Description
Make an authentic Persian rhubarb stew featuring tender meat balanced with the tartness of fresh rhubarb.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lamb or beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 2 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces (frozen works if thawed)
- 1/2 cup dried yellow split peas (lappeh), rinsed
- 4 cups water or beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the meat, turmeric, pepper, and salt to the pot. Brown the meat on all sides.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the rinsed split peas and water or broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the meat is nearly tender.
- Add the cut rhubarb pieces to the stew. If the stew seems too sour, stir in the optional sugar now.
- Cover and continue to simmer for another 30 to 45 minutes, or until the meat is very tender and the rhubarb has softened but still holds some shape.
- Taste the stew and adjust salt or sugar as needed to achieve your desired sour-savory balance.
- Serve hot, garnished generously with fresh chopped mint and dill.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh rhubarb when available. If using frozen, thaw it first and gently squeeze out excess moisture before adding.
- Serve this stew traditionally over Persian steamed rice (Chelow) to absorb the flavorful broth.
- The sourness of the stew depends heavily on the rhubarb. Taste before serving and add sugar incrementally if the tartness is too strong for your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 90