Order nomadic tours online at: http://silkroadexplore.com Kyrgyzstan is an ancient Central Asian country with ties to the Silk Road and nomadic traditions. The traditional foods of the Kyrgyz Republic were born out of the ancient Kyrgyz way of life. The people of Kyrgyzstan were nomads that primarily raised cows, sheep, and goats, so much of the cuisine reflects this by being heavily meat based. Spices aren't used much so as to not detract from the natural flavor of the meat and the most popular meats used to cook with are mutton and beef. Since Islam has influenced the country greatly, meat is prepared in a way that meets the standards of the Islamic faith. This includes killing the animal swiftly and draining the meat of blood. When meat is prepared this way, it is deemed "halal." However, meat isn't the only thing on a Kyrgyz menu. Kyrgyz people are masters when it comes to making homemade breads and pastries. Lipyoshka and borsok are two popular foods in the Kyrgyz Republic. Lipyoska is a circular loaf of bread baked in a large, outdoor clay oven topped with sesame seeds and sometimes onion. No special occasion is needed to indulge in a nice, fresh lipyoshka. Borsok is thinly rolled dough cut into small squares and then fried. They end up puffy and can vary in sweetness depending on the tastes of the cook. People often serve borsok when celebrating holidays. Meat and bread are also accompanied by a variety of organic vegetables, dairy products, and starches. Much of the produce grown inside the country is done so without the aid of chemicals, making Kyrgyz dishes very healthy. Nomadic people also make homemade cream and butter to be served during a meal. Therefore, Kyrgyz chefs and family cooks usually create their menus using organic food, halal meat, a variety of dairy products, and rice, pasta, or potatoes. Food is Kyrgyzstan is not only tasty, but extremely affordable. People looking for a low cost vacation on the Silk Road will appreciate the prices of this Central Asian country along with the variety of flavors it offers.

• published: 19 Feb 2014
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