Stirring Yogurt and Water

[Petek]

I recently bought a cookbook of Turkish recipes (The Turkish Cookbook by Musa Dagdeviren). While browsing through the book, I came across a recipe for Lamb and Garlic Stew. Two of the ingredients are 300 grams of strained Greek yogurt and 500 ml water. The instructions state "In a small saucepan over medium heat, mix the strained yogurt with 500 ml ... water and bring to a boil, stirring in one direction only." (Emphasis added)

What is the reason for stirring in one direction only? Perhaps to avoid scorching the mixture?

 

[Andy M.]

I can't imagine! I could be wrong, but it sounds like an old wives tale.

 

[karadekoolaid]

Sounds like someone is trying to create a stir.
The only conceivable thing that might make sense is to avoid the yoghurt/water mixture from curdling.
However, I´ve mixed the two together hundreds of times in Indian cooking, and nothing has ever happened, UNLESS the water is too hot.

 

[taxlady]

I can't imagine! I could be wrong, but it sounds like an old wives tale.

That's what it sounds like to me too.

 

[HeyItsSara]

i don't know but the smell!!!!!

 

[dragnlaw]

Most asian recipes I've read all say to stir in one direction only. Never have figured out why.

First time I saw it was for mixing uip the ingredients for pork and shrimp Won Tons.

 

[Petek]

Thanks for all the replies. Out of curiosity, I Googled the phrase stir in one direction. Found lots of possible answers about the meaning of this instruction. About half were similar to "old wives tale/folklore." Also mentioned were

⦁ Encourages thorough mixing
⦁ Discourages overmixing
⦁ Prevents breaking the structure of a sauce
⦁ Aligns the strands of a sauce
⦁ Prevents curdling
⦁ Prevents frothing
⦁ Creates a laminar flow instead of turbulent flow

(not all of which are consistent or meaningful).

 

[dragnlaw]

LOL, thanks Petek. I like the first one. "Encourages thorough mixing."

I've even seen/heard them say it in videos, so along with the fact they are generally using chop sticks to do the stirring, it certainly makes sense to me!