China, Xinjiang

Xinjiang is located on the northwest part of China which has 47 ethnic minorities and it takes 60% of the total population. Each ethnic group in Xinjiang has their own way of cooking and eating methods. Among of 47 ethnic minorities, Uygur is the major native ethnic living in Xinjiang. They are different from the traditional Chinese culture, the Uygur have their own language, traditional cloth and their belief, Islam.

Due to the religious dietary rules and restrictions, Uygur food is predominantly Halal and they are mainly based on Lamb, beef, chicken,

diary, wheat flour, and fruits.

Food that are popular among the Uygur's are: 

Nan

Samsa(Rosted Stuffed Bun)

Polo(Lamb pilaf)

Spicy cumin lamb skewers

Nan(Uygur troditional bread)

This is a daily food that Uygur culture cannot live without. Nang is usually roasted in a special oven which is made of mud and earth otherwise can be an electrical oven. A cooked Nang is gold yellow colour should be crispy and tasty. It is easily portable and it keeps well. it can be served with traditional home made Uygur milk tea as breakfast.

.http://ediblyasian.info/recipes/category/Xinjiang

Sama: Roasted Stuffed Buns is another staple food for Uygurs. The stuffing of the buns is a combination of chopped lamb,and sheep's-tail fat. Then add chopped onions, salt and cumin(Cumin is one of the Uygur's favourite spices and they use it in almost every meat dish.)Seal the stuffing in dough square, and put in an oven to roast for 10 - 20 minutes. The buns are thin-skinned, with tender meat stuffing and very delicious.