Auntie Eman has a quiet magic when it comes to lentils. I remember the day she made this stew — it was just one of three dishes she created from the same pot of lentils. Out of that humble pot came this creamy lentil and yogurt stew, a simple lentil and rice dish, and a hearty lentil and bread stew.

If you’ve never had lamb in yogurt before, you’re in for something truly unique. This dish is a beloved staple across many Middle Eastern kitchens—known by different names depending on the region—but always centered around the same idea: tender meat gently folded into a silky, tangy yogurt sauce that’s both nourishing and deeply comforting.