Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi
A deeply aromatic herb and kidney bean stew with tender lamb, slow-cooked until the greens turn silky and the broth turns almost black with flavour. This is the dish most Iranians call their national comfort food.
⏱ 120 minServes 4Persian
Ingredients
- •1.5 lb bone-in lamb shoulder or stewing beef, cut into 2-inch pieces
- •1 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight
- •2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- •1 cup fresh chives or green onions, finely chopped
- •½ cup fresh or 3 tbsp dried fresh fenugreek leaves or dried fenugreek (kasuri methi)
- •1 large yellow onion, diced
- •3 dried limes (limoo amani), pierced with a fork
- •1 tsp turmeric
- •½ tsp ground black pepper
- •1½ tsp salt
- •4 tbsp vegetable oil
- •2 cups water or low-sodium beef broth
Directions
- 1Sauté diced onion in 2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat until deeply golden, about 12 minutes.
- 2Add meat and turmeric; brown on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- 3In a separate pan, fry the chopped herbs in remaining 2 tbsp oil over medium heat, stirring often, until darkened and fragrant, about 15 minutes — do not skip this step.
- 4Add the fried herbs, drained kidney beans, pierced dried limes, salt, and pepper to the meat pot.
- 5Pour in water or broth; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- 6Cover and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the stew is very dark and thick.
- 7Taste and adjust salt; discard dried limes or squeeze their juice into the stew before serving.
- 8Serve over saffron rice or plain basmati.
💡 Dried limes (limoo amani) are sold at Middle Eastern grocery stores; substitute 2 tbsp fresh lime juice plus ½ tsp lime zest added at the end if unavailable. Dried fenugreek (kasuri methi) is available at most Indian grocery stores or the international aisle of large Canadian supermarkets.
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