International Cuisine

Exploring the world through food.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
  • Journey by Country
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • My Cookbook

Qurutob (Bread Salad)

May 27, 2021 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Qurutob is a beloved bread salad but what makes it unique and special are the balls of dried salty cheese called qurut balls.  These round hard balls are softened with hot water which then turns into a yogurt type substance.  I was really happy to have found them on the internet so I could try the real thing, you can get them here. 

A bowl full of qurotob a bread salad with vegetables and chilies on top served with non bread

I love trying new and unique ingredients.  These little dried salted cheese balls were developed centuries ago in Central Asia as a means of preserving dairy products for long journey’s for their nomadic lifestyle.  They go by many different names but kurt and qurut are common. Fresh qurut is soft and crumbly but dries hard with time. It can last a whopping 7 to 8 years while maintaining its nutritional value. 

This Qurutob salad is made also with Tajik bread, you can of course use a ready made naan bread as a substitute but why not make the real thing.  You likely won’t have a tandoor (clay oven ) that is used in Tajikistan but you can come pretty close with your oven at home.  

Be sure to get the other Tajik and Uzbek recipes to make a complete and delicious meal. Tajik bread, Plov and cream cheese cookies.

Did you know that both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were part of the Silk Road?  In fact Uzbekistans Silk Road sites include four of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fifth is the Then-Shan mountains. 

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

Please note that this page contains affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

A bowl full of qurotob a bread salad with vegetables and chilies on top served with non bread
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Qurutob (Bread Salad)

A delicious bread salad made with qurut, a dried salty cheese ball. This ball is mixed with water and it makes a yogurt like substance that acts as a dressing.
Course Salad or Side dish
Cuisine Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 400kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, white Sliced thinly
  • 1 piece naan bread
  • 1 large Tomato Sliced thinly
  • 1 cucumber peeled and sliced thinly
  • 1 bunch Coriander chopped finely
  • 1/4 cup walnuts crushed
  • 1 Tbsp oil sunflower
  • 3 fresh chili peppers
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 300 grams qurut You should order this online or substitute Feta
  • 1/4 cup Hot water +/- to pour over qurut balls add enough for desired consisitency.

Instructions

  • toast the naan bread until warm in oven, then tear up into pieces
  • Pour the hot water over the qurut balls until you get a yogurt like consistency
  • Put some oil in a frying pan fry 1/2 the white onion slices until caramelized.
  • In a large bowl or plate place the yogurt mixture on the bottom then add the torn pieces of bread and crushed walnuts
  • Add on top the cucumbers, tomatoes, remaining onion and coriander
  • Pour over the oil and onions
  • top with the chili peppers
  • Toss , making sure to get all the qurut mixture at the bottom and serve with extra bread

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 353mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 420mg | Iron: 1mg

 

Filed Under: Recipes, Salad, Tajikistan

Plov (National Dish of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan)

May 27, 2021 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Plov or Osh is considered to be the national dish of both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  This dish is made in giant pots called Kazan and served in markets all over.  It is believed that only men are the masters of preparing plov. There is a saying that the one who has managed to cook a real plov, will be able to cook any other dish. In Uzbekistan a man should be able to make a plov to feed 1000 people. 

a platter full of Uzbek plov with lamb pieces, carrots, a whole roasted garlic and of course seasoned rice.

I loved making this plov dish, it truly is a scrumptious meal.  There are hundreds of variations and I am certain each family has their own beloved plov recipe.  There is an old Turkish saying “There are as much kinds of Plov as there cities in the Muslim world are.”

This recipe has lamb, onions, carrots and a little dried berry called a barberry which I had never tried before.  I found it here. It is called Zereshk and is wildly harvested and full of antioxidants. It tastes similar to a dried cranberry which would be a fine substitute if you want. I always love trying new things and try to be as authentic as possible. 

Uzbek plov is unique, as the rice is simmered in a broth of meat and vegetables called zirvak. It simmers until all the liquid evaporates. Uzbeks believe this method keeps the rice tender and full of flavor without it being soggy. 

Be sure to get the other Tajik and Uzbek recipes to make a complete and delicious meal, qurutob bread salad, Tajik bread and cream cheese cookies.

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

Please note that this page contains affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

a platter full of Uzbek plov with lamb pieces, carrots, a whole roasted garlic and of course seasoned rice.
Print Pin
3 from 17 votes

Plov (The National dish of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Plov goes by many names, in Tajikistan they call it Osh but it also known as pilaf, pilau, polu, pilav, or palaw to name a few. A delicious main dish you will love.
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 422kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1 lb leg of lamb boneless , cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 head garlic whole
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 large carrots cut into thin matchsticks
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • ½ cup barberry zereshk
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

  • Place the basmati rice in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside.
  • Wash the garlic head. Cut about a quarter inch off the top to expose the cloves. Set aside.
  • Lightly toast cumin, coriander seeds and peppercorns in a pan for a few minutes. (Take care that they do not burn)
  • Grind using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Set aside.
  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven over high heat. Add the lamb pieces, stir occasionally until the lamb is browned all around.
  • Remove the lamb pieces and set aside.
  • Stir in onions and cook, until onion is soft and golden, about 10 minutes.
  • Stir in carrots and cook, until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the lamb and mix.
  • Sprinkle the mixture of cumin, coriander, peppercorns and add the barberries.
  • Add the whole garlic head, mix well. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Wash and drain the basmati rice. Pour the rice over the lamb mixture in an even layer.
  • Slowly pour the vegetable broth in. The rice should be covered in liquid by about ½ inch. Do not stir.
  • Season with salt and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  • Mix the ingredients as you serve the dish on a platter. Garnish with the garlic head.

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 2051mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5243IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg

 

 

Filed Under: Main Dish, Recipes, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Tajik Cookies (Cream Cheese Cookies)

May 27, 2021 By Darlene at International Cuisine

Tajik Cookies are made with the cream cheese in the dough.  They are stuffed with a little pocket of raisins and walnuts and dipped in sugar.  They went perfectly with the green tea which is considered to be the national drink of Tajikistan.  

a pan full of Tajikistan cookies garnished with walnuts.

Honestly these cookies were fun to make and everybody loved them!  The cream cheese in the dough makes for a very light and delicate cookie.  A true delight! These cookies can be found in Uzbekistan as well.

Fruit could also be used as a dessert for either country.  Apples and pears came originally from this region and Uzbekistan is said to have the sweetest melons in the world. 

Did you know that there is a strikingly beautiful mountain lake in Tajikistan called Iskanderkul? It gets its name from Alexander the Great and is believed to be where his horse, Bucephalus, drowned in a battle. The water appears to change color during the day from turquoise to milky white.   

If you would like to learn more about Tajikistan an Uzbekistan, check out “Our Journey to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan” be sure to get the other Tajik and Uzbek recipes to make a complete and delicious meal, qurutob bread salad, Tajik bread and plov.

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world, so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

Please note that this page contains affiliate links in which I will earn a small commission however, it will in no way affect the price you pay. I thank you for your support!

a pan full of Tajikistan cookies garnished with walnuts.
Print Pin
4.75 from 4 votes

Tajik Cookies (Cream Cheese Cookies)

These cookies from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are light, delicate and absolutely delicious. Serve them with green tea for an authentic treat!
Course Dessert
Cuisine Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 177kcal
Author Darlene at International Cuisine

Ingredients

  • 2 cubes butter
  • 1 pkg Cream Cheese
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 Tbsp raisins
  • 2 Tbsp walnuts chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Leave butter and cream cheese at room temperature.
  • Soak the raisins and chop the walnuts
  • In a bowl, mix butter and cream cheese well.
  • Add in vanilla, flour and baking powder and mix together until a soft dough forms.
  • Put the sugar on a small plate
  • Take a spoonful of dough and make a ball about the size of a golf ball.
  • Flatten the dough and place one side on the sugar. Flip, then put a small bit of raisins and walnuts on sugar side.
  • Fold in half and place on sugar on one side.
  • Fold again and place on sugar.
  • Unfold a little of upper top side.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes till the cookies golden brown.
  • Serve with green tea for an authentic experience.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Dessert, Recipes, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

Welcome to International Cuisine

Hello my name is Darlene and thank you for stopping by!

I am cooking a meal from every country in the world. I do extensive research and choose a menu that I feel best represents the country and their cuisine. Of course that also includes the authentic, delicious recipes. Simply click on the link or the photo in the journey by country posts to get them. I also share important information about the country as well.

I love to cook, photograph, and especially travel. I hope you enjoy this culinary and cultural adventure around the world. Be sure to join the journey so you don't miss a thing. It's free!

Our Mission

To promote cultural appreciation by cooking our way across the world, one nation at a time. To discover the struggles and joys that have influenced the people, to gain an appreciation of their land and traditions and to feel the hospitality that only sharing a meal can convey.

Come join the journey, explore a new country each week and embark on a fantastic culinary adventure.

Connect and share with Us

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join the Journey It’s Free!

Sign up for my culinary, travel and cultural adventure delivered right to your inbox so you won't miss a thing.

Copyright International Cuisine 2014-2021 All Rights Reserved