North African Bean Stew With Barley And Winter Squash Food

NORTH AFRICAN BEAN STEW WITH BARLEY AND WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and cook leeks until they begin to brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Finely chop cilantro stems. Stir into pot, along with diced fennel and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in baharat, cinnamon and tomato paste, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in broth, 3 cups water, the barley and the salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir in saffron, if using, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Stir in beans, squash, turnip and lentils; cook until barley is tender, about another 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick.
• Ladle stew into bowls. Spoon a dollop of yogurt on top and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with cilantro leaves, fennel fronds and Aleppo pepper or paprika.

NORTH CROATIAN BEANS AND PEAR BARLEY STEW (RICHET)

Steps:

• Day before soak beans in cold water.
• On D-day change the water and cook beans until almost done.
• Finely slice garlic and bacon and put it in a pot. Melt lard and fry flour until brownish together with garlic and bacon.
• Add paprika and cold water to make creamy mixture.
• Wash barley and add into the pot together with drained beans.
• Add bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and cook for 30 more minutes or until beans and buckwheat are soft.
• This meal must be almost like thick soup and not too hot.

BEAN AND BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• Soak dry pinto beans in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the beans.
• Soak pearled barley in plenty of water overnight. Drain and rinse the barley. Cook al dente in a double amount of water. Drain and set aside.
• In a large pot sauté onions and garlic in sunflower oil for 5 minutes until soft, stirring frequently. Add diced smoked pork neck, stir and sauté for 5 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a mirepoix (soffritto or Holy trinity) from carrot, celery and parsley root and red horn pepper: cut the root vegetables into smaller pieces and coarsely chop in a blender. Add horn pepper chunks and pulse once or twice.
• Add mirepoix to onions and smoked meat, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add beans, bay and celery leaf, water, and salt and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat, cover the pot and continue to cook for 25 - 30 minutes.
• Stir in cooked barley, continue to cook for 5 minutes or until the beans are cooked (al dente).
• Season with ground black pepper and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN BEAN STEW WITH BARLEY (OR FARRO) AND WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Finely chop cilantro stems. Stir into pot, along with diced fennel and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in baharat, cinnamon and tomato paste, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, 3 cups water, the barley and the salt. Bring to a gentle boil, stir in saffron, if using, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Stir in beans, squash, turnip and lentils; cook until barley is tender, about another 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired. Remove cinnamon stick. Ladle stew into bowls. Spoon a dollop of yogurt on top and drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with cilantro leaves, fennel fronds and Aleppo pepper or paprika. Tip Baharat is a Middle Eastern spice mix. You can buy it at specialty markets or make your own. To make it, combine 2 tablespoons sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground turmeric, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom and 1 teaspoon allspice.