Go Back
+ servings

Zhizhig Galnash (Chechen Beef and Dumplings)

Tender beef and vegetables with handmade dumplings and garlic sauce
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 lbs cross cut beef shanks or 4 lbs chuck roast + 2 lbs beef bones
  • 3/4 tbsp kosher salt give or take
  • 4 medium carrots quartered
  • 1 bag small yukon gold potatoes or 3 medium
  • 10 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 1/2 cups AP flour

Instructions
 

  • To a large stock pot add the beef, bones, 3/4 tbsp salt and 4 quarts of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a strong simmer and skim off the foam.
  • Cook until the broth has about 1/2 the initial volume and the meat is tender and flakes apart, about 3 hours. Using a strainer spoon, remove the beef from the broth and shred it once it is cool enough to handle. Drizzle with a little broth to keep it moist, cover and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix the flour and 1 cup of the broth to form a shaggy dough. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding a bit more water or flour to get a good consistency. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Add the carrots, potatoes, and additional salt if needed. If they are not fully covered add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 25 minutes until tender.
  • While the vegetables are cooking, make the dumplings. I found it best to watch a video online for the shaping of these, but here are the instructions too. Quarter the ball of dough and then halve each quarter to get 8. Roll each piece into a 1/2 inch thick rope. Cut each rope into 1 inch pieces.
  • Using your three middle fingers, press one of the pieces and drag the pasta towards you to make sort of shell shape. Place on a lightly floured baking sheet. Finish all the pieces.
  • Add the beef back in, bring to a boil and then transfer meat and vegetables to a bowl and cover with foil. In a small bowl, use a fork to mash 1 quarter of a medium potato or one of the small potatoes. Add the garlic and 1 1/2 cups of the hot broth. Season with salt. Set aside.
  • Bring broth to boil and add the dumplings, stirring so they don't stick. Cook for about 8-10 minutes until tender. Arrange the beef, vegetables and bowl of sauce on a large platter. Drain the dumplings and add to the platter and pour a little broth over everything , just to moisten, it shouldn't be a soup.
  • Serve with extra broth along side for moistening further while eating. Enjoy!
Keyword Beef, Main Dish, Pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!