Khoresht Ghaimeh ~ Persian Stew with Meat & Split Peas

The first dish that I would like to talk about is by far one of my most favorites: Khoresht Ghaimeh. This is a delicious blend of meat, split peas, tomatoes, and spices topped with French Fries.  Not only this dish is really good, it is also a very easy one to make.  What I also love about this dish is the simplicity of the ingredients and how well they go together.  I have made this recipe a few times a it has been a hit with our guests.

Without any further ado here is the recipe:

1 lb of meat - this can be any kind you may like, during this cooking demo I used lamb

2 medium onions diced

4 cloves of garlic minced

3 Persian Lemons

2 cans (14.5oz) of stewed tomatoes diced

1/2 cup of split peas

1 tbls of tomato paste

4 tbsp of olive oil

1/2 tsp turmeric

2 tsp advieh

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 cup of French Fries

Let’s start cooking now!

Warm a Dutch-oven on medium flame and once hot add oil. Make sure that the oil is well distributed and then add onion and garlic

Cook onion and garlic until translucent. In my opinion this is a very important step because you are allowing the the onion and garlic to release their inner goodness. Persians call this step “taft”

Throw in the meat and let it brown for a few moments. This is an important step because you are sealing in the meat flavor

Once the meat has been browned add the turmeric. Look at the color, so vibrant! Give it all a few stirs allowing for the turmeric to release its flavor once it hits the oil and heat.

Now also add the Persian Lemons, add 5 cups of water, throw in some salt and pepper for seasoning, cover and cook for 1 hour. During this step you are essentially making your own meat broth for this stew.

Add tomato cans, split peas, tomato paste, and advieh. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

While your stew cooks give it a stir every so often to make sure that the bottom does not stick. Also adjust for seasoning as you cook. One thing is sure though, by now your kitchen smells heavenly!

About 15 minutes before you are planning to serve your food cook the French Fries. Now, you can totally be ambitious and make your own French Fries from scratch. More power to you if you do. Your other option is to buy a bag of frozen French Fries and go to town with it. I like to bake mine which always come out very good.

Take a cookie sheet and spray it with some olive oil and place French Fries on top –you might want to add a few extra than necessary because you will be tempted to take a few and eat them! Bake at 400 ° for about 7 minutes on each side.  Take out of the oven and sprinkle with salt.

Once the Khoresht is done place it in a serving bowl and top with French Fries. Serve over rice.