How to Make Paya: Slow-Cooked Trotter Soup
Paya is a comforting, slow-cooked soup made from trotters (feet). It is especially popular in winter and on weekend mornings with naan. Long, gentle cooking turns the trotters soft and makes the broth rich and sticky.
Which trotters to buy
- Goat Feet (Trotters): the most traditional choice
- Lamb Feet (Trotters): similar to goat, slightly milder
- Cow Feet (Beef Trotters): larger, needs longer cooking
Trotters are usually sold cleaned. Give them a final wash at home and remove any small hairs before cooking.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 8 goat or lamb trotters (or 2 to 3 cow trotters, cut into pieces)
- 1 packet Paya Spice Mix
- 1/2 cup oil or ghee
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons ginger and garlic paste
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 10 to 12 cups water
- To serve: ginger strips, green chillies, coriander, lemon and fried onions
Method
- Brown the onions. Heat the oil and fry the onions until golden.
- Add the trotters. Add ginger and garlic paste, then the trotters. Stir for 5 minutes.
- Add masala and yogurt. Stir in the paya masala and yogurt and cook until the oil separates.
- Slow cook. Add the water, bring to a boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 6 to 8 hours (cow trotters may need longer). In a pressure cooker, cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours. The meat should come off the bone easily.
- Serve. Garnish and serve hot with naan.
Tips
- Paya thickens as it cools. Add a little hot water when reheating.
- Many families start paya the night before and let it cook slowly overnight.
Find more cuts in halal goat, halal lamb and halal beef.
Order everything you need from WeDoHalal. We bring fresh halal meat from trusted Edmonton butchers plus the spices and pantry items you need, with same-day or next-day delivery across Edmonton and nearby towns. Delivery is free on orders over $100. See our delivery areas.
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