This hearty Kazakh stew is pure comfort in a pot. Tender beef simmers with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers until everything turns silky and rich, then flat square beshbarmak noodles are laid right on top to steam through in the savory broth. If you love slow-simmered beef dishes like our Mastava – Hearty Beef and Rice Soup or Beef Rolls with Vegetables and Potatoes, this easy one-pot zhappasai deserves a spot in your weeknight rotation.
Ingredients
- Beef, cut into cubes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, sliced
- Tomato paste
- Beshbarmak noodles (flat square noodles)
- Garlic, minced
- Potatoes, cubed
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- Celery, chopped
- Salt, pepper, paprika, and coriander, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a heavy pot until the liquid evaporates. Add the onion and garlic and fry for 5–7 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrot and fry for 5–7 minutes. Add the bell pepper and celery and fry 3 minutes more.
- Stir in the tomato paste and spices, cover with water, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Lay the beshbarmak noodles on top, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
Tips
- Cut the beef into even cubes so it browns evenly and turns tender at the same rate.
- Lay the noodles in a single layer on top and resist the urge to stir — they steam through perfectly under the lid.
- Pair it with a savory pastry like our Shortcrust Samsa with Beef. For more one-pot dinner inspiration, browse the ideas at allrecipes.com.
Nutrition: per 100 g — 85 kcal, protein 4.6 g, fat 3.8 g, carbs 8.5 g. Values are estimates; see usda.gov for official reference data.