Persian Lamb Vegetable Khoreshe Food

KHORESH-E BADEMJOON (PERSIAN LAMB, EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, season lamb with turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Peel the eggplants but leave the green skin on the stem end intact. Trim the tips of the stems and make an incomplete lengthwise cut in each eggplant from the bottom, leaving both halves attached at the stem. Place eggplants in a colander set inside a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, set a large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot, add 3 tablespoons oil. When the oil shimmers, add onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened and browned, 16 to 18 minutes.
• Add the meat and cook, turning regularly, until it browns evenly on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Add 4 cups water and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
• In the meantime, rinse the eggplants, dry thoroughly and set aside. Remove stems and halve tomatoes through their cores and set aside. Line a baking sheet with two layers of paper towels and set aside.
• Set a large frying pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add 1/4 cup oil and carefully lay eggplants in the pan in a single layer. It's crucial to leave space between each eggplant for steam to escape, so brown in batches if necessary. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, turning regularly, until eggplants are browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove browned eggplants to lined baking sheet and allow to drain.
• Use the same pan to brown tomatoes, cut-side down, in remaining 2 tablespoons oil for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook tomatoes on skin side until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to lined baking sheet.
• Once the meat has cooked for 1 hour, stir in the tomato paste, saffron and 1/4 cup lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Carefully arrange the browned eggplants and tomatoes atop the stew and then sprinkle on the young grapes. Allow the stew to come to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, uncovered, until meat is falling apart and stew is thick and unctuous, about 1 hour. Without jostling the eggplants too much, taste a spoonful or two of the stew. It should be pleasantly tart, so adjust the seasoning with salt and lime juice as needed.
• Serve hot, with Persian rice and mast-o khiar, as well as pickles, fresh herbs, scallions and radishes, if desired.

KHORESH RIVAS (PERSIAN RHUBARB STEW WITH MEAT)

Steps:

• Chop up the rhubarb into 2.5cm (1") long stalks.
• Dice the meat into bite size pieces if not done so already.
• Chop the onions, not too finely.
• Chop up the parsley and mint, these don't have to be done finely, as they'll be cooked down.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Fry the onions for 3 minutes until they soften.
• Add the turmeric, stir, then add the meat. Increase the heat to high and stir to mix.
• Add 1 Tbsp of the sugar, stir, then fry the meat for 2 minutes on this high heat.
• Add the water or stock, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat down to its lowest setting, cover and simmer for 1 hour, until the meat is done, but not falling apart, as we still have another 30 minutes or so of cooking time. Depending on your meat cut, this may be at the 90 minute mark, as some cuts will take longer to cook. It does also depend on how large your meat pieces are.
• At the end of 1 hour, tip in the chopped parsley and mint and cover once again and leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
• At the end of the 15 minutes, heat the 3rd Tbsp of oil in large frying pan on high heat and sauté the rhubarb for 1 minute, shaking the pan and flipping the rhubarb.
• Then, tip this rhubarb into the stew, cover, and leave to cook for 10 minutes, still on low heat. You can cook it until the rhubarb has all broken down, or stop before that stage. What I do, is fish out about 6-8 pieces, and leave the rest to fall apart in the stew, adding to the texture. Then I add the pieces back and serve.
• Taste the stew before turning the heat off. Add the second Tbsp of sugar if you would like it less sour, even more if you prefer it the tartness tampered down. That's it, serve with rice.

KHORESH-E GHORMEH SABZI (PERSIAN HERB, BEAN AND LAMB STEW)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, season the meat with turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Rinse the beans and place in a medium bowl with 1 cup water and a generous pinch of salt. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, place a large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons oil. When it shimmers, add meat and cook, turning regularly so that it browns evenly on all sides, about 15 minutes. Once the meat has browned, move it to the edges of the pot and add the onion to the center of the pot, along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring regularly, until the onion begins to soften and turn brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Drain the beans and add to the pot, stirring to combine everything and coat the beans with oil. Add 4 cups water, increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and simmer for 2 hours.
• In the meantime, prepare the herbs: Wash parsley and cilantro, then use a salad spinner to dry very well. Remove and discard the tough stems. Chop the leaves and tender stems very, very finely, or feel free to use a food processor to get these herbs as finely chopped as possible. The more finely chopped the herbs, the more green and unctuous the ghormeh sabzi will be.
• Separately chop the chives and entire bunch of scallions (including the green tops) as finely as possible by hand. These, too, must be very finely chopped - nearly minced - but they will turn to mush in a food processor and thus should be chopped by hand.
• Set a large frying pan over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the remaining 1/4 cup oil and the scallion-chive mixture. Allow to wilt, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes, then add remaining chopped herbs and fenugreek leaves, crushing the fenugreek leaves between your fingers as you add them. Cook, stirring continuously, until the herbs are wilted and very dark green - but not burned - and they give off a bright green oil when pressed with a spoon, 18 to 20 minutes. This step is crucial to the flavor and color of the stew. You'll know the herbs are ready when they feel dry and emit a strong, savory aroma.
• When the meat has cooked for 2 hours, add the cooked herb mixture, Omani limes and 1/2 cup water. Season with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer for another hour. Check on the limes occasionally to make sure they are submerged in the stew but not falling apart. Gently push them into the stew if they're still floating after 20 minutes.
• As the stew nears the 3-hour mark, remove the lid and check the meat; it should be very tender. If the ghormeh sabzi seems a little watery, leave it uncovered for the last 20 minutes of cooking and allow to reduce into a thick stew. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. If the stew needs a little acidity, juice a lime into the stew through a sieve by pressing down on it with a spoon (avoid letting the seeds through the sieve, as they can be bitter). Set aside. Taste the stew and continue adding more lime juice until the stew is sufficiently tangy. Stir in the saffron. The stew should be a very deep, dark shade of green and quite thick when done. Return dried limes into the stew to serve.
• Serve hot with Persian rice and mast-o khiar.

TRADITIONAL PERSIAN KHORESHT BADEMJAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F. Prepare all ingredients ahead of time.
• Peel eggplants and slice lengthwise 1/2-inch thick. Place eggplant in a colander and sprinkle both sides with salt to remove the bitter taste. Set aside for 20 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick skillet on high for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons oil and heat for 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium. Add onions and garlic, sautéing for 3 minutes before adding chicken. Sauté 5 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned on both sides.
• Sprinkle turmeric, saffron water, salt, and pepper over chicken. Stir to combine and sauté for 1 minute.
• Add 1 cup warm water, tomato sauce, lime juice, and dried lemon powder. Stir, cover, and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat egg whites until fluffy. Set aside.
• Rinse eggplant slices and pat dry. Heat a large skillet over high heat for 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons oil, reduce heat to medium and heat oil for 30 seconds.
• In batches, brush eggplant with egg whites on both sides. Gently lay eggplant in the oil in a single layer. Brown eggplant on both sides until lightly golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside on paper towel. Add more oil as needed.
• Heat a medium sauté pan over high heat for 1 minute. Add 2 tablespoons oil, heating for 30 seconds. Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to an ovenproof casserole. Arrange eggplant, onions and grape tomatoes on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
• Serve over saffron basmati rice.

KHORESHT KARAFS - PERSIAN CELERY STEW

Steps:

• In a dutch oven (or large pot) saute the onion, green onions, and garlic in 4 tablespoons of olive oil until translucent.
• Add the lamb and brown a little, then add turmeric. Give the ingredients a few stirs so the spices release their flavors. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prick the Persian lemons with a fork and add them to the pot.
• Add three cups of water to your pot. Cover and cook over medium heat for one hour.
• In a separate pan, add one tablespoon olive oil. Add celery and give it a quick saute.
• After the hour of cooking in the dutch oven or pot, add the celery to it.
• Add chopped herbs, advieh, 2 cups water, and adjust seasonings. Cover and cook on medium for 1 1/2 hours.
• When done, the khoresht should lose its bright green color and your kitchen should be filled with a lovely smell.
• Serve with basmati rice.

PERSIAN LAMB-VEGETABLE KHORESHE

Steps:

• Slice the unpeeled eggplant and sprinkle with salt; place in a colander to drain for 25-30 minutes.
• Pat eggplant dry and set aside.
• Heat 2 tbsp.
• olive oil in large saute pan; saute egplant until tender.
• Add a little oil as needed to prevent sticking.
• In large kettle, heat 2 tbsp.
• olive oil; add onions and saute until tender.
• Add lamb cubes, browning on all sides.
• Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then add eggplant, tomatoes, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper; add 1/2 cup water.
• Simmer for 1 hour, or until meat is tender.
• Serve over chelo, or steamed basmati rice.
• Lemon wedges also make a good condiment.