Tsagaan Idee — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

An assortment of traditional Mongolian dairy products including clotted cream, dried curds, fresh cheese, and butter arranged on a ceremonial platter.

Ingredients

3 litres whole milk
1 cup yogurt starter
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp butter
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp sugar for some items

Instructions

1 Make orom (clotted cream): simmer milk on very low heat for hours until thick cream layer forms. Skim off.
2 Make byaslag (pressed cheese): curdle remaining milk with yogurt, strain through cheesecloth, press in mold overnight.
3 Make aaruul: take some curds, shape into small pieces, dry in sun for 2 days until hard.
4 Arrange orom in center of a large wooden platter as the crown.
5 Surround with sliced byaslag, pieces of aaruul, and pats of fresh butter.
6 Present to guests with both hands as a sign of respect. Guests must taste each item.

Did You Know?

White foods are sacred in Mongolian culture. The word Tsagaan Sar literally means White Moon, and white foods symbolize purity and fresh beginnings.