**Khoresht-e-karaf**, a delectable Iranian stew, is a harmonious blend of tender lamb or beef, caramelized onions, dried limes, and a symphony of aromatic spices. This traditional Persian dish, hailing from the vibrant city of Isfahan, captivates the senses with its rich, tangy, and subtly sweet flavor profile. Alongside the classic lamb or beef version, this article presents two additional variations: a succulent chicken rendition and a vegan-friendly lentil iteration, ensuring that every palate can savor the delights of this culinary gem.
**Classic Lamb or Beef Khoresht-e-Karaf:**
This quintessential recipe showcases the harmonious union of lamb or beef, caramelized onions, and dried limes, simmered in a fragrant broth infused with the essence of saffron, turmeric, and a chorus of aromatic spices.
**Chicken Khoresht-e-Karaf:**
For those who prefer poultry, this variation offers a lighter yet equally flavorful experience. Tender chicken pieces replace the lamb or beef, creating a succulent and satisfying stew that retains the essence of the classic dish.
**Vegan Lentil Khoresht-e-Karaf:**
This plant-based rendition caters to vegan and vegetarian preferences, showcasing the versatility of this beloved stew. Lentils take center stage, absorbing the rich flavors of caramelized onions, dried limes, and aromatic spices, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal.
Each recipe is meticulously explained with step-by-step instructions, ensuring that home cooks of all skill levels can recreate this culinary masterpiece in their own kitchens. Detailed ingredient lists, precise cooking times, and helpful tips provide a comprehensive guide for a successful and enjoyable cooking experience.
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Persia with this collection of Khoresht-e-karaf recipes. Savor the rich flavors, vibrant colors, and enticing aromas that define this beloved Iranian stew. Whether you prefer the classic lamb or beef version, the succulent chicken variation, or the hearty vegan lentil rendition, these recipes promise an authentic taste of Iranian hospitality and culinary excellence.
PERSIAN CELERY STEW WITH MUSHROOMS (KHORESH-E KARAFS)
This braise is traditionally made with lamb, but has been replaced here with cremini mushrooms to create a vegetarian version.
Provided by Najmieh Batmanglij
Categories Dinner Stew Celery Mushroom Vegetarian Vegan Spring Winter Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free Dairy Free Tree Nut Free
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, garlic, and jalapeño and sauté for 10 minutes. Add the salt and pepper, and give it a stir.
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the saffron, lime juice, parsley, mint, and fenugreek, and give it a stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for another 5 minutes or until the celery is tender.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and keep warm until ready to serve.
IRANIAN LAMB OR BEEF (KHORESHT-E KARAF)
Make and share this Iranian Lamb or Beef (Khoresht-E Karaf) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by colonialboy76
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
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).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 709.7, Fat 51, SaturatedFat 13.2, Cholesterol 122.4, Sodium 593.4, Carbohydrate 28.5, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 15.4, Protein 36.2
KHORESH KARAFS (PERSIAN CELERY STEW WITH LAMB)
Most types of Iranian stew, known as khoresh or sometimes spelled khoresht, take hours to prepare and yet more hours to cook. Not this one. Karafs means celery, so here a whole head of crunchy, pale green stalks and two bunches of herbs simmer alongside lamb (or beef) for just under an hour. The sweet flavor of caramelized onions provides the base note to a funky green broth tarted up with lime and lemon. Seasoned with turmeric and saffron, the stew takes on a golden hue. A shallot, sliced and fried until crisp, makes a fine garnish, but is optional. Not optional: a side of buttery steamed rice.
Provided by Daniela Galarza
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
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.
LULEH KEBABS- PERSIAN GROUND LAMB KEBABS
Make and share this Luleh Kebabs- Persian Ground Lamb Kebabs recipe from Food.com.
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 27m
Yield 3-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Soak wooden skewers in warm water for 20-30 minutes prior to preparing food.
- Place meat in a large bowl; add the onion, egg, salt, pepper, and cinnamon.
- Beat with a spoon until well mixed and the meat turns lighter in color.
- Take a handful of the mixture and form it around the skewer to approximately 6" long and 1" in diameter to make an elongated patty (it helps to oil hands, and lay out some wax paper to work on). If your meat is too wet to work with, as sometimes happens with too much onion or wet meat, it can help to just shape the kebabs on a piece of non-stick foil and grill them that way, on the foil, turning the kebab over as it cooks and comes together.
- Set kebabs aside on wax paper on another plate until ready to grill.
- Grill kebabs over hot coals or under broiler until cooked through, turning once.
- Serve with lemon wedges, and chelou (rice) with a sprinkling of sumak seasoning (optional).
KHORESH-E GHORMEH SABZI (PERSIAN HERB, BEAN AND LAMB STEW)
There are three essential elements to this khoresh, or stew, which is often called Iran's national dish. First, the sweet, pungent flavor of dried or fresh fenugreek leaves defines the stew, which simply isn't the same without it. Likewise, Omani limes (also known as dried Persian limes) add a distinct aged sourness that is vital to the dish. Finally, the classic Persian technique of sautéing a mountain of finely minced herbs lends character and complexity to the foundation of the stew. Don't be afraid to really cook down the herbs until quite dark and dry; this step is essential to concentrate their flavor.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories meat, soups and stews, main course
Time 4h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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
A heart and delicious Iranian stew made with celery and lamb. This is easily transformed into a vegetarian dish by omitting the lamb. If you are not fond of lamb, beef is another option, which my Iranian grandmother favors. From My Persian Kitchen.
Provided by Barbell Bunny
Categories Vegetable
Time 2h40m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 251.5, Fat 19.1, SaturatedFat 4.7, Cholesterol 40, Sodium 106, Carbohydrate 9.1, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 3.5, Protein 12.3
ROAST LEG OF LAMB-ARMENIAN STYLE!
I figured that pleasing my guests was just as important as pleasing me. With this recipe I actually pleased all of us. I must say that this was the best leg of lamb I had ever roasted. It was succulent, tender and very savory throughout. The spices combined very well so as to enhance the flavor of the lamb rather than cover it. We were all very pleased with the meat, and I would certainly serve it again. ARMENIAN POWER!
Provided by Mark Marcarian
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h2m
Yield 1/2 lb. per person.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Mix garlic, basil and mint.
- Cut deep slits into the lamb and fill them with the mixture.
- Salt and pepper the lamb.
- Sprinkle with dried rosemary and top with the sliced onions.
- Cover with aluminum foil and roast in a 350F oven, about 1/2 hour per pound of lamb.
- Remove the foil for the last 1/2 hour of cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 102.9, Fat 0.2, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 8.8, Carbohydrate 24.5, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 9.5, Protein 2.5
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality lamb or beef. If using lamb, choose a cut with a good amount of fat, such as shoulder or leg. If using beef, choose a chuck roast or stew meat.
- Brown the meat well before adding it to the stew. This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming tough.
- Use a variety of spices to flavor the stew. Common spices used in Iranian cooking include turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom.
- Simmer the stew for at least 2 hours, or until the meat is tender. The longer you simmer the stew, the more flavorful it will be.
- Serve the stew with rice or flatbread. You can also garnish it with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley.
Conclusion:
This Iranian lamb or beef khoresht e karaf is a delicious and flavorful stew that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of tender meat, fragrant spices, and rich tomato sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try.
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