Tavë Kosi Baked Lamb and Yogurt
Tavë Kosi Baked Lamb and Yogurt from Albania.
Cook and rest are read from the method. Prep is estimated when the listing left it out. Optional overnight waits and leftover storage are not counted.
- Prep
- 1 min
- Cook
- 1 hr 58 min
- Rest
- 5 min
- Total
- 2 hr 4 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Baking the Lamb In a large pan (with a lid) melt the butter and olive oil together then add the diced lamb. Brown the lamb on a medium heat, this will take around 5 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, 300ml of water and season with salt and pepper. Mix well before covering with the lid.
What you'll need
12 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Baking the Lamb In a large pan (with a lid) melt the butter and olive oil together then add the diced lamb. Brown the lamb on a medium heat, this will take around 5 minutes.
5 min
Step 2
Add the garlic, oregano, 300ml of water and season with salt and pepper. Mix well before covering with the lid.
Step 3
Leave to simmer for 50 minutes mixing a couple of times ensuring the lamb doesn’t start to burn. The juices should have nearly all boiled away so another 150ml of water should be added along with the rice.
50 min
Step 4
Mix altogether, bring to the boil, place the lid on and leave for just 10 minutes. It’s advised to check at around 8 minutes – you want the liquid to be evaporated with just moist coating of oily water left over the lamb and rice.
18 min
Step 5
Place the lamb and rice into a casserole dish, the mixture should fully cover the base and have at least 2 inches spare for the yogurt. Alternatively you can split into four ceramic bowls.
Step 6
Making a Roux In a small saucepan melt the butter over a medium heat and then add two tablespoons of flour while continuously stirring for two minutes (add a little extra flour if needed). The roux should not be thick but not too runny, the colour will darken slightly.
Step 7
Pour the roux into a bowl and keep to one side. Making the Yogurt Mixture In a mixing bowl add the yogurt, eggs and season with salt and pepper.
Step 8
Mix together then add the roux continuing to mix fast for a minute to ensure the roux and yogurt are thoroughly combined. Pour the yogurt mixture over the baked lamb and rice and sprinkle on a little oregano.
1 min
Step 9
Cooking Place on the bottom shelf of the oven on 180 degrees for 35 minutes then move it up to the middle for a further 10 minutes. The Tavë kosi is ready when the yogurt has risen up high and a golden crust formed.
45 min
Step 10
Leave to cool for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
5 min
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 913 kcal
- Protein
- 55.8 g
- Carbs
- 20.8 g
- Fat
- 67.4 g
- Saturated fat
- 29.9 g
- Fibre
- 1.3 g
- Sugar
- 10.2 g
- Sodium
- 574 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Milk
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Nut-free
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 12 November.
Substitutions
butter → olive-oil
Use a little less oil than butter. Pastry and laminated doughs are a different problem.
garlic (garlic powder or a pinch of onion) → garlic powder or a pinch of onion
1 clove ≈ ¼ tsp garlic powder. The fresh bite will be missing.
flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) → a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)
Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking.
yoghurt (milk + lemon juice (buttermilk-style)) → milk + lemon juice (buttermilk-style)
250 ml milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, rest 5 minutes. High suitability for baking; not a yoghurt raita.
egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) → silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)
Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Inspired by the original
Provenance: Imported. Not developed or tested in our kitchen, so quantities and timings can be approximate. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Tavë Kosi Baked Lamb and Yogurt take?
2 hr 4 min all in — 1 min prep, 1 hr 58 min cook, 5 min rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk, Wheat, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Nut-free.
6 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Oven, Saucepan, Dutch oven, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 2 pinch.
What can I use instead?
butter → olive-oil. Use a little less oil than butter. Pastry and laminated doughs are a different problem. garlic (garlic powder or a pinch of onion) → garlic powder or a pinch of onion. 1 clove ≈ ¼ tsp garlic powder. The fresh bite will be missing. flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) → a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread). Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking. yoghurt (milk + lemon juice (buttermilk-style)) → milk + lemon juice (buttermilk-style). 250 ml milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, rest 5 minutes. High suitability for baking; not a yoghurt raita. egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) → silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish). Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.