Lamb

Arni me Patates sto Fourno

(Greek roast lamb with potatoes)

A whole spit-roasted lamb is the classic Easter feast for most Greeks. But this recipe for roast leg of lamb with potatoes is popular too. It is just as tasty, yet simpler to prepare and more suitable for smaller gatherings. The variation with artichokes makes the dish a full meal. Read more »

Bichak

(Afghani stuffed savory and sweet pastries)

These triangular baked pastries come in both sweet and savory versions and are perfect as appetizers or with a cup of tea. The main recipe here is for meat (gosht) bichak, but try the pumpkin, cheese or jam versions too. Read more »

Bredie

(South African lamb stew)

Bredies are simple, traditional South African mutton stews in the Cape Malay tradition. The most popular are green bean bredie, tomato bredie and cabbage bredie. A basic bredie recipe is listed here, with the more common variations below. (Tip: A bredie will always taste better served the day after it is made.) Read more »

Dolmathes

(Greek grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat)

The Greek word dolmathes, or dolmades (ντολμαδες) comes from Turkish dolma, which is a general term for stuffed vegetables. Greek dolmathes, often known simply as dolmas in English, are stuffed grape leaves. This fresh and healthy finger food is also popular in Turkey, the Middle East and the Balkans. Read more »

Harira

(North African lamb and chickpea stew)

Harira is a soup from the Maghreb region of North Africa that is especially popular as an iftar meal to break the daily fast during Ramadan. There are innumerable variations of this hearty, healthy soup, but most recipes are for chunks of lamb slow simmered with tomatoes, chickpeas, spices and herbs. Read more »

Irish Stew

(Irish lamb and potato stew)

Even though this dish — known as ballymaloe, or stobhach gaelach in the Irish language — started out as a meal for hard times, its delicious flavor belies its humble origins. In the old days, this hearty stew was made with simple mutton neck bones and meat scraps for flavor. Sometimes actual mutton or young goat meat was used. In the last few decades it has become much more common to use milder flavored lamb. Read more »

Kadinbudu Köfte

(Turkish "lady thigh" meatballs")

Kadin budu means "lady thigh" in Turkish, and these simple meatballs (köfte) do indeed resemble the comely shape of a woman's leg. You'll love their comely flavor. Serve kadinbudu köfte with a variety of meze side dishes or with a simple side salad. Read more »

Kalam Polo

(Persian rice with meat and cabbage)

Kalam polo is a hearty, filling pilaf scented with cinnamon and saffron. Sometimes spelled kalam polow, or kalam pollo. Kalam is Farsi for cabbage. Read more »

Kefta

(Middle Eastern spiced meatballs)

Spiced meatballs are common in one form or another from Morocco in the west through the Middle East (kefta or kufta), to Greece (keftedes), Turkey (köfte), Armenia (kyufta), Iran (kufteh, or koofteh) and all the way to India (kofta) in the east. All names for these little balls of wonder derive from the Persian verb kuftan, which means "to grind." Read more »

Khinkali

(Georgian meat-filled dumplings)

Khinkali are a specialty of the Caucasus nation of Georgia. They are most often enjoyed at special restaurants where the tasty, meat-filled dumplings are served simply with a generous sprinkling of crushed black pepper. While ground beef and lamb are the most common fillings, you can also make khinkali stuffed with chopped mushrooms or cheese. Read more »