Yatimcheh (Little Orphan) - literally means little orphan. In original recipe there is no meat in the ingredients, but today in some Family recipes, it has meat. This is a traditional meals in Iran, and from one region to another region, ingredients might be different but the dish is called Yatimcheh‘ or little orphan.
Yatimcheh (Lamb Meatballs and Potatoes) translates to “little orphan”. In the original recipe, there is no meat among the ingredients. Today, in some of the Family recipes, it has meat. This is a traditional meal in Iran. From one region to region, ingredients might be different. But it is known as Yatimcheh or Little Orphan all over Iran.
This is a recipe recreation from my fellow blogger and friend, Rozina, from Rozina’s Persian Kitchen. On her blog, she will be recreating my recipe for Cincinnati Chili and this is my take on her family recipe for Yatimcheh.
About Rozina
Rozina is Iranian but is now living in Scotland with her husband. She is passionate about her cooking and tells the story behind the meal and how to pronounce the Iranian name.
Her recipes are in Farsi and English along with step-by-step photos of preparation. She takes all of her pictures. Rozina learned traditional Persian and Azerbaijani recipes from her mother, and she has learned from her mother.
Yatimcheh (Little Orphan) – literally means little orphan. In original recipe there is no meat in the ingredients, but today in some Family recipes, it has meat. This is a traditional meals in Iran, and from one region to another region, ingredients might be different but the dish is called Yatimcheh‘ or little orphan.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Active Time45 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, One Pot, Stew
Cuisine: Iranian, Middle Eastern
Keyword: One Pot, Stew, Yatimcheh
Yield: 4people
Calories: 644kcal
Materials
1tbspvegetable oil
1shallot diced
1tsporegano
1lemonzest of
1lbground lamb
3tomatoeschopped
1/2lbred potatoescut in half
2onions chopped
4clovesof garlicminced
1tbsptomato paste
1tspturmeric
Salt & pepper to taste
Naan or pita bread
Instructions
Heat one tsp of oil, and fry Shallots (for the meatballs).
To make the meatballs, season ground meat with salt and pepper in a bowl
Add cooked shallots, oregano and lemon zest
Mix well and shape mixture into golf ball sized meatballs.
In a frying pan, heat 1 tsp of oil
Add potatoes, fry until golden brown, remove fried potatoes and set aside, about 5 minutes
Add I tsp more oil into the same pan and sauté diced onions and garlic until transparent and soft, and set aside.
Heat the same pan and fry meat balls until brown, but not cooked thru
In a bowl with 1.3 cups boiled water add tomato paste, turmeric powder, salt and pepper, and mix all ingredients well.
Add cooked potatoes, onions/garlic mixture, chopped tomatoes, and meatballs in a larger pot.
Pour prepared liquid on it. and gently give a stir.
Yatimcheh is one of those dishes that has its recipe in every city. In Shiraz instead of eggplant they use, Zucchini, and the Azeri people make it with beans and lentils. In some of the Yatimcheh recipes, the people make it with potatoes. In Kashan, they use “Dordeh” instead of Butter. “Dordeh” is one kind of oil that is formed from the melted butter in the bottom of a pan and some in Iran think that it is more delicious than the butter. Yatimcheh is a high-fiber food as well as tasty and interesting.
I grew up in a restaurant family. We love to cook and be creative, and cooking in many ways is the most creative thing I do. I started this blog to share our creations and inspire novice cooks out there to have fun in the kitchen, and maybe even learn something along the way.
It was fantastic. Thanks Rozina!
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