Lebanesesyrian Fasoulia Food

LEBANESE/SYRIAN BAZELLA

Steps:

• Cut onion in to small pieces. Do not mince or chop too finely, but at the same time, do not cut or chop too coarsely. Set aside.
• Wash carrots and cut them into 1/4" thick pieces. Basically, you don't want them too thin or they will disintegrate into the broth. You can peel them if you prefer, before cutting. Set aside.
• In a large frying pan, brown the meat with some seasoning salt and pepper. Add the onion and some olive oil from the bottle. Make sure all the meat is brown. Set aside.
• In a stew pan, fry the 3 tbsp of tomato paste in the 1/4 cup olive oil for about 5-8 minutes. If it seems dry-looking, add a small amount of extra oil at a time. It should look chunky in the oil, not runny like soup. Stir constantly, it will burn very fast!
• Reduce the heat, add first 2 cups of water. Stand back, it may spit at you! Keep adding until all 6 cups have been added. Add the soup cubes. Let this boil for 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pan, making sure all of the tomato paste mixes in the water.
• Add the meat, carrots and peas. Allow to come to a boil (takes about 5 minutes) then reduce heat to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Cook until meat is tender. Cooking time depends on the quality of meat.
• Serve with Middle Eastern rice.
• Extra water may be added to counter-act any saltiness or if too much evaporated out while cooking.
• Cooking times may vary depending on stove type. Just keep on eye on it and never walk away from cooking food! Stainless steel or a non-stick pan may be used. I prefer non-stick. This may also be transferred to a large crock pot and set on low. Yield depends on how much water is allowed to boil out, but pretty much it makes a lot! Count on leftovers if you're not having people over.

LEBANESE BUTTER BEAN STEW (FASOLIA RECIPE | + VEGAN VERSION)

Steps:

• If you're using dried beans, first make sure to rinse and then leave them to soak overnight (at least 8hrs).Then, on the day of making the stew, you'll first need to prepare the beef (if using). You could also cook the vermicelli rice in advance or cook it while preparing the butter bean stew.
• Tinned beans: drain and rinse the beans well, then bring the beans to a boil with 4 cups of water in a deep pot over medium heat. Remove the white foam from the top of the beans, then add ½ tsp salt and one bay leaf. Then cover the beans loosely with a lid (to stop the beans from overflowing). Simmer for 10 minutes. Then drain and rinse once more before setting aside.Technically, the tinned beans don't need to pre-cook before being added to the main pan. I just do so for extra tender results and a little extra flavor. Alternatively, you can add the beans to the pan before adding the tomatoes to the pan and add the bay leaf and salt to the pan.Dry beans: after soaking them overnight, rinse the beans well, then add them to a deep saucepan with 6 cups of water. You can then follow the method above. However, you'll need to simmer the beans for between 20-30 minutes instead.
• Separate the cilantro leaves from the stems and finely chop the stems. Then, store the leaves back in the fridge to keep them "fresh" (we'll be using them at the end).
• Slice the garlic and, if you're using fresh tomatoes, chop roughly and add them to a blender to process into a thick "juice."
• In a large, deep pot (or Dutch oven), heat the oil. Then add the chopped garlic and sauté for just 30-40 seconds over medium heat.
• Add the tomato paste and mix in before adding the crushed coriander seeds. Stir once more, then sauté for two minutes.
• Add the chopped cilantro stems and stir before adding the tomato juice. Mix once more, then allow the mixture to simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. During this time, it should reduce and thicken slightly.
• Add the cooked beef, beef stock, and beans to the pot. Then mix well, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to simmer for a further 10 minutes.For the vegetarian butter bean stew, add vegetable stock. You may also want to introduce extra fats with the addition of an additional tablespoon of olive oil. This will create a silky-smooth fasolia with a better mouthfeel.
• Add the salt and pepper (to taste), stir, and cook for two minutes before adding the lemon juice and removing the fasolia from the heat.
• Finally, add the cilantro leaves and gently fold them into the stew. Then serve it up along the sides of your choice.
• Store: allow the fasolia to cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.Freeze: make sure to store the bean stew in an airtight container/s for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.Reheat: you can reheat the fasolia on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated throughout.

LEBANESE/SYRIAN FASOULIA

Steps:

• Brown meat in a large frying pan with some olive oil from the bottle. Add season salt if desired or use regular salt and pepper. Make sure all pieces of meat have been browned. Set aside.
• In a stew pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil and the tomato paste. Fry the tomato paste about 5-8 minutes. If it seems dry, add more oil in small amounts. It should be chunky in the oil, not runny like soup. Stir constantly! This will burn very easily.
• Turn down the heat, add 2 cups of water. Stand back, it may spit at you! Continue to add the water in 2-cup increments. Add the boullion cubes. Stir around and scrape the bottom of the pan to make sure all tomato paste is mixed in the water.
• Add the lima beans and the meat. Bring to a boil (should take about 5 minutes) then reduce to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Depending on the quality of the meat, it may take 2-4 hours for the meat to become tender.
• Add more water if too much boils out or it is too salty.
• Serve with Middle Eastern rice.
• This can be prepared in a stainless steel or non-stick pan. I prefer non-stick. Additionally, it may be transferred to a crock pot to simmer all day. Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended!

SHEIK EL MAHSHI (LAMB STUFFED IN AUBERGINES CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to gas mark 6/400F/200°C.
• Wipe clean the aubergines and leave the neck on.
• Heat some butter or oil in a frying pan and fry the aubergines until lightly browned on all sides then lift out and set aside.
• To prepare the stuffing:.
• Heat the butter in the same pan, add in the onions and fry them till brown.
• Add the minced meat, season with the spices and salt and pepper and give it a good mix.
• Fry the meat for about 10 minutes and then add in the pine nuts and remove from heat.
• Split each aubergine lengthwise from one side.
• Stuff the pockets with the meat mixture and place them in an oven proof baking dish.
• Sprinkle any remaining stuffing over the aubergines.
• To prepare the sauce, heat water in a separate pot and add in the tomato paste and bring it to a boil and season with salt and both peppers.
• Now carefully (do not want to upset the stuffing!) pour the sauce over the stuffed aubergines.
• Top each aubergine with a slice of tomato.
• Place the baking dish in the centre shelf of the pre-heated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and serve hot with rice.

LENTIL CHOWDER

Steps:

• In a crockpot combine all ingredients.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and cook on low setting of 8 to 10 hours (or on high setting for 4 to 5 hours).
• Refrigerate unused portions (tastes great reheated).
• Note: If you like a "chunkier" soup, add less water.

FASSOULIA

Steps:

• Rub the brisket with garlic, salt and pepper.
• Brown in a little oil.
• Put in water, spices and onions
• Simmer covered for 3 hours.
• Tip the string beans; add to the meat and simmer for 1/2 hour more.

DAJAJ BIL COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a large pan (large enough to hold the chicken), fry the onion and garlic in the olive oil until onion becomes soft and translucent.
• Put in the chicken and pour 4-1/2 cups of water (it won't be sufficient to cover). Add spices.
• Cover and simmer for 1 - 1-1/2 hours so chicken is so tender it's falling off the bone, turning once halfway through.
• Take out the chicken and remove skin and bones. Cut into small pieces.
• Bring the sauce to a boil and add lemon juice.
• Throw in the couscous. Cook for approximately 8 minutes (until tender). (you can add 1 cup of boiling water if necessary during this time)
• Stir in the butter and place the chicken pieces back in the pan.
• Heat through before serving.

YEMEN STYLE KIDNEY BEANS AND TOAST AKA FASOOLIA OR FOOL

Steps:

• Saute onion ,tomatoes ,garlic ,and jalapeno in 2 tbsp oil or ghee until onion is transparent and tomatoes are softened.
• Add tomato paste and stir. Add a few tbsp water and stir again being careful not to let it burn. Turn heat to low and let it simmer for a minute.
• Pour in kidney beans along with 1 cup of water and bring to a simmer.
• Add salt, pepper, and cumin.
• Simmer for 10 minutes on low.
• Add cilantro and cook until the dish thickens about another 5-10 minutes The sauce should coat the back of the spoon.
• You can crush the beans with a potato masher after step 5 if you don't like them whole. I puree in the blender before adding to the saucepan for my children because they don't like it chunky.