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Bastirma
Armenia
Made by Armenians across the Middle East since the Ottoman period. The Cairo bastirma made by Armenian craftsmen is legendary.
Cured pressed beef — beef coated in a fenugreek-heavy spice paste called chemen and air-dried. One of the most distinctive cured meats in the world, also beloved in Egypt.
Prep
20 mins
Cook
14 days
Difficulty
Hard
Calories
380 kcal
Serves
10
Calories are an estimate based on ingredients used
Ingredients
1kgbeef topside
100gfenugreek seeds, ground
50gpaprika
3 tbspgarlic, crushed
3 tbspallspice
saltgenerous
black pepperto coat
Method
1
Salt the beef generously. Press under a weight for 2 days.
2
Mix fenugreek, paprika, garlic, allspice and pepper. Apply thick coat to all surfaces.
3
Hang to dry in a cool, ventilated place for 10-14 days.
4
Slice paper-thin.
Chef's Tip
The fenugreek paste is the defining flavour — do not reduce its quantity.
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Some recipe photos courtesy of Openverse and Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under Creative Commons licenses.