Persian Lamb With Split Peas Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• Put the garlic, ginger and almonds and 6 tablespoons of water into the container of an electric blender. Blend until you have a paste.
• Put the oil in a wide, heavy, preferably non-stick pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in just enough meat pieces so they lie uncrowded in a single layer. Brown the meat pieces on all sides, then remove them with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl. Brown all the meat this way.
• Put the cardamom, cloves and cinnamon into the hot oil. Within seconds, the cloves will expand. Now put in the onions. Stir and fry the onions until they turn a brownish color.
• Turn the heat down to medium. Put in the paste from the blender as well as the coriander, cumin and cayenne. Stir and fry this mixture for 3-4 minutes or until it too has browned somewhat.
• Now put in the meat cubes as well as any liquid that might have accumulated in the meat bowl, the salt, the cream and 120 ml of water. Bring to a boil. Cover and turn heat to low and simmer or cook in a preheated oven (180 C), for 1.5 hour until the meat is tender. Stir frequently during this cooking period. Skim off any fat that floats to the top. Sprinkle in the garam masala and mix.
• Note: The whole spices in this dish are not meant to be eaten.
• Persian Curries are served traditionally with flat bread only but we have found that it is perfect with rice or a delicate alternative would is freshly buttered cus cus.