**Khoresh-e Fesenjan: A Symphony of Flavors in Every Bite**
Embark on a culinary journey to Persia with Khoresh-e Fesenjan, a jewel of Iranian cuisine. This enticing stew captivates the senses with its rich, complex flavors and enticing aroma. Chicken or duck meat simmers in a velvety sauce of ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and a myriad of aromatic spices, creating a harmonious balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Accompanied by fluffy basmati rice, each bite of Khoresh-e Fesenjan is a symphony of textures and flavors that will transport you to the heart of Persia. This article presents a collection of carefully curated recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved dish. From traditional methods using whole walnuts to modern variations with store-bought walnut flour, these recipes cater to diverse culinary preferences and skill levels. Discover the art of creating this Persian masterpiece and elevate your taste buds to new heights.
FESENJAN (PERSIAN POMEGRANATE CHICKEN)
Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew made with chicken breasts or thighs that are slowly cooked with ground toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses.
Provided by Elise Bauer
Categories Dinner Stew Chicken Chicken Stew Pomegranate Stew Walnut
Time 2h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Toast and grind the walnuts: You can toast the walnuts in one of two ways. You can either spread them out in a single layer in a large skillet, and toast them on medium high heat, stirring frequently until lightly toasted, OR you can spread them out in a single layer in a baking rimmed baking sheet, and toast at 350°F in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. In either case, once toasted, remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, pulse in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
- Brown the chicken pieces on all sides: In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, pat the chicken pieces dry again and place the chicken pieces in the pan, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle the chicken with salt while they are cooking.
- Sauté the onions: Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken from the pan, set aside. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Lower the heat to medium low. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until translucent, stirring on occasion to release the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add chicken and stock: Return the chicken pieces to the pan with the onions. Pour 2 cups of chicken stock over the chicken and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- Add ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, spices, cover and cook: Stir in the ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, and spices. Cover and cook on very low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes or so to prevent the walnuts from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and adjust sugar/salt to taste. At this point the chicken should be fall apart tender.
- Serve: Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve over parsi pulao or other favorite rice. Links: Slow cooker pomegranate chicken salad from Lydia of The Perfect Pantry
Nutrition Facts : Calories 568 kcal, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 148 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 375 mg, Sugar 23 g, Fat 37 g, ServingSize Serves 6-8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
KHORESH-E FESENJOON (PERSIAN CHICKEN STEW WITH POMEGRANATE AND WALNUTS)
Fesenjoon hails from the verdant northern Iranian hills and coast, where pomegranate and walnut trees grow. Taking its flavor cues from the land, this stew braises bone-in chicken thighs in a blend of toasted walnuts, pomegranate juice and pomegranate molasses. As the sauce cooks, it thickens and deepens to a shade of dark brown similar to that of mole poblano. You'll need to thin it out with water to prevent it from becoming overly sticky and syrupy. The sweet and sour flavors of the pomegranate, along with the silky texture the walnuts bring to the stew, make it one of the most elegant dishes in Persian cuisine.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories poultry, soups and stews, main course
Time 3h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread walnuts out on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown inside, about 12 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Remove chicken skin and discard or save for another use. In a large bowl, season the chicken with turmeric, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
- Set a large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot, add oil and carefully lay chicken thighs into the pot in a single layer. It is crucial to leave space between the pieces to allow steam to escape, so brown chicken in batches if necessary. Cook until browned on both sides, flipping halfway through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Add onion to pot with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring regularly, until soft and golden brown, 16 to 18 minutes.
- In a food processor, grind the cooled walnuts as finely as possible without turning them into a paste. (Alternatively, you can chop the walnuts as finely as possible by hand.) Add 2 cups pomegranate juice and 1/4 cup molasses to the walnuts and continue blending until you have a very smooth paste.
- Add the walnut paste and remaining pomegranate juice to the pot. Season with salt and partly cover with a lid. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 2 hours. If the sauce begins to stick, stir in 1/4 cup water. The sauce will thicken and change color as it cooks, turning a deep, dark brown, similar to mole poblano.
- Add the saffron, and taste the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and pomegranate molasses as needed. The sauce should be delightfully sweet and sour, so add up to 2 teaspoons sugar, if needed, if it's too tart.
- Add the chicken to the sauce and simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until chicken is falling off the bone. Keep stirring regularly - the sauce should be thick, but not so thick that it sticks to the bottom of the pot, so add a splash of water as needed to prevent burning. Use a large spoon to skim away any walnut oil that has pooled on top of the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning, transfer to a serving dish and garnish with a sprinkling of fresh pomegranate seeds. Serve hot, with Persian rice, mast-o khiar and salad-e Shirazi if you like.
SLOW COOKER KHORESH-E FESENJAN
Khoresh-e Fesenjan is an Iranian stew with chicken, pomegranate syrup and ground walnuts which is perfect for the slow cooker. Depending on how big your chicken is and how sweet you like the sauce, use more or less pomegranate syrup.
Provided by leila
Categories Asian Recipes
Time 5h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Rub chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken in batches from all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Set aside.
- Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the same skillet and saute onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cinnamon, and cardamom and cook for 3 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Cook until liquid starts to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Add walnuts and cook everything into a thick paste, about 10 minutes. Add chicken pieces, pomegranate syrup, and honey and mix well. Add to a slow cooker and sprinkle with saffron. Cover with a lid.
- Cook on Low until chicken is no longer pink at the bone, about 4 hours. Remove chicken from pot and debone. Shred meat with 2 forks and return to the slow cooker. Cook on High uncovered until sauce thickens, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with pomegranate seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 870.4 calories, Carbohydrate 62.7 g, Cholesterol 89.8 mg, Fat 56.9 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 33.2 g, SaturatedFat 10.7 g, Sodium 401.5 mg, Sugar 54.3 g
KHORESHT FESENJAAN (CHICKEN WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE)
This is a well-known Persian dish of chicken with a pomegranate and walnut sauce. Khoresht Fesenjan should be served with white rice.
Provided by PFEIFFER
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 3h50m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir in sliced onions; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.
- Raise heat to medium-high. Add chicken pieces, and fry until lightly browned on the outside. Pour in the water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, adding more water if necessary to keep the mixture from drying out.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (65 degrees C).
- Combine the walnuts and pomegranate juice in the container of a blender or food processor. Process into liquid. (This can be done in small batches if necessary.) Add walnut-pomegranate mixture to the simmering chicken. Season with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron powder, and salt. Stir in the cubed squash. Transfer the entire mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Bake, loosely covered, for 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. Serve with white rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 742.5 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 85.1 mg, Fat 51.8 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 28.6 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 281.1 mg, Sugar 28.8 g
KHORESHT FESENJAN - PERSIAN POMEGRANATE AND WALNUT STEW
A rich and delicious Iranian stew that is very special! It's not the most appealing dish; however, it tastes fantastic. If desired, pomegranate seeds can be added for flavor and presentation. From My Persian Kitchen.
Provided by Barbell Bunny
Categories Fruit
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Toast the walnuts, but make sure they don't burn! Then, cool them on a baking sheet.
- Add the walnuts to a food processor and grind them into a fine texture.
- In a large pot, saute the onion until translucent over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to onion and cook a few minutes.
- Turn chicken pieces after a few minutes.
- Add bay leaves and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook 30 minutes.
- Place another pot over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of flour. Toast it lightly.
- Add 2 cups of water and mix well until lumps disappear.
- Add ground walnuts to the flour-water and stir until water and walnuts are thoroughly mixed. Turn heat to low.
- Make sure you watch your walnuts. As the mixture thickens, it can easily burn.
- Once you see a layer of oil forming on top and bubbling, add pomegranate concentrate and mix well. Season with salt.
- If you find the stew to be too tart, add sugar (teaspoons at a time) until desired taste.
- Add chicken pieces, making sure each piece is submerged in the stew. Cook a few minutes longer so the flavors incorporate and chicken warms through.
- Serve over basmati rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1180.6, Fat 105, SaturatedFat 15.4, Cholesterol 157.9, Sodium 149.1, Carbohydrate 20.3, Fiber 8.3, Sugar 4.2, Protein 50.7
POMEGRANATE STEW WITH CHICKEN (KHORESH FESENJAN)
Chicken, onions, finely processed walnuts, and pomegranate juice are simmered to perfection. The sauce should be as thick as a good chili. Serve with saffron steamed basmati rice. Enjoy! If you prefer, substitute angelica powder for cardamom; instead of pomegranate juice, you can substitute 1/2 cup pomegranate paste diluted in 2 cups water.
Provided by Sepi
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Chicken
Time 2h45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken and onions in skillet, and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in pureed walnuts, salt, pomegranate juice, and cardamom. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. (If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in 1/4 cup warm water.) Mix in sugar, adjust seasoning, and simmer 30 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 784.7 calories, Carbohydrate 95.4 g, Cholesterol 63.8 mg, Fat 39 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 24.4 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 444.7 mg, Sugar 82.5 g
Tips:
- Choose high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh pomegranate molasses and fragrant ground walnuts are key.
- Do not blend the walnut mixture until it is completely smooth. A slightly coarse texture provides a delightful contrast to the smooth sauce.
- If you cannot find barberries, you can substitute dried cranberries or raisins. However, barberries add a unique tartness that is worth seeking out.
- To make the slow-cooker khoresh e fesenjan vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the chicken breasts.
- Serve the khoresh e fesenjan with basmati rice or flatbread for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
This slow-cooker khoresh e fesenjan is a rich and flavorful stew that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet and sour flavors, along with the tender chicken and walnuts, creates a dish that is both satisfying and delicious. With minimal effort and a few simple ingredients, you can create a Persian masterpiece that will impress your family and friends.
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