Did you know the tradition of marriage is very important in Turkish culture? So much so, there is a soup especially dedicated to weddings! Turkish wedding soup, better known as 'dugun corbasi' (doo-OON' chor-BAH'-suh).
Don't let the name fool you. It's not fancy at all. This rich, creamy soup is actually made with only a few modest ingredients.
Lamb or mutton on the bone is slowly stewed to make a rich lamb stock . Once the lamb is separated from the bones into bite-sized pieces, the broth is thickened with flour and egg yolk and seasoned with lemon and spices. The result is a simple, satisfying soup with a pronounced lamb flavor that's a must at every wedding.
The soup's magic comes from the tradition surrounding the wedding moreso than from the ingredients and presentation. In rural areas of Anatolia, weddings often last for days. Several families or even villages will come together to celebrate the union of a new bride and groom.
The ladies of the hosting families have the duty of feeding all the well-wishers that attend. That's why wedding soup has become a staple. It's ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find. It can be prepared in large pots over an open fire and ladled out to hundreds.
Turkish wedding soup can be time consuming to prepare, but it's said everyone has to try it at least once in their lifetime, just like marriage itself! Try this easy recipe for authentic Turkish wedding soup at home.
photo © Elizabeth Taviloglu, 2013