Mastava

Mastava is a traditional Uzbek soup made with rice, vegetables, and meat.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
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Fact: Mastava is traditionally cooked over an open flame to infuse the dish with a unique flavor.

Flag of Uzbekistan#40 in Uzbekistan

Basic Information

Mastava: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/mas-tah-vah/

Alternative Name(s)

Liquid pilaf

Dish Type

Soups

Course

Main course

Mealtime

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Popular Variations

No
Origin and Region

Mastava: Origin and Region

Origin

Uzbekistan

Continent’s Region

Central Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified
Uzbekistan Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Mastava: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Lamb, rice, vegetables

Main Cooking Method

Simmering

Preparation Process

Meat is seared before being cooked with vegetables and rice in a zirvak mixture
A Deep Dive

Mastava: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

A traditional Uzbek soup

Taste

Savory

Texture

Tender, soft

Aroma

Mild

Color

Usually brown

Serving Style

In bowls

Serving Temperature

Hot

Accompaniment

Flatbread

Occasions

On any occasions

Seasons

Year-round

Special Diets

Non diet-specific

Calories

Unspecified

Popularity

Uzbekistan

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Shurpa
  2. Borscht
  3. Goulash

Popular Dining Area

Households, eateries, and restaurants in Uzbekistan

Mastava is a traditional Uzbek soup prepared by combining seared lamb with vegetables like onions, carrots, and several root veggies. Interestingly, the soup is often made by frying.

Mastava Infographic

Also known as liquid pilaf, mastava introduces rice to a mixture of vegetables and meat broth. Usually, the lamb ribs of mastava are given a quick sear in a cast metal cauldron called qozon.

Additionally, people often prepare a blend of tomato and onion known as zirvak for cooking the rice and root vegetables. Once served, the soup comes with various spices, herbs, and katyk (fermented milk).

Dive into more things about mastava by learning about the method of creating this Uzbek soup and some effects that people face when eating it.

To fuel your excitement, let the answers to other readers’ inquiries satisfy your curiosity. Then, let’s explore some dishes that are similar to mastava.

Key Points

  • Mastava is a Uzbek soup made with seared lamb and vegetables.
  • It is also known as liquid pilaf.
  • It is cooked in a cast metal cauldron called qozon and a tomato and onion mixture called zirvak.

Mastava Images

How to Create Mastava?

Mastava is a brothy dish to enjoy, thus adding a valuable reason for you to know the process of materializing this dish:

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather and chop meat (usually lamb ribs), rice, vegetables like carrots and onions, and select spices.

Step 2: Sear Meat

Brown the meat in a large pot or qozon with oil to add flavor depth.

Step 3: Cook Vegetables

Sauté onions and carrots in the pot, adding other vegetables as desired.

Step 4: Add Rice and Water

Include rinsed rice and enough water to cover, adding potatoes if using.

Step 5: Season Soup

Add spices such as cumin, tarragon, and red pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 6: Simmer

Let the soup simmer until meat is tender and flavors blend.

Step 7: Final Touches

Before serving, add fresh herbs, garlic, and katyk for extra flavor.

Step 8: Serve Hot

Ensure meat, vegetables, and rice are tender; serve mastava hot, optionally with bread.

Later on, it’s essential for you to uncover the benefits and drawbacks of having mastava as a part of your next diet.

Pros and Cons of Eating Mastava

In case you want to know if mastava is suitable for your consumption, let these pros and cons features give you the perfect answer:

Pros

  • Comfort Food: As a hearty soup, it’s comforting and warming, ideal for colder weather or when in need of a fulfilling meal.
  • Adaptable: The recipe can be adapted to include different meats or vegetables, catering to various tastes and dietary restrictions.
  • Nutritional Value: Mastava is a balanced meal with protein from the meat, carbohydrates from the rice, and a variety of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables.

Cons

  • Meat-Based: As it traditionally includes meat (usually lamb), it’s not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
  • Spices and Seasoning: The unique blend of spices might not appeal to everyone’s palate, especially those who prefer milder flavors.

Next, it’s time to uncover all the concerns that people often have for mastava, giving you more understanding of the dish.

Mastava FAQs

Mastava can be healthy as it contains protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, but its health depends on the amount of oil and type of meat used.

Yes, a vegetarian version can be made by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth or water.

Yes, it reheats well on the stove or in a microwave.

It’s usually served hot in a bowl, often garnished with fresh herbs, katyk, or flatbread.

Yes, simply omit dairy-based garnishes like katyk to make it dairy-free.

Similar Dishes of Mastava

Goulash

Goulash is a hearty Hungarian meat soup or stew famous in many parts of Europe.

Borscht

Borscht is a sour soup made with meat stock and vegetables, originating in Eastern Europe and North Asia.

Shurpa

Shurpa, or shorpo, is a hearty soup consisting of meat, potatoes, and other vegetables in Central Asia.

Adam Sam

Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

  • University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
  • Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
  • Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.

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