Recently we were enjoying the last days of blue skies and walking on mostly dry pavement .  These are monumentalized Khan elders

 

A last trip to the bazaar before we are in the full grip of winter.

Friends Aihanim and Magi came over yesterday  to cook Beshbarmak, a traditional Kazakh dish.  Wikipedia notes " Beshbarmak means 'five fingers', because the dish is eaten with one's hands. The boiled meat is usually diced with knives, often mixed with boiled noodles, and spiced with onion sauce. It is usually served in a big round dish. Treating to beshbarmak is accompanied with an original ritual. The meat itself is served in large pieces. Beshbarmak is usually served with shorpo – mutton broth in bowls called kese."

It begins with a pot of boiling horsemeat, ram ribs and a large horsemeat sausage.

After boiling for 3 1/2 hours, the meat is done.  Next, the meat is sliced and  large, square noodles are simmered in the broth.

Aisha, another friend, was able to join us for the finishing touches.    The food filled three platters!

Proud Cooks.

Our four elders and sisters joined us for dinner.  In keeping with tradition we ate our feast with our hands and drank broth from small bowls.  We were informed that the hot broth prevents the fat from congealing in our systems.   It was a novel dining experience for us!