Persian Wedding Soup

An exquisite Persian lamb soup thickened with egg yolks and lemon juice, garnished with paprika butter — traditionally served at celebrations.

PersianLambIntermediate110 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
6
  • 1 lb boneless lamb stew meat
  • 1 lb lamb soup bones
  • 8 cup water
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 1 carrot, quartered
  • 0.3 cup butter
  • 0.5 cup flour
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (or more to taste)
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place lamb meat and soup bones in a large pot with water, onion, and carrot. Bring to a slow simmer, skimming when necessary. Add salt and pepper, cover, and simmer gently for 1½ hours until lamb is tender.

  2. 2

    Remove bones and discard. Lift out meat and cut into small pieces. Strain stock, return to pot, and let simmer gently.

  3. 3

    In a large pan, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook gently for 2 minutes without browning. Gradually add the hot stock, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbling.

  4. 4

    Beat egg yolks in a bowl and gradually add lemon juice. Gradually beat in about 2 cups of thickened stock, then pour into soup. Stir over gentle heat and return lamb pieces to soup. Heat gently, stirring, until egg is cooked. Adjust lemon and salt.

  5. 5

    Combine melted butter and paprika. Serve soup in deep bowls and pour a little butter-paprika mixture into the center of each as garnish.

Tags

soupelegantlemonamericanpersianlambcelebration