lamb pieces. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the lamb is tender. This may take about 1 hour. Remove the lamb and set aside.
- Cook Rice: In the same pot, cook the rice in boiling water until it’s halfway cooked, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make Yogurt Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt and eggs until smooth. Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, and cook for a couple of minutes. Gradually add the yogurt and egg mixture, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir continuously over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble the Dish: In a baking dish, spread the half-cooked rice and place the cooked lamb on top. Pour the yogurt sauce over the lamb and rice, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top of the casserole turns a golden brown.
- Serve: Let the Tave Kosi cool slightly before serving. It can be enjoyed with a side of fresh salad or your favorite vegetables.