Iranian Lamb Or Beef Khoresht E Karaf Recipes

KHORESH KARAFS (PERSIAN CELERY STEW WITH LAMB)

Steps:

• Trim or break off thicker parts of the parsley stems and pull mint sprigs and larger leaves from their stems. Discard stems or reserve for another use. Pluck a small handful of leaves and tender sprigs from parsley and mint and set aside for garnish. Chop remaining herbs.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium-high. Season lamb with turmeric, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add lamb, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions start to caramelize and lamb is evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Add 2 cups water, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
• While the lamb simmers, cook the celery: In a skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil with the butter over medium-high. Once butter foams, add celery, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add chopped parsley and mint, and cook, stirring occasionally, until celery just starts to caramelize, about 8 minutes.
• Add celery and herbs to the Dutch oven, along with lemon juice, lime juice and saffron. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar, and simmer on low heat until lamb is tender, about 30 minutes.
• While stew cooks, make the fried shallots, if desired: Line a small plate with a paper towel. In a small bowl, sprinkle flour over sliced shallots and toss with a fork. Heat canola oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-high until it shimmers slightly, about 1 minute. Fry shallots in oil, flipping once or twice so they cook evenly, until golden brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oil with a fork, season with a pinch of salt and let drain on paper towel-lined plate until stew is ready.
• Taste stew. Broth should be tart, but balanced. Celery and lamb should be tender but hold their shape. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with reserved herbs and fried shallots. Serve with chelo (Persian-style steamed rice) or buttered, steamed white rice. Stew can be made up to 2 days in advance.

IRANIAN LAMB OR BEEF (KHORESHT-E KARAF)

Steps:

• Directions:.
• Peel and thinly slice onions. Fry in oil until slightly golden. Wash and cut meat into small pieces and fry in onions with 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until color changes. Add 2-3 glasses of hot water and bring to boil. Cook over medium heat for about 45 minutes, adding more hot water during cooking if needed.
• Wash celery and cut into 3 cm pieces. Finely chop mint and parsley and fry slightly in oil. Add celery, mint, parsley, salt to the meat and continue cooking for about 20 minutes (celery should not become too soft).
• Khoresht Karafs can be made without mint and parsley or you can use 2 teaspoon of dry mint.
• Add lime juice and sugar to taste and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Taste the juice and make adjustments as desired. Serve Khoresht Karafs with plain rice (Polow or Chelow).

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.

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.