Best Persian Lamb With Split Peas Recipes

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.

LAMB AND YELLOW SPLIT PEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat butter in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook meat, onion, salt, pepper, and spices, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Add lime juice and water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
• Add split peas and simmer, covered, until peas are falling apart and meat is tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Keep warm, partially covered.
• Peel potato and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Heat 1/2 inch oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry potato in 2 batches, stirring occasionally, until crisp and golden brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer potato with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with salt.
• Fold fried potato into stew just before serving, or serve it on top.

PERSIAN LAMB WITH SPLIT PEAS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pan or flameproof casserole and fry the onion for 3-4 minutes, till golden, stirring occasionally.
• add the meat and cook over high heat for another 3-4 minutes, till browned.
• add turmeric, cinnamon and curry powder and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• stir in the water, season well and bring to a boil then cover and simmer over low heat for about 35 minutes.
• stir saffron into 1 T boiling water.
• add the saffron liquid to the meat with the split peas, dried limes* and tomatoes. Stir well, then simmer covered for a further 35-50 minutes, till meat is completely tender and split peas are soft.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan and saute the potatoes for 10-15 minutes, till cooked and golden.
• lift out the dried lime and discard. spoon the meat on to a warmed serving dish and scatter the sauteed potatoes on top.
• Serve with cooked rice.