Mastava Base (Uzbek Rice-Vegetable Soup Base)

Origin: Uzbekistan. A tomato-based broth thickened with rice and vegetables (carrot, potato), essentially a lighter, soupier cousin of plov, cooked as a single simmered pot rather than the layered zirvak-then-rice technique.

Flavor Profile: Savory and mildly tangy from tomato, lighter and brothier than plov.

Culinary Uses: Base and finished form of mastava soup, a common everyday alternative to full plov.

Regional Variations: Meat-free versions exist for lighter meals; some households add a dollop of qatiq or yogurt at serving.

Storage: Refrigerate 3–4 days; freezes reasonably well though the rice continues to absorb liquid over time.