Tasting local cuisine during a trip is a perfect way to learn about local culture and customs. In Kirghizistan, cuisine is based on meat, usually mutton or beef, accompanied by pasta, potatoes or rice. Gulchatai is a typically Kyrgyz dish that locals adore, especially in winter. Spiced meat and vegetable broth, accompanied by homemade pasta, it resembles lagman. Nazira from Kyrgyz What shares her recipe, easy to make and ideal for a family meal:

Ingredients:

300 grams of flour

Salt

Water

300 grams of meat (mutton or beef)

1 carrot

1 onion

1 garlic clove

2 potatoes

1 red bell pepper

Recipe:

Step 1: Make the dough

In a bowl, mix 250-300g of flour with water until you get a dough. Add a pinch of salt. Work the dough with your hands, then let it rest.

Step 2: Cook the meat

Rinse the meat and place it in a pot filled with water. Bring to a boil. The best way is to add the meat whole, with bones, to get a delicious broth. Let it cook for about an hour. Remove the foam to get a clear broth.

Step 3: Prepare the vegetables

While the meat is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Peel them and cut them into small cubes or strips. Sauté the vegetables in oil in a pan to brown them.

Step 4: Cut the meat and add the vegetables

Once the meat has boiled, remove it and cut it into small cubes. Put it back in the broth and add the vegetables and potatoes. Add salt, spices and tomato sauce. Let it simmer for about thirty minutes.

Step 5: Cut the dough

In the meantime, prepare the dough. Roll it out with a rolling pin until you get a thin dough. Add a little flour if it sticks. Cut it into large square pieces.

Step 6: The finishing touch

Add the dough to the broth and let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. It's ready!

Note: in the traditional recipe, Kyrgyz people generally brown the meat in oil with vegetables, adding a little water. The dish is served without broth, or with the broth served separately.